Page 73 of Queen of Ever

‘Yes.It did not help.’

‘I think the problem you’ve been having is in the approach.Most elemental affinities are about controlling the element.You have to focus outwards, on the thing you’re trying to bend, like the water in this river.But if your magic really is creation, then you’re not working with what’s already around you.Your focus is internal as you build something from scratch.Does that make sense?’

‘Sort of,’ she said, staring at the river.‘So with the ice, I wasn’t freezing the water in the air—’

‘—you were creating it from nothing,’ I finished for her.‘It comes from you.’

‘But why do I keep creating ice?Do you think I can create other things too?’

‘I guess it’s what your rage felt like most.Your emotions will have a lot to do with how your magic manifests, and I suspect there will be a lot more finesse to it than there is with mine.I destroy things.There’s only one result, and it’s tied to my most destructive emotions.But yours will probably work a little different.’

‘Different how?’

‘Are you able to feel your magic, to connect with it even if you can’t make it do what you want?’

‘Yes, I think so.It’s a sort of… hum that wasn’t there before.’

‘Okay, let’s try something.Close your eyes.’

‘I thought you said you weren’t going to make me meditate.’

‘I’m not.I just want you to find that hum.Hone in on it and let it rise.’

She huffed a sigh, blowing a lock of hair out of her face, and closed her eyes.I studied her face while we sat in silence, the smooth lines of it, the way her eyelashes sat against her cheeks, the shape and colour of her mouth, pink and full and soft.

‘I can feel you staring at me,’ she said, eyes still closed.

‘I can’t help it.You’re beautiful.’

She failed to smother a smile.It creased her mouth, her eyes, making her even more beautiful.‘You’re distracting me.Cassian is beautiful, stare at him.’

I snorted, shooting a glance at the figure of Ethan’s suspicious brother, who was still watching us like he had no concept of privacy.Surely, he could find something else to look at.

After a few more moments, Imogen seemed to settle, relaxing.‘Okay,’ she said, ‘I’ve got it.’Her eyes shot open when I took her hand.‘What are you doing?’

‘Keep your eyes closed,’ I said.‘Stay with your magic.’She shut her eyes again, inhaled a deep breath and blew it out slowly.I turned her palm up.Lightly, I ran my fingertips over her skin, tracing the lines of her palms, the many branches and creases of someone who often clenched her hands.Stroked the valleys between her fingers.‘Once you can feel the way it rises and bends with your feelings, you can begin to see how it responds to you.It’s almost like leading it.’I danced my fingers up her arm, caressed the hollow at the bend of her elbow.Smiled when I caught sight of the first flash of colour.‘Look.’

Imogen opened her eyes and gasped as she looked around.We were surrounded by bubbles, hundreds of them drifting through the air, gleaming with streaks of rainbow where the light caught them.‘Did I make those?’

‘Did you realise you were doing it?’

‘I could kind of feel something sort of… becoming around me in little bursts.If that makes sense.’Some of the light dimmed in her face.‘But bubbles aren’t going to help us.’

‘They’re a start.Try again, but this time see if you can focus more on what that sense of becoming is shaped like, see if you can visualise what it is you’re moulding the magic into before it appears.’

‘Should I close my eyes again?’

‘For now.Just to help you focus.’

She shut her eyes, and this time I leaned in, caressed her cheek, ran a thumb over her lips.‘There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,’ I murmured.‘I hated myself when you were taken and I still hadn’t been brave enough to say it.’

‘Then tell me.’

‘I’m in love with you.’

Her eyes fluttered open again, and this smile she didn’t try to smother.It was so bright she rivalled the glory of the sun.‘You are?’

‘Madly.’

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