Page 13 of Shadows in Bloom

“Could I try something?” he asked.

“Sure?” I nodded, though my voice betrayed my hesitancy.

Alandris held out his hand once more, this time as an invitation. “I’d like to see if I can use my magic to help ease you through casting the spell. It is common practice between more advanced Mages and novices attempting stronger spells. This circumstance may prove similar. If your own magic tries to steal too much from you, for whatever reason that is, it is possible mine may be able to act as a supplement.”

I paused a moment before taking his hand in mine. It was still warm, almost hot, as if the flames still lingered just below his skin, threatening to burst forth. The heat of his hand was surprisingly comforting against the coldness of my own. Instead ofwanting to pull away, as I should have, I simply melted into him, intertwining our fingers and waiting for his next instruction.

“When you are ready, go ahead and try to conjure the bird once more.”

After a moment of preparation and another deep breath, I reached inside myself and drew upon my power once more. I pictured the bird gliding through the sky, bobbing in and out of the clouds unfettered. It spread its wings, now much larger, a trail of shadow and smoke left in its wake. A flame shot forth from the bird’s beak, lighting up the dreary sky as it let out a deafening caw. When I opened my eyes, the very same bird was perched there on the ground beside us, looking up at me in wait.

“See?” Alandris chuckled. “You’re a natural. That was quite an impressive display, commanding the bird.”

My mouth dropped, my eyes wide. “What? I wasn’t imagining that entire thing?”

“Of course not. However,” he gently pulled away his hand, “you are definitely consuming too much power to cast such a spell… and by result, mine.” He cracked his fingers and stared into his palm. The same inky black trails that had appeared on my arm had appeared in his hand, slowly fading.

“I’m so sorry,” I sucked in a breath, reaching out to him before quickly pulling away and looking down at my feet. “Are you hurt?”

Alandris placed a hand on my shoulder, and I forced myself to meet his gaze, shoving down the guilt swimming in my chest. “I am not injured; you need not worry. With time, you willimprove in great measures. I am sure of that.” Bringing a finger to his chin, he leaned back on his heels. “Until then, I will act as your personal power dampener of sorts.”

“My—”

“Ah, don’t look so concerned. I merely intend to assist you as I did just now until you are strong enough to go it alone.” He smiled confidently. “It is a long trek to where we are headed, so if you are willing to sacrifice some of your rest time, we should be able to practice on the road. I am certain you will master it by the time we arrive.”

“I am!” I answered too quickly. “I am willing. I don’t want to be a burden on this job.”

“I doubt your friend sees you that way. Nor do I.”

I stared off into the distance. There was that word again. Friend. Kallistra had been generous to allow me to train my magic with a near stranger, not to mention taking the job in the first place. I was struggling to remember that beneath her mantle of Keeper, she was my friend. Especially when she wore that mantle so proudly lately. Kallistra’s role was to protect me at all costs and to help me along the pilgrimage to ‘master’ my power. To save our people. Everything else came secondary or not at all, friendship included.

“Nairu?” Alandris’ voice startled me back to awareness.

“Yes, sorry. Well, regardless. I’d like to be of as much help as possible.” I returned my gaze to him, kicking myself for fumbling my words, and offered my appreciation. “Thank you for doing this.”

“It is my pleasure.” Alandris turned around, alerted by the sounds of branches crunching beneath booted feet from behind them. “They must have heard us speaking of them.”

Kallistra and Zorinna had come into view in the clearing, their expressions blank. “How did it go?” Kallistra questioned Alandris, her eyes fixed only on me, scanning up and down.

I shot a pleading look to Alandris, praying he wouldn’t tell Kallistra about the pain I’d felt utilizing my magic. Or the fact it had left temporary marks. Or the fact I’d almost fallen unconscious. I noticed him look at me out of the corner of his eye before turning his attention back to Kallistra.

“It went great!” Alandris beamed. “Nairu is a natural talent. She only needs a bit of fine tuning, and she will be well on her way to surpassing me.”

“Very humble you are,” Zorinna snorted, rolling her eyes.

“Humble?” Kallistra cocked her head.

“Alandris is working toward the title of Arch Magus. You have chosen a fine teacher, but don’t expect her to best him in battle anytime soon.”

“Oh?” Kallistra flashed a sly smile. “I’m glad to know we have someone so capable on our side, but to battle Nairu, he’d have to get through me.”

“Kalli…” I whined. I was glad the conversation had turned away from my training, but I didn’t want to see a spar.

Alandris held up both hands and laughed. “I surrender. I wouldn’t want to be on the opposite end of one of your many, many knives.”

“Noticed those, did you?”

“How could I not?” Alandris glanced between Zorinna and Kallistra. “Now, don’t keep us in suspense. Did you manage to find another helping hand to join us?”

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