Page 33 of A Storm of Fire and Ash
“So you are the Elara that Zayn can’t shut up about,” Makar remarked, his deep voice carrying a faint accent that hinted at a distant homeland.
The realization that Zayn had been talking about me caught me off guard and made my heart do weird things.
With a booming laugh, Makar’s voice resonated through the trees, sending a faint rustle through the leaves. “Don’t get too excited. He hasn’t said anything nice. Calls you more of a burden.”
His words landed like a heavy stone in my chest, and I couldn’t mask the disappointment that crept across my face. Why did his opinion matter so much? Zayn was an asshole, anyway.
“Makar, enough. Help her or go fuck off,” Eryn exclaimed, her voice sharp as she jabbed her finger into his shoulder, fiercely defending me.
I felt a swell of gratitude for her loyalty; I’d never experienced anyone standing up for me before.
Now, Makar and Eryn stood chest to chest, their heights nearly equal, and the air between them crackled with tension; waiting to see who broke first.
I cleared my throat.
Makar turned towards me, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly in a challenging smirk. “Alright, let’s see what you can do. I hear you’re great with fire… a little reckless, but—” My vision began to blur as a crimson haze enveloped my thoughts. This insufferable asshole was tugging at my last nerve, and I could feel the fire within me burning hotter, desperate to be unleashed. “There it is. Keep fueling your hurt… your anger,” he goaded.
But nothing happened.
“Perhaps, this will help.” Makar’s hands pressed gently against my temples, and in an instant, I was thrown back into the devastating inferno of my memories. I stood frozen in my house, flames licking at the walls, watching it burn all over again. I held my mother’s lifeless body, the acrid smoke searing my lungs as I screamed in despair. It felt as if I were merely a spectator, helplessly watching the tragedy unfold.
What is this Hel?I need to escape!
With my eyes shut tightly, I refused to witness another second of my nightmare. Sadness crashed over me like an unwanted guest, suffocating my resolve, and I felt an overwhelming urge to scream. “Get me out of here! I can’t! I can’t be here!” I dropped to the ground, hot tears streaming down my face. “GET ME OUT! I DON’T WANT TO BE HERE!” My voice echoed, raw and piercing.
Just as my scream erupted into the void, I was yanked away from that tormenting memory and found myself back at the cliffside, with Eryn and Makar staring at me. Furycoursed through my veins, mingling with the hurt that still lingered.
In my rage, I could feel my fire swirling to life once more.
Instinctively, I knew what I had to do. I concentrated on the essence of my dragon flames and shot my arms out toward Makar. In an instant, my fiery dragon manifested before me, a swirling torrent of fire and spirit. I nodded toward Makar, and his eyes went wide with shock. He barely had time to react as he waved his hand in front of himself, encasing his body in a translucent shield of water. The shield fizzled as my fire dragon collided against it, igniting in a brilliant display.
But in addition to the flames, something else simmered deep within me. I reached out, calling to the vines that twisted around the moss-covered trees. They obeyed my command, slithering across the ground like snakes, winding up behind Makar. In an instant, they wrapped themselves tightly around his ankles, dragging him down to the ground with a loud thud.
Eryn burst out laughing, her voice bright and infectious. “My gods! Nicely done!” She patted me on the back, her approval igniting a flicker of pride within me.
“Alright! Point made!” Makar exclaimed, flustered as he cut the vines from his ankles and stood back up, brushing the dirt from his clothes. “Not bad… for your first time. Have you ever controlled nature before?” he asked.
I shook my head, still catching my breath from the adrenaline. “Well, you’ve got fire magic and earth magic, so that’s pretty impressive for a Royal Fae,” he remarked, a hint of respect evident in his tone.
“Do Royal Fae usually only have one elemental power?” I questioned, curiosity piqued.
“That’s correct. Only Warlocks possess all four elements, but even we are limited to their strengths,” Makar retorted with a hint of irritation in his voice.
“Warlocks can also invade your mind, I take it?” I snapped, my anger flaring anew. “Don’t you dare ever do that to me again.”
He took a step closer, “But you enjoyed the way I made you feel so much… perhaps I can show you how good I can actually make you feel?”
I bit the corner of my lower lip and shut my eyes, squeezing my legs together. I don’t think the prince would like him flirting with me this much…
Makar continued, “Yes, Warlocks can dip into the minds of any living thing, ensnaring them with glamour, but only within a limited range. Yours had been particularly easy to infiltrate. Ya gotta learn to fortify your mind with a shield and maintain it constantly,” he remarked, crossing his muscular arms over his broad chest. His black shirt hugged his body.
“How do I put up a shield?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
“It’s quite simple,” Eryn advised, her voice calm and reassuring. “Visualize a protective barrier encompassing your mind. This could take any form you desire—a bubble, a wall of light, or a thick, impenetrable shield. Picture it in vivid detail, considering its color, texture, and strength.”
Makar chimed in, his enthusiasm palpable. “For me, I prefer a water shield, as that is my strongest element. Perhaps yours should embody a fiery dragon…” His brows shot up, revealing a hint of admiration.
Eryn urged me gently, “Give it a try. Close your eyes and tap into your intuition. Yours is particularly potent.” I obeyed and closed my eyes, focusing inward.
