Page 10 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
Without even making contact, my mind is already assessing, planning, and working out the best offensive move against everything I already know about him.
He’s smaller in build and height than I am. Only Capella, a Natural from The Chamber residence, is shorter than him, which gives me every advantage in this game.
He’s a fast learner, but the praise ends there.
He’ll rush. You’ll dodge. Twist his arm, hold, done.
And like Deja Vu, he does exactly as I see in my mind. When I grab his arm to restrain him, I can feel the tremors he can call from the Earth, like they’re trying to shake me loose. But my hold on him is stronger than his power.
It doesn’t force his surrender, but he rears his head back, connecting with my chin and knocking me back. As I stagger, he drops to the ground and places both of his hands into the sand beneath our feet.
The tremor is soft and gentle to start, but as if he’s using my own strength, it grows, shaking me and keeping me off balance. I stagger to one side, but I keep my feet. “Nice try.” I smile at him, knowing that’s all he’s got.
It fades, and he stands to meet me. “It’s the closest I’ve been. You gotta give me that.”
“Fine. I’ll give you that.” I give him a sharp nod of my head.
Rowan dismisses us, and I take the opportunity and head for The Chamber’s residence wing. It’s been several weeks since I’ve visited, but I shouldn’t let my newly developed hatred for my father tarnish the relationship I have with my mother. She, after all, saved me. And while that shouldn’t be shocking, it is something I’m learning to adjust to.
I make my way through The Court’s districts to the centre of the spiral city and head up the main road to The Tower, taking the door to the left that will lead me along to The Chamber member’s residence wing.
I’ve lived here all my life. The hallways and corridors are home, yet they feel different now that my path has changed.
As I approach our apartment door, I see the two officers placed outside—Warriors—and wonder when that became a thing. I steel myself and walk right past them, not giving them a chance to stop or question my presence there.
Once inside, I glance around. Nothing has changed since I moved out, which is customary, but I expected something to be different after Father publicly shunned me.
“Mother?” I walk through the hall and into the living room ahead. She’s standing next to the floor-to-ceiling arched windows leading out onto the small balcony. Staring. “Mother?” I call again, this time gently, to try and pull her from her gaze.
“Oh, Aten.” She turns to me, but the faraway look lingers in her warm eyes.
“Is everything okay? I can come back later,” I offer, but I already know she won’t accept that. Strange. I’d never assumed that before, but now…
“Can I get you anything?” she offers back.
“Water, if you have time.”
“Always, for you.” She wafts past me, and I take up position on the usual chair that I’d sit in when this was my home, and I ventured into this room.
She returns with two slender glasses and joins me on the plush green sofa. “How’s training?”
“Fine. Good.” It’s the truth. Although…
“You want to ask me about my Guard magic?” She finishes my thought for me.
“Yes. It’s, well, I still can’t pinpoint exactly what it does.” I had been putting this conversation off, but while that wasn’t my direct intent, it’s been weighing on me. I’d been so in control of the Warrior traits I’d inherited and drawn on for all my life. It was second nature. Obvious. But now that has shifted.
“You’ve not been ready before now. I know you’re angry.”
“Please, Mother. If you don’t—” The anger she speaks of stirs in my veins.
“Sit down, Aten.”
My teeth clench, but I do as she says. This conversation is long overdue.
“It’s always different,” she starts, but pulls her gaze back towards the window. “As is every magic in Kirrasia. It depends on so many facets: when you were born within Aslendrix’s cycle, your parents’ gifts, the timing of your Transference, and who gives you their magic. Even Aslendrix herself. This is why training is so important. Because after the ceremony, everything will change.”
“Not for Calix or Crimson,” I protest, and I can’t keep the slight edge of envy from my voice.
