Page 21 of Of Storm and Emerald
Didn’t care that her people and guests of the crown had just witnessed her use her magic without any control over it. That was something to worry about later.
All that she cared about was that somehow Daemon, a man she had known for no more than a full day, was able to ground her when her panic rose.
The world fell away again as Daemon gently cupped her cheek. Instinctively she leaned into it as he asked, “What do you feel when you’re using your magic?”
Her head tilted to the side, and her eyebrows knitted together in confusion. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“When I use my magic, I feel it throughout my body. My limbs feel weighted, like a heavy blanket is draped over me. It’s all encompassing.”
She thought for a moment, then it was like a veil had been lifted. “Right before the wind surrounded us, I felt a warmth fill my chest. It was heavy, but it was a comforting feeling. Like I was whole.”
Daemon smiled, “Do you want to try it?”
“Try what?” Panic seeped into her words as her anxiety began to rise once more.
“Summon your magic, Auraelia. Show me what you can do. Show everyone in this room that you are in control.”
She searched his expression, but when she looked into his eyes, she saw adoration. He truly believed that she could control her power this soon.
Daemon stroked her cheek as he spoke to her in a low voice, “Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and feel for your magic. Search for that warmth. Find it and hold onto it. Then visualize what you want to do with it.”
She did as he said.
Closing her eyes, she took steadying breaths and let his touch ground her. She felt the warmth fill her chest, like the embers of a fire slowly being stoked back to life, and let it radiate out through the rest of her body. Then, focusing on what she wanted, she willed the air around her to do as she bid.
She was so focused on her magic, that she hadn’t felt Daemon bend to whisper in her ear, “Open your eyes, my star.”
When she did, she saw excitement in his gaze and that beautiful smirk. He flicked his head to the side, gesturing for her to look around. She turned her gaze from the man who was in the process of turning her world upside down, and what she saw took her breath away.
A gentle breeze drifted through the room.
It was calm enough to barely stir the loose hair around her face, but strong enough to knock petals loose from the flowers surrounding the room, and she watched in awe as they rained down on the guests.
It was beautiful.
Turning her gaze back to Daemon, she saw passion and desire burning in his eyes. And when his grin turned devilish, she was quite certain that her own eyes mirrored the sentiment.
The rest of the night went by in a haze of dancing, drinking, and conversation. Auraelia and Daemon rarely parted from each other, except when Xander cut in to demand a dance with his sister, so Piper danced with Daemon to keep him out of the clutches of the court ladies.
When the queen announced that she was retiring for the night, she shot a warning glance at Auraelia that only one of her children –and Piper– would notice. Her mother knew of her nighttime escapades and didn’t care as long as she was smart about it. The look she gave was not one of deterrent, but one that said,‘Don’t be stupid, and don’t get caught.’
Shortly after the queen left the ballroom, others followed suit and the room slowly emptied, leaving only a few stragglers–most of whom were drunk and draped over the benches.
“May I speak with you for a moment, Your Highness?” Piper asked. Her face was the perfect representation of a lady, but her eyes said something else entirely.
Auraelia excused herself from Daemon’s side, where he was having a conversation with Aiden and Xander and walked out of earshot with Piper.
“What is it?” she asked in a tone that showed she wasn’t buying anything that Piper said.
“What’s the plan?”
“Excuse me?” Auraelia asked.
“What do you mean‘excuse me?’it’s not like you can just waltz him up to your room undetected,” Piper retorted, and when she didn’t answer, Piper’s mouth dropped. “You can’t be serious. Rae.Pleasetell me that you are going to take that man for a ride.”
Auraelia laughed, and discreetly shrugged her shoulders. “We haven’t really talked about thehowyet. It’s not really a conversation that you can have when you’re surrounded by a hundred people.”
Daemon walked up behind Auraelia and touched the small of her back, effectively cutting Piper off before she could come up with a snarky response. The small caress sent a wave of awareness through her and settled in her core.
