Page 45 of Raven Rebel (Sablewood #1)

Meara

M eara was grateful that Brenna braided her hair into a long rope down her back, because she was already sweating. Wisps of hair clung to her neck and she adjusted the neckline of her tunic.

They followed the summer heir around the side of the estate and down the hillside. Luce’s crew trained in a barren circle with the morning sun beating down.

Vasara waited for them and Luce greeted her warmly. She grinned, her dark skin gleaming a burnished bronze in the strong light. “I’m glad you came. I can’t wait to see what you can do.”

Brenna bit her lip, eyeing the fae female. “What is your magic?”

“Nothing you have to worry about,” she said with a conspiratorial wink. “Luce told me you displayed fire craft at the high court?” Brenna nodded, and Vasara brought her hands up. Frost covered her fingers and she flicked water away as the heat melted it.

“You have ice magic,” Meara said.

With a nod, Vasara explained, “Yes, one of my parents is a frost sprite from the Winter Court.”

“Why do you live in the Summer Court? Is it not uncomfortable for you?”

“I can keep cool better than most, and my mother is from here. She’s more fun to be around than that freezing bastard.” Shrugging, Vasara waved her hand, sending a wave of coolness over the sisters.

“Oh, that feels lovely,” Brenna said, tipping her chin up to cool her neck. “It really is quite warm here. I am concerned that I will require a bath today, but the washroom in our suite has windows near the tub.”

Vasara laughed. “The windows are etched. They look clear from inside, but I promise they are obscured from outside.”

“Truly?”

“Yes, I swear. Take a look.” She pointed up the house, and Meara squinted, scanning the windows until she spotted a smaller one that could have been a bathroom.

Indeed, it looked cloudy and she could not see in clearly.

She located several windows like that. “Don’t take my word for it.

You can look closely at the glass when you return and you’ll see the marks. ”

“Good to know,” Meara muttered.

“Thank you, Vasara.” Brenna said with an embarrassed giggle. “I think you’ve saved me from offending the entire court with my smell. ”

“Brenna!” Meara exclaimed, but her sister only laughed harder. Luce shook his head and turned away while Vasara threw her head back and joined in the laughter.

“We are here to train,” Vasara said, wiping a tear from her eye with the back of her hand. “Fire faerie, you should go work with Luce. He has enough light craft he should be able to show you a few things. And Meara, you are with me.”

Meara went still, watching as Vasara rolled her shoulders and jumped on the balls of her feet, her mass of snowy hair shimmering as she moved.

“I haven’t been able to access my magic consistently,” Meara warned.

Brenna brushed past her and murmured, “Give it another try. You’ll figure it out.”

“What can you do?” Vasara asked, beginning to pace before her.

Meara swallowed, wiping her sweaty palms along her trousers. “I’ve summoned shadows a few times, but not often. Or even on command, really.”

“What about under pressure?” Vasara asked.

Shaking her head, Meara admitted, “We were attacked by human raiders and I could do nothing.”

“Then let’s spar. We can get your body moving, relax your mind, and see what happens.” Vasara didn’t wait for confirmation, but swept her foot out.

Startled, Meara leapt, landing hard on both feet.

She overbalanced and raised her arms to catch her balance.

The ice faerie moved in quick, swinging with her hand as if she held a blade.

Meara blocked but was pushed back a step.

Vasara slowed, allowing Meara to loosen and begin to meet her blows.

Soon, she was swinging and kicking too, the physicality of it bringing a smile to her face.

Vasara turned, gaining some distance. She waved a hand and summoned a blade of ice.

Water dripped from the tip, but it would pierce all the same.

Meara sucked in a breath, refusing to let surprise paralyze her.

Vasara swung for her, and as Meara pushed her back, Vasara said, “Call your shadows. Do it, now!”

Meara blinked, trying desperately to reach inside of herself and find something that had been absent every other time. Vasara moved faster, shoving her back. Meara threw up her arms to block, and Vasara pushed her down, holding the knife over her as water dripped onto her chest and down her neck.

“Nothing?” Vasara said, disappointment drawing out her word as she gracefully rose.

“No,” Meara said, scrambling to her feet. She raised her fists, unsure if Vasara would come at her again. The blonde faerie turned away, chewing on a long nail while she thought.

Brenna held a ball of light and slowly the brightness widened until Meara could not look in her direction.

She fisted her hands against her thighs, wanting to scream.

