Page 16 of Gift from the Wing

She can barely nod in acknowledgment, but she does manage to take a deep breath. A breath that sucks every bit of air out of the space. The trees bend to her will and on her exhale, they’re forcefully released as though they were strapped down to a catapult. Branches, roots, whole trees crack and some are pulled from the ground as swirling vortexes of air fall from her fingertips.

“Everything’s okay. Don’t try to stop it. It’s okay, filia mea,” I yell repeatedly over the wild winds as she becomes frantic, screaming for it to stop.

Her petrified, watery eyes meet and hold mine, searching, begging for instructions.

“Close your eyes. Close your eyes and picture your ideal home. Everything you’ve ever wanted, think about it. Think about it so strongly, that’s all you can see in your mind. Let the rest go, my girl. Don’t worry about what is happening around you. Do it, Willow,” I order as agonizing sobs tear from her throat. I want nothing more than to release myself and hold her through this, but I can’t. It would be far too dangerous, and she needs to do this on her own.

Holding my breath, I clutch the rope tighter as her shoulders relax and her breathing levels out. The sudden change doesn’t fool me. If there’s one thing certain about my little girl, she can conquer anything. Everything. Even herself. She was a force to be reckoned with before these elements emerged, and she’ll be an even greater force afterward.

This is just her calm before her storm.

“It’s large, but so homey.There’s so much natural light, there’s no need for electricity or chandeliers. The rays of the sun warm my skin as I laze around, reading until my eyes hurt and my heart’s content. There’s always something to learn or an escape, or an adventure in the books. The walls are purple, of course they’re purple. Not bright like my favorite color, though. That might be too much, but a light purple. And there’s a willow tree in the middle of the room with books surrounding it. That’s only one room, but it’ll be my favorite. Aside from my bedroom. I’d like a big bedroom with a magical bathroom…There’s no pain. No hate. No fear. Just home…Yeah, I’d like that a lot,” she says softly with a smile on her face as the pain escapes her for a blissful minute.

When her eyes flash open to meet mine once again, they’re as violet as the Willowrrie flower her mother named her after and I see the beast begging to break free, but it’s not her time yet and she knows it. She’ll be here for her, though.

With a thundering roar, her knees hit the ground and mine do as well as the earth beneath me shakes and trembles violently. The air pouring off her shoves me back until I’m plastered to the tree, barely able to draw in any breaths, and together, the two elements decimate our surroundings. For hundreds of yards around us, the trees crumble as none are strong enough to withstand her power.

Her back bows and her arms stretch out beside her as a flood of water rushes from her palms, burying the fallen trees, bushes, all the foliage in a pond of her own making.

The wild rapids swallow everything whole before settling and sinking back into the earth. The water’s retreat causes a scream, piercing enough to bring tears to my eyes, to belt from her chest.

She rubs furiously at her skin as her blood begins to boil beneath the surface. I hold in my own sobs as her skin begins to bubble, but I refuse to take my eyes off her. I pray, beg, plead with Elementra to let her get through this.

This last one.

Let it free, filia mea.

Flames finally shoot from her fingertips and circle her body as she falls to all fours. When her palms slam into the ground, the fire spreads, drying the land completely until nothingremains but sand. The heat from the fire causes sweat to drip down my back and in seconds, my shirt is drenched, but I don’t dare budge or make any sudden moves toward her just yet.

As the last of the flames crawl back into her hands, with a grunt, she collapses to the ground, and the hold that her power had over the land snaps. It’s an eerie silence. The only noise to be heard right now is our labored breathing, but the sight is breathtaking. Scarily so.

If I hadn’t cast the dome, there’s no telling how far her powers would’ve flowed. There’s no doubt in my mind, Elementra herself bolstered my block.

My sweet girl is far, far more powerful than me.

Pride like no other swells in my chest as with a cough and a muttered ‘shit, that hurt,’ Willow rolls to her back, groaning and covering her eyes with her arm.

After quickly untying myself, I pull two healing vials out of my bag and race to her side.

“Here, filia mea. Drink,” I command lightly, smiling down at her.

“Worst birthday surprise ever,” she groans as I make her sit up.

Guilt nearly rips my heart out at her words because unfortunately, this will be a better remembered birthday surprise one day.

“You did amazing, Willow. I’m so proud of you,” I murmur, choking down my own emotions.

“You have a lot of explaining to do, CC.”

“Yes, yes, I do. But first, I’ll teach you how to grow some grass. I can’t stand the way sand feels when it gets stuck in my shoes.”

With a snort then a gasp, Willow gets her first glimpse at the clearing she created around her willow tree.

Gently unraveling the ivy from around my wrist, I lay my palm on Tillman’s door and smile. One day, he and Corentin will know their creation with that shirt triggered not only her emerging but her bonds’ realization that her Nexus was somewhere out there. It’d protect her, at least emotionally, in a way she could never understand.

Continuing my way down the halls, I allow the surfaces to bring forth my most treasured memories and I command each of them, those I can part with at this time, to filter from me into theMemoria stone.

Entering the lounge, I look around the open space and massive windows that for now only allow me the opportunity to see out and no one else to see in. This wing has become somewhat of a legend amongst the palace. No one’s allowed in but me, and my, does that drive my sister and the boys absolutely nuts.

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