Page 18 of Raven Rebel (Sablewood #1)

Brenna

“F

ocus,” Tayen coached, and Brenna’s skin heated. She was never one to get angry, but frustration burned hot in her bones.

“I am focusing,” she gritted out. The sparks in her hands solidified into a single flame once more, but she could not hold it for long, and it dissipated into smoke.

Growling, she stalked away and sat with her back against the wall. All of the furniture had been removed to avoid her accidentally lighting upholstery on fire.

Meara appeared in the doorway, worry written in every line of her face. “Are you well?”

Her hand swept out, gesturing at Tayen. “This faerie thinks I can sustain a flame in my hand as if I am a hearth.”

Tayen laughed, flaming curls shaking with the movement. “I’m confident you can do this, but it will take time to build up stamina. Meara, would you like to stay for a while? I think she could use some encouragement and you should work on accessing your own craft, no?”

Groaning, Brenna pushed up to stand. Meara hovered in the corner, watching her as she arched her back and shook out her hands. Anything to clear the burn that felt like overused muscles.

“Instead of heat, let’s focus on the light,” Tayen said, pacing back and forth in front of her.

She flexed her fingers, calling forth the buzzing feeling from her blood.

She focused on the bright feeling, shoving away the sensation of warmth.

It fought her, the flames wanting to emerge.

Her throat ached as she sucked down another lungful of air and waged the internal battle.

Bit by bit, she drew out the light. Through her eyelids, she could see luminescence.

“Good. Don’t contain it to your hands. Let it spread. There is no reason to make this task more difficult than necessary.” Tayen’s words relaxed a piece of her control, and Brenna felt the lightness flood her veins, up her arms, throughout her chest, up into her cheeks. “Excellent.”

Her eyes fluttered open and the glow to her skin faded.

Tayen’s feet halted and he grinned at her. “Did you feel the difference in containing it as opposed to letting it fill you up? There are times for both. But you are doing so well.”

A flush painted her cheeks and she glanced at her sister. Meara’s eyes were on her, but a frown marred her face. “How is it going?” Brenna crossed the space and reached out to touch her sister’s shoulder.

“Poorly. ”

“Why?” Her voice pitched higher and Meara’s lashes fluttered as she rolled her eyes and smiled.

“It’s nothing. But no matter how I try, there seems to be nothing magical within me. I don’t feel anything, so how can I use it?”

Brenna looked to Tayen, her eyes begging. “What else can she try?”

Shrugging, Tayen crossed his arms. “Perhaps emotion, or simply time.”

“Emotion?” Brenna canted her head.

“Yes, like perhaps if she is upset, it will bring it forth. Or scared, or joyful. It can vary.”

“I’ve been plenty angry and frightened since arriving,” Meara said darkly.

“Then maybe you’ll need to find some joy,” Brenna said with a wink. She shimmied her shoulders and turned back to Tayen.

“Let’s work on elevating a light. That’s something I’ve always wished I could do,” Tayen said.

She shook out her hands, exhaled slowly, and drew on that flickering flame under her skin. Sweat prickled over the back of her neck as she drew out the light, leaving the heat burning within her. Once she held it in her hand, she looked up.

“Try to raise it up a ways, and then higher if you can,” Tayen urged. The light reflected in his marigold eyes.

Her jaw clenched as she focused, but the sound of voices pulled her attention away. The light dimmed, withering around the edges. Her efforts wavered, and she allowed it to fade. Scowling, Brenna turned to peer over her shoulder.

Tayen’s sister, Ayala, leaned against the doorway, smirking as she spoke with Meara. From her stiff posture and the way her hands slid into her pockets, Brenna could tell her sister was angry. Brenna opened her mouth to call out, but Meara was brushing past Ayala and out the door.

The anger was back, embers sparking into a flame in an instant. Brenna stormed toward Ayala. “What did you say to her?”

The beautiful faerie shrugged. “I merely encouraged her to unveil her magic.”

“Bullshit,” Brenna spat.

“You are dreadfully angry,” Ayala observed. A single, thin eyebrow arched. “You may want to be cautious with anger and fire craft.” With a flutter of flame colored hair, she slipped through the door.

“She is correct,” Tayen said softly. Brenna whirled to scowl at him. “Your emotions influence your craft, but your craft also influences your emotions. You are quite literally heated right now.”

The anger spiraling inside of her dropped off with the realization. Pressing her palm to her chest, she swallowed. “I’ve never been someone who got angry like this.” She blinked, brows furrowing as she sought his gaze. “How do I keep this from happening?”

Tayen’s smile was understanding and gentle. “Practice.”

“Splendid.”