Her sister would advance in her magic and gain more respect until she wouldn’t even want Meara in the same room.

She would be the magical dud, shunned and alone.

When the light faded, Meara looked up to see her sister frowning at her, pity in her eyes. Meara’s anger doubled. Behind her, Luce watched with a detached curiosity, and beside him, Harin folded his arms. All three approached Meara, and she forced her hands to relax.

Luce spoke first, his low voice rough. “What were you feeling when you summoned shadows at the high court on the balcony?”

Brenna’s head tilted, one eyebrow rising.

“Nothing,” Meara said. “It was dark, and I was upset. But it wasn’t intentional.”

Luce frowned, turning to Harin. His friend nodded and said, “Meara, I think I can help. Our craft may work in similar ways. Are you willing to try?”

“I have been trying,” Meara said, her shoulders taut. She wanted to get out of here. The sun was too bright, making her eyes water, and everyone was surely judging her failure as they wielded their magic craft effortlessly.

Brenna squeezed her hand. “Give him a chance. You’re about to have a breakthrough, I can feel it.”

“Are you a seer now?” Meara snapped, instantly regretting the hurt in Brenna’s eyes. Her sister smiled and took a quick breath. “I’m sorry, Brenna. I’ll try.”

Luce and Brenna retreated, leaving Harin facing her. He stood a head taller, and she scowled as he drew nearer, forcing her to look upward. His face was stoic but gentle. “Can you feel your magic within yourself?”

Meara’s eyes narrowed. “Not really.” She looked him up and down. “What are your abilities?”

“Illusion.” His answer came without hesitation.

“Like what?” Meara tilted her head.

The corner of Harin’s mouth pulled up into a smirk as he raised a hand. Meara jolted as the people around them disappeared and she stood alone in the sparring ring with Harin. Feeling panic rising, she took a shaky breath and confirmed, “This isn’t real.”

Harin’s hand dropped and the illusion evaporated.

“Well that has to be useful in certain situations,” Meara muttered. He chuckled. “So how can you help me when no one else could? Because I’ve been trying and trying and I’m starting to think it’s hopeless.”

“Stop,” he said, his voice dropping. She looked up, her stomach churning at the understanding in his eyes.

“For most faeries, their craft comes from within. Fire or ice in their blood, and it fights to come out. For me, there is nothing - until I use it. Only then can I feel the energy. So what do you feel when you summon shadows?”

She dragged her teeth over her bottom lip, trying to remember. “It was cold. Well, not really. It felt uncomfortable in the same way being cold is uncomfortable. Hurt a little.”

“That’s your magic.”

“So how can I summon it when I desire?”

He shrugged. “That depends on you, we are all different. But start by reaching outside of yourself.”

She remembered how her shadows came at night when darkness surrounded her.

If it didn’t come from within her, maybe it was from beyond her body and mind.

Eyes squeezing shut, Meara turned her inward focus out, searching for any buzz of magic around her.

Her inhale sucked in through her teeth, the sensation of magic all around her roaring to life.

She could feel Brenna’s bright, burning magic, something cool and sleek within Vasara, and a steady healing light from Luce.

Wisps of magic clung all around her, and when she reached for them, they came to her.

Her eyes opened, and her mouth fell open as the whispers of shadows swirled around her palm.

“How about that?” Harin said, holding his arms and stepping back. Meara basked in his proud grin.

“Meara!” Brenna squealed, clapping her hands. “Look at that! You're incredible. ”

As her attention moved from the magic in her grasp to her sister’s beaming smile, the shadows faded and fell away entirely. She frowned, but Brenna threw her arms around her. “That was amazing. You can do it again and again until it’s easy.”

“That sounds exhausting,” Meara muttered. Already a heaviness hung over her limbs. “I need a nap now.”

Luce stepped closer, his brow furrowed. “You summoned them, but will they be of any aid to you in a fight?” He withdrew a spear from his back, not the golden shining spear from the high court, but a simple wood and steel spear like any guard might hold.

He tossed it to her, and held out his hand. Vasara tossed another to him.

Meara gripped the length of the spear, feeling the worn wood under her fingers. Luce stalked sideways, and she had to turn to keep him from circling her.

“If you can’t summon your craft when it counts, it is useless to you.” He darted forward, bringing his weapon down. She blocked him, but the force shoved her back a pace, her heels digging into the dirt.