Page 84 of Fated

Ash shrugged. “I’m not really sure. Besides my mind tricks, all I’ve ever been able to muster are these small puffs of smoke, and even that takes immense concentration.”

“The curse, it’s holding the rest of your magic back,” I muttered, realizing just how deeply the curse was affecting him.

He nodded in agreement.

I thought about the golden river of magic inside of me. “I can sense my magic too, like a golden river, flowing inside me. When you first told me to let it in, there was a gate—or a dam—keeping it out. I held that dam open until that space inside of me had filled with magic, and then I let go, and the dam slammed shut, sealing my magic inside.”

He nodded in understanding, though his expression was serious.

”Areya, you need to be careful with your power until we know more about how it works. Lilly told Madam Pearl how strong your magic felt last night, and Madam Pearl said it was vital for you to master control over it.”

He ran his hand through his hair. “The way she explained it, the power truly is a living thing, and if you don’t control it, it will try to overpower you. Too much too fast, and you couldhurt yourself. She said most divine spend their entire early years learning about their magic and how to master control over it. Eventually, wielding your power will become second nature, as easy as breathing, but growing yourself to that level will take time and practice.”

I nodded, swallowing hard, before opening my hand out in front of me, palm up.

But then I hesitated, doubt creeping in, and lowered it again.

Sensing my hesitation, Ash placed his hand underneath mine, lifting it back up. His touch was a grounding presence, reminding me I wasn’t alone in this.

I closed my eyes and searched inside for that glowing river of magic. I could sense its powerful current surging behind the dam that held it back.

Slowly, I concentrated on lifting the dam, imagining a river of light flowing through my body and into my palm. But the moment I lifted the dam, the magic surged through with a force for which I wasn’t prepared. Before there was time to slam the dam shut, magic exploded from my palm, a blinding light and intense heat erupting from my hand.

At the sudden bright flash of light, I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut.

Ash pulled me tightly into him, cupping his hands around mine to shield me from my own raw, untamed power. When the light faded, and all traces of my magic had vanished, my eyes hesitantly opened. Shock reverberated through me, and I gasped.

The smell of burning flesh hit me first and then my gaze dropped to Ash’s hands.

Both palms were severely burnt, the flesh raw and blistered.

“Oh, my God, oh, my God,” I stammered, frantic. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to …”

“Areya!” Ash’s voice cut through my panic, commanding my attention. “It’s ok. Watch.”

I followed his gaze to his palms as new healthy skin began to form, the blisters disappearing until his hands had been restored to their natural, unmarked state.

“How?” I asked, still shaken.

“We heal fast, remember?” he said, shrugging as if it were no big deal.

“But the night you were stabbed …”

“The knife was laced with a rare poison that halts our healing.”

I let out a shaky breath. “Will I heal like that too?”

“You are stronger and faster now, not nearly as clumsy,” he said with a smile. “So, I’d assume you will also heal quickly.”

I couldn’t move, frozen by the nausea welling inside me from my epic failure to control my magic.

“Try again, Areya,” Ash insisted.

“Again? What if I actually hurt you? I don’t know if I can do it, control it. I—I shouldn’t even have this power,” I nearly shouted.

His expression shifted, his eyes flashing with something resembling anger. “I’m so tired of you underestimating yourself. If you could only see yourself the way everyone else does, the way I see you.” His gaze softened, and he lifted my hand again. “The fact you can summon any power at all is a testament to your strength. You controlled your power before you even settled. I would bet my life very few people can say that.”

I looked down at my palm, the fear still simmering, but I swallowed it down.

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