Page 21 of Sun and Stone (Elementally Yours #5)

21. Where The Magic Happens

Getting up at dawn isn't usually my idea of a good time.

For once, I have no complaints. After being released from the hospital and making the necessary arrangements, today's the day I gain magic. Permanently.

I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with the scent of the forest in the morning. Fynn and I made the journey before the sun even rose and now it's waking up as we make our way through Centaur's Landing.

Everything is so crisp and fresh. Maybe Fynn's turning me into a nature lover. This isn't so bad.

The morning light filters through the canopy of trees, though it's still a bit dark as we navigate through the woods. At least it's a lot easier than last time. My companion knows the way by heart, and it's not pitch black, so we don't even need our phones.

And my boyfriend is doing more than just leading the way. If he could, I think he'd carry me. He's settled for gently directing me with an arm at my back and watching out for any pitfalls.

"Watch your step," Fynn says as we make our way up the incline. "Careful, avoid the root."

With him pressed up right next to me and trying to support half my weight, I feel him holding his breath as I step around a gnarled root jutting out from the ground. Should I be offended?

"Come on, cut it out," I reply. "I'm old but I'm not that old."

“You were just released from the hospital.”

"Okay, that's true, but—"

"And do you remember when we did that ritual and how you ran right into a tree? You had a bruise for days."

When he puts it that way, maybe I am the delicate flower he's treating me like. Still, I wave him off, walking on my own. He's sweet, being so concerned. But I wouldn't have been released if I wasn't alright. The trail may be getting steep as we near the top, but we'll make it.

Nothing can get me down today. The whole ordeal with Malcolm, nearly losing Fynn, it's all given me a new perspective and helped me appreciate the things that truly matter. The serene forest around us has never been so beautiful, from the dew-kissed leaves, the birdsong, and the hush of the world waking up. If I were a cartoon character or a Disney princess, I'd burst into song.

"I can feel you hovering," I say as I lead the way.

"Not hovering... I'm just right behind you."

"Are you going to catch me if I fall?"

"Of course—Perry! That doesn't mean you need to throw yourself into my arms!"

Walking on my own two feet turns out to be less exciting than I thought. Why not appreciate what I have? Throwing my arms out, I tip back and trust him to catch me.

Apparently, Fynn doesn't appreciate me forgetting how to walk, but he does hold me up. I'm no Disney princess, but he's a gentleman and basically a Disney prince all grown up and come to life.

"If you're offering to carry me the rest of the way, it would be rude to refuse such chivalry."

"Oh, look at that," he says dryly. "We're here."

We emerge from the trees and reach the rocky ledge. Whoa.

The view of Centaur's Landing unfurls before me like an artist’s masterpiece, vivid and alive. A valley stretches out below as the sunlight gently bathes the treetops in a soft glow. The sky is ablaze in oranges and pinks, and maybe I really will burst into song in a second.

Man, sunrise looks beautiful. And it's so much easier to enjoy the view without a madman plotting dastardly things.

Fynn steps beside me, enjoying the peaceful morning with me. The sun catches in his dark brown hair. Sunlight suits him. It always has, but now that there's a little piece of the sun's essence in him, it's like he's lit from the inside too, and he's absolutely gorgeous as the light shines on and in him.

Fynn tears his eyes away from the view after a moment, watching me uncertainly. “Are you sure you want to do this here? Last time we were here…”

I can’t help but smirk. “I kicked Malcolm’s ass in a very brave and manly fashion? Why would I want to forget something like that?”

“Things worked out in the end, thanks to you, but what happened was awful. I can’t believe you’ve already come back here, let alone… why do you want to brand here?"

"Prevailing over the forces of evil is one of my proudest accomplishments. Gonna brag about it all the time. You’ll probably get sick of hearing the epic tale of how Sexy Perry Defeated the Douchebag.”

Fynn rolls his eyes, but I catch a hint of a smile before he turns serious again. “This place doesn’t have good memories.”

He's right. Choosing to embrace my element here might be odd. It's where one of the worst experiences of my life happened.

