Page 69 of Princess Redeemed

I hold back surprise when it wobbles.

Must continue focusing.Can’t let it stop.

I harness the love inside me, continue my journey.For that’s what this is.A journey.A continuation of finding my role in this world.

Rise.

Rise.

Rise.

The stone wobbles again, and this time it rises from the ground, like a baby bird taking its first flight.

Pride fills me, but I tamp it down.

Must concentrate.

Rise.

Rise.

Rise.

Come to me.

A moment later, the stone sits in my outstretched hand.

I let out a breath, finally relaxing my concentration.

“See?”Elara smiles.“You’re learning.Now, let go of it and keep it suspended.Still your mind.Control isn’t about force.It’s about harmony—harmony with everything around you.The air, the flora, the fauna.Everything is connected.Harmony.”

Harmony, I say in my mind as I focus once more.

Rise.

Rise.

Rise.

The stone wobbles in my palm and then hovers above my flesh.I drop my arm to my side, never moving my gaze—my concentration—from the object.

I can’t help a small smile.

“Hannah”—Alara’s voice is stern—“be proud of your accomplishment, but don’t let euphoria cloud your concentration.”

I nod slightly, swallowing down the pride that threatens to mar my focus.

The stone stays aloft.

“Control is a delicate balance,” Alara says.“Too much, and you break.Too little, and you will unravel.”

“Balance,” I say softly.

The small stone wobbles in the air.I focus.This is like a dance on the edge of a blade.Like a tightrope.Both exhilarating and terrifying.

“Balance requires embracing both parts of your dual nature,” Alara continues.“Your human half can easily fall prey to emotion.Don’t let it.Use that emotion and the power it gives you to help you conquer the power of your vampire half.Embrace everything about who you are, Hannah, and you will find power you never dreamed possible.”

Her reminder of my vampire roots causes the craving for blood to nibble at my consciousness.Rather than pushing it away, I let it in, force it toward the hovering stone.