Page 46 of Of Blooming Embers
He leaned into me. “You’ll master this.”
The Augur returned, settling herself in the creaky rocking chair. “Indeed, you will. Now, get up and try once more. The Fates wait for no one.” Her invisible ember poked me in the side. Gavrel’s other hand left mine, and I sighed, rising to my feet and jumping onto a nearby hummock.
Sometimes I wondered what her aura looked like. So far, she was the only Druik I couldn’t get a read on.
She must be absurdly powerful. And disciplined … And, therefore, pull your shit together and put your big girl breeches on, Seryn,I scolded myself. This was not the time for self-pity.
Widening my stance, I closed my eyes, concentrating on the vibrations within.I am you, and you are me.My scar buzzed on my nape. Gavrel’s words brushed over me.You’re more than enough.
With a deep exhale, I freed my ability.
I am you.
Let it flow over me.
And you are me.
I meditated, repeating my new mantra over and over until I believed it. Untilmy emberbelieved it.
I’m not sure how long I stood there as the world around me slipped away. But I felt the moment my ember and I reached one accord.
With a calm heart and even breath, my energy glided over my flesh and flowed through my sinews. It usually burned when it did so, demanding that its needs be fulfilled. Ignoring me in its quest for satiation. Yet, now its heat soothed, like a honey salve slipping down a sore throat.
I am you, and you are me,it whispered back.
We were one.
My eyelashes fluttered open, and I ignored the wetness lining them.
The Augur grinned, and a look of wonder lifted Gavrel’s forehead as he gripped his baldric, his knuckles pale.
“Well done.” With effort, she rose and shuffled to her door.
“Oh, and Belladonna.” She paused, poking her crooked finger in the air, eyes going glassy for a moment.
My heart fluttered. I leaned toward her. “Are you … are you all right?”
A spark of tarnished gold flit over her pupils as they snapped to me. I jolted, and her lips curved, pushing into the creases lining her cheeks and eyes. “The Budding Moon is nigh, and the Fates are pleased.” She waved a bent hand at us. “Off you go.”
Gavrel’s shoulders tensed, and I rolled my eyes, brushing my fingers under my lashes and tucking away my aura.
Another dismissal served with a side of cryptic declarations.
What an Ancients-damned delight.
The next afternoon,Gavrel sat at the edge of the Augur’s porch, his long legs dangling above the water as he shouted clipped instructions at me. “Keep it up … Eyes ahead.” He stood, not one to rest for long, especially when barking orders. “You need to prune your power by feel, not sight.”
“How about I prune you?” I glared at him, and the handsome bastard grinned.
Funny how he smiled the widest when bossing me around. My huff ended on a squeak as my leg muscles shifted. The hummock I stood upon wobbled with the prismatic, embered blob swirling between my palms.
For Surrelia’s sake.
Steadying myself, and relieved the mossy knoll would not crumble, I spread my toes within my boots and planted my feet on its spongy surface. My hips adjusted, and I stacked my weight over my knees and exhaled my held breath.
I am you, and you are me, I thought over and over until my heart slowed and pulsed in time with my aura. Energy caressed my skin, purring. My eyes fixed on a gnarled tree in the distance.
“That’s it, child. Commune with your gift. You are one and the same,” the Augur called as she came out from her home and sat on the rocking chair.