But this is also what feels right.

“Maybe not for me,” I admit. “But it does have good memories for you. This is where you wanted to brand, where you did brand. Because you love it here." Forgetting about the scenery, I turn towards him and step closer. "And if we left this place behind and never came back, yes, maybe it would be easier to forget about all the worst parts of that night. But it would also mean your last memories of a place you loved were filled with terror. Malcolm tried to take away so much from us; I don’t want him to succeed.”

“Oh,” he breathes, the weight of my words settling in. Is that a blush on his cheeks? I may have done an impromptu trust fall on our way up here, but he looks like he's the one about to swoon now.

“This place means a lot to you." I take his hands in my own. "It means something to me too now. It’s where you gained magic and I passed my test. It’s beautiful here. And I think it should stay that way for both of us.”

He leans in, kissing me soft and sweet. Guess he agrees. Early mornings filled with the sun and his gentle lips on mine really aren't so bad. I could get used to this every morning.

“I think you’re right,” he whispers against my lips when he pulls back.

“Then let’s make a good memory here.”

Fynn and I put some distance between us so that I can focus. This is it, the moment I've been waiting for. Time to gain my element's blessing.

Feeling the rock under my feet. I take a deep breath, appreciating the moment. One second turns into two... Is something supposed to happen now? I have no idea what comes next.

"Um, what do I do?" I ask. He's done this before.

"Did you plan something? I prepared a ritual."

Oops. "No one told me there was homework."

"Just do what feels natural," he advises.

I cup my hands over my mouth and shout out over the edge. "Hey, Earth! Give me magic!"

Fynn raises an eyebrow. "Really, that's what feels natural to you?"

I shrug. Guess I should have thought about this. I'd been so worried about whether or not magic would be mine permanently. All my focus was on proving myself. I hadn't given any thought to what came next.

Alright, do what feels natural.

I close my eyes, reaching out with my senses and trying to feel all the rock and earth around me. Maybe I should take off my shoes and socks to feel the ledge under my feet—no, that would be too awkward.

With my eyes shut tight, I feel a cool breeze dancing across my face. The sunlight envelops me, not overpowering, gradually announcing its presence and warming my skin. I contemplate how it shines down, bathing the rocky ledge beneath me, gradually transforming the cool stone and warming it bit by bit, and how that heat lingers for a while even in the shadows.

Rock might be my element, but I’ve come to cherish sunlight far more than I ever did before. I’m linked to it now, through my connection with my man. I feel the radiant light as my magic reaches out to the earth beneath me, letting the two elements become all I can feel.

"Is it working?" I whisper.

"Perry," he chides.

"Just asking. I think it's working. Am I supposed to be quiet?"

"It's working," he says, certain.

"Yeah?"

"Open your eyes."

"Whoa."

Staring down at myself, the change is obvious. For a moment, it looks like I'm made of rock, the same color as the rugged granite ledge under my feet. When I bring my hands together, it feels like I'm touching rock.

Then it fades, back to skin. Heat runs across an area under my left shoulder. Something sinks into me and completes me.

This time, there's no need to ask.

I did it. I'm a rockbrand.

Pulling the collar of my shirt down, the mark is there between my heart and my shoulder. A rocky patch of granite that matches the ledge, though it's in the shape of the sun.

Wow. My brand is perfect.

"Perry."

"Yeah, I know," I say. "My eyes are open."

"No, Perry, look to the right."

Doing as he says, I see—oh my god. Just beyond the treeline to the right, a small cluster of centaurs stands, partially obscured by the greenery of the forest. The antlers and how they carry themselves give away that they aren't human.

We freeze, not wanting to spook them. I curse myself internally because it's not like they're deer, but they do seem to avoid humans by choice. They're watching us as curiously as we're watching them. I can’t believe it. They must have been drawn in by the magic swirling around us.

A moment later, branches snap, and then they're gone.

When I turn to Fynn, he's stunned and grinning just like me. Yeah, coming back here was the best choice. Malcolm who? This place will always be special to Fynn and I.