Page 95 of The Rose in the Shadows

Wasn’t that my very power? To move things? Iris had once explained to me that all magic involved manipulations. We had always assumed I could manipulate physical things in the world, but just hours ago, I had moved souls from this life to the next. Was it possible that my abilities extended far past the physical world? Who’s to say that when I tapped into that well of power inside me, I couldn’t just as easily manipulate a person’s body or consciousness as easily as I could now move apples on mountains?

Perhaps I could justmovethe memory back to where the boy could access it?

“I can get the name,” I announced as every eye turned to me.

The Dragon didn’t bother to hide his disdain for me or my suggestion as he looked me over. I suspected my display ofpower in the Grand Hall had put him on edge. He had distrusted me long before he knew I could kill with nothing more than a magical whim. Perhaps he was afraid of me now.

Perhaps he should be.

But if I was the only one that could do this, he would have to learn to trust me. And if he couldn’t, I would invite him to stop me.

“How?” Councilor Gregory questioned.

I stepped forward, aware of Clay tensing beside me.

“Truthseekers force us to bring memories to the front of our minds. These boys’ memories are stuck behind a walltheycan’t pass. But perhaps I can move it for them.”

“You better be sure,” the Dragon warned, voice low. “Are you aware that when Truthseekers attempt to push past compulsions, the victim dies?”

My heart thumped heavily, and I couldn’t help but glance towards the boys. Ihadn’tknown that. There had already been so much death, either through my hand or because of me. Was I willing to risk even more?

The boy on the end, likely the oldest, sat up straighter and nodded at me. He was perhaps seventeen or eighteen, with copper hair and the shadow of a beard just beginning to show.

“Do it, m’lady,” he commanded. “If I must risk death to keep my kingdom safe, then that is a small price to pay.”

The Dragon rolled his eyes but waved his hand at me, inviting me to move forward.

“It’s too soon," Clay protested, grasping onto my hand and pulling me back. "You’re not strong enough to use magic again yet. You still need time to rest, Thea.”

I felt the eyes of the room on us, on our connected hands. I felt their curiosity and suspicion wash over us and wondered if Clay felt it, too. Did he even care? Or had Clayton Vail finally found something he would sacrifice his princely responsibilities for?

My stomach soared as I stared into his grey eyes. His jaw was tight, brows furrowed, and his grip on my hand was tight. He was worried for me. And that made me feel… well, I didn’t know how to describe what that made me feel. But I tugged on my hand, regardless.

“I want answers to this as much as anyone, Clay, and I know I can get them. This isn’t just my life at risk anymore. It’s my duty to do whatever I can to protect my people. I hope you can understand that.”

He was silent and while his fingers twitched, as if he was ready to let go, his shoulders still inclined towards me. For months, I’d hated Clay for his devotion to duty above all else, but now I was asking him to prioritize it above me. I was begging him to prioritize his duty –ourduty – over me and whatever he may feel for me.

And though it looked like it pained him, he released my hand.

I wanted to ignore how hard that had been for him.

I wanted to thank him for it.

I wanted to turn away from him.

I wanted to run into his arms.

Truthfully, I simply wanted the things I couldn’t have.

My steps were slow and timid as I approached the boy. Without thinking, I bent down and kissed each of his cheeks in a silent show of gratitude. I may not understand everything about my powers, but I knew, without doubt, that this would hurt him, and for that, I was sorry. But not sorry enough to stop myself from doing it.

With a deep breath, I closed my eyes, grasped the boy’s shoulders, and let loose the tether on my powers. I let its electricity rush over me, feeling it first in my belly until it climbed over my chest and poured into my arms and legs. It traveled into the very ends of my fingers and toes until I questioned whether those around me could see the shimmeringenergy that swarmed me. And though I was about to hurt a young boy and give everyone in this kingdom another reason to distrust how dangerous my powers could be, that didn’t stop me from marveling at how alive it all made me feel.

The only time I truly felt comfortable with myself was when I let this mass of magical energy rush over me so completely.

This power may be dangerous and unheard of, but I was born to use it.

I pushed it towards the boy until I felt it wrap around him, connecting me to him as easily as it had connected me to all those servants in the Grand Hall. I was only slightly aware of his shudder as I explored him and finally coiled my magic like an iron-fist around his mind.

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