Page 23 of Ecliptic

I nodded, knowing he was right. But it was comforting to pretend everything was fine, if only for one afternoon. Once I looked in the mirror and faced myself, it would all be real.

We made our way to the bathing suite when suddenly, the ground trembled beneath our feet. I grasped onto the nearest tree to keep from falling into Rowen’s arms.

The violent tremors seemed endless as they shook the earth in a deafening grumble. When the ground finally settled, my eyes narrowed. “Erovos.”

“Yes, he has been doing that for months, and they grow stronger still.”

Anger flooded my veins. “It’s as Alvar said: Erovos is fighting for release from the crevice.”

“And from the feeling of that quake, I’d say it won’t be too much longer until he escapes.”

“I need to be ready for when he does,” I said, still holding onto the tree.

Rowen’s gaze lowered to the spots where my fingers dug into the bark; my grip formed two scorched handholds within the wood. Strength appeared to be yet another gift bestowed upon me by the Light.

His eyes met mine, brimming with concern and wonder.

I withdrew my hands from the trunk and continued on in silence, wanting to pretend just a little longer that I was still human.

10

The outdoor bathing suite was a sorrowful sight. The lush foliage had faded, leaving significant gaps in the forest walls, and the water ebbed at dangerously low levels. The white stone bath and cascading waterfalls were mere shadows of their former glory.

The last time I was here, the space overflowed with light and life, and Rowen had been able to touch me. He bathed me, washed my hair, and ran his hands along every inch of my skin—made me come with the touch of his hand. Strange how that felt like a lifetime ago.

Now, we took turns bathing, cautious and separate. I wasn’t a scientist, but it didn’t take one to know that bathing with an electrical conductor was a risk not worth taking.

The sound of trickling water filled the silence between us. Rowen must have sensed I wasn’t ready to talk. Not yet.

Our separation was already proving to be torturous. And with each swipe of the eucalyptus bar, my body felt . . . different.

Finished with our baths, we descended the floating steps and wrapped ourselves in the plush robes that awaited us. We entered the anteroom, a vanity and chair seamlessly carved intothe tree trunk. As much as I wanted to avoid the mirror, I knew it was time to face what the Elder Spirits had done to me. I lifted my eyes and drew in a sharp breath.

I knew I had changed, but the Light had reforged me with more than I could have ever imagined. I brushed the thick forest of my hair back, revealing slender ears that came to a sleek point. Starlit freckles adorned my new ears in what looked like studded diamonds.

I traced the outer shell of my ear in disbelief.What the fuck!

The Wyn had tapered ears and were referred to as elves many times, but mine looked completely different. The Wyn’s ears arched up with a subtle flare like the tip of a leaf, while mine were longer and more tapered.

I moved my face back and forth under the moonlight, my freckles gleaming with afaint, ethereal glow. My silver-grey eyes stared back at me in disbelief. “This is insane. I recognize myself, but I don’t. Why don’t I look like the Wyn?”

“I’ve read stories about the elves from the old world. They were said to have similar features. It could explain your enhanced strength and endurance. But I’m not sure.”

I let out a strangled gasp.

Rowen was right behind me, offering his support through his eyes in the mirror. “There is more, Keira. Lower your robe.”

I let the robe slide to the ground.

I inspected my body, taking in the changes the Alcreon Light had given me. I would have to cut this hair soon. It was way too long. And this morning, I’d bit my nails down to the quick only for them to grow back long and healthy.

The other changes to my body were more subtle. I’d always had a muscular build from running, but now my muscles felt stronger, bigger, yet somehow lighter, more agile. It was an odd sensation, feeling extremely powerful yet on the verge of a complete breakdown.

As my search continued, I noticed a scar on my ribcage. It looked like a swirling galaxy of molten silver upon my skin. My finger traced over it lightly before noticing more marks on my stomach, arms, and legs.

“Those are all the places I healed you with the noxlily,” Rowen said, inspecting my marks. All other blemishes and scars were gone, except where the noxlily petals absorbed into my skin like shimmering tattoos. They were everywhere.

I’d given myself tunnel vision to ignore these obvious changes, but now, the memories flooded back. “The Elder Spirits mentioned Erovos broke my body beyond repair,” I replied, and a tortured sound left Rowen’s lips. “They used the petals as anchor points to bring me back. And now it looks like . . . like I’m . . .”

---