Page 14 of The Curse of Golden Blood
"It isn't," I said simply. "It's survival. Nothing more."
The space between us hummed, every breath thick with stormlight. She was aware of the distance, of how easily I could close it.
I stepped forward.
"But in your case," I continued, voice lowering just enough to make her stomach tighten, "we have a complication."
She raised a brow. "You mean the part where your magic touched me and…failedto leave its mark?"
My eyes darkened, and the clouds above seemed to shift with them. "The mark rejected you. Either way, it should not have happened."
"Perhaps your magic isn't as all-powerful as you think."
I was close enough now that she could see the flicker of lightning reflected in my red eyes. "Careful, little dove. Tell me, what do you know of fae magic?"
"I told you not to call me that."
I smirked. "Do I need to remind you that I am the master and you are one of many Vessels?"
She scoffed, her nose wrinkling. "I would sooner die than call you master."
"So be it."
We were high above the ground and it was a sheer drop down the side of the cliff to the raging sea. I was well aware of the fear of heights most humans had, and I was certain Miralyte would feel the same.
She was pale and still, her jaw clenched. I saw the slight tremble in her hands, her legs. She tried to hide it, but I was well trained at observing my opponent.
I took a few steps away from her, leaving her in the center of the platform, the wind whipping at her thin shirt, which had quickly become soaked and plastered to her torso.
"So are you just going to stand there staring or are you going to teach me?"
I smiled slowly.
She was good at hiding her fear, but not good enough.
I extended my hand, palm up, letting a controlled thread of lightning dance between my fingers. "First, we test what magic you can channel without a mark. Most Vessels begin with simple energy manipulation. Even without proper binding, some mortals can hold a spark for several seconds."
She watched the electricity with wary golden eyes. "And if I can't?"
"Then we discover just how useless you truly are."
I grasped her wrist, pressing my thumb where her Oath Mark should have blazed blue. "Feel the power," I commanded, letting a thin stream of energy flow into her. "Now hold it."
Her face tightened in concentration. For a moment, nothing happened. Then a tiny, pathetic flicker appeared in her palm—barely visible, weak as a dying ember.
"A child could do better." The spark sputtered and died within seconds. "Again," I commanded.
This time, she managed to hold the energy for perhaps three heartbeats before it dissipated. