Page 39 of Ecliptic

Suddenly, an idea struck me. There had to be water somewhere. Maybe I could bring it here. Somehow.

Realization hit me like a collision of stars.

The Alcreon Light within me was a celestial, gravitational force. I just had to find where there was water to pull from.

When I’d summoned rain in the past, I was furious and crying and not in control. I had no idea what to do. But I had to try something! The land was so dry it was only a matter of time before one of my bolts of light caused serious damage. “I could try pulling water from somewhere else, but I don’t have much control, and I’m worried I will hurt the village in the process.”

Her eyes tilted to mine, squinting from the sun. “What if you went outside the village?”

My heart lurched. Was she trying to lure me outside the village just like Demil?

Even if she was, she was right. If I couldn’t risk hurting the elves within the village, I would have to try outside it.

Was it wise of me to worry, or did I trust Dyani? She seemed to genuinely want to help. But would I be a fool for leaving Nepta’s protective borders again?

Rowen appeared in the distance. His body moved toward me with a deliberate gait, each step showcasing the grace and power of his muscles. His arms languidly swayed by his sides, grazing past the holstered weapons strapped to his hips. His green eyes, vivid and locked on me, stood out against his dark hair and rugged scruff.

I reveled that every step he took was to close the distance between us, to get closer to me. “You have a look in your eye,” he said as he neared me like an unfolding dream.

A warm glow spread through my chest. He knew me so well. “I have an idea.”

“What now, Copeland?” he asked with a knowing smile.

“During the fire, I summoned a rainstorm. And again, when we were stranded in the cave. I needed laith moss to save you from their venom, but the creature wasn’t dead. To escape it, I jumped over a geyser. Just as the laith leaped after me, the water erupted and dragged the creature down into the river.”

Rowen shot me a concerned glare. I never planned on telling him that part of the story, but here we were. “I asked you if it was dead,” he said as he clenched his teeth.

“I said it was nearly dead,” I offered with a shrug. “Which technically was true. But there were always drinkable water sources nearby or moisture in the air. Do you know of any places left like that?”

“All our water is sourced from the mountain glaciers, but the last time I checked, the water flow was greatly reduced,” Rowen said, sitting to join us. Of course he would know that; he knew this land like the back of his hand, having wandered the forest countless times. “Perhaps we can inspect the main well together,” he added, his voice tinged with both hope and caution. “The shift in our weather patterns is alarming, but where one village can suffer from drought, another can be inundated with floods.”

“I could help balance it out,” I said, feeling optimistic. Just like Althea.

I would do whatever I could to ensure the Wyn didn’t suffer. Dyani said no one blamed me, but nearly the entire village shot dark glances my way. I couldn’t blame them. I’d caused nothing but problems since the day I arrived. Plus, they had seen my ability to do what this village so desperately needed. It ate away at me that I couldn’t protect the elves who had given me so much.

Sitting around chatting about my feelings with Takoda or training with Dyani wouldn’t bring water back to the village. I needed action.

Given that the spirits granted me a stronger body, I should be able to wield the Alcreon Light more efficiently . . . I just had to figure out how.

My inability to control my Light hurt everyone; in more ways than I could imagine. Not only was it hurting my soul flame, it was hurting everyone around me.

I needed to get it together. If my touch only brought death, and I wasn’t allowed to do anything, the least I could do was use whatever power I had to help the Wyn elves.

I made up my mind. I would leave the safety of Nepta’s borders once again. The village was desperate.

17

Today was the day I would get water flowing back to the village. Everyone was thirsty and dehydrated, and we all desperately wanted a proper bath.

“Thank you for doing this with me,” I said to Rowen as I threw on a thin linen shirt, a lace-up vest, and leggings.

“We both know you would find a way to go without me, and I would much rather be by your side,” he said as we began our half-a-day’s journey to the extinct well at the base of the snowcapped mountains. “When the water first ran dry, I searched the land for a potential relocation site. But the more I explored, the more I realized the Wyn village was one of the last safe havens in Luneth. There is nowhere else to go. Though, if I did find refuge, they would have to go without me. I would never leave the only place you would know to go.”

My stomach dropped as the ground crunched in a dirge of drought beneath us. Of course he scoured the land while I was away. It was what he did when he was in pain. He wandered. And I was suddenly reminded that I’d been gone for months. A fact I didn’t think I would ever get used to.

“Tell me about where we’re going.”

“I’m taking you to the well I believe will be best for directing water back to the village,” Rowen said, sounding nervous as hell.

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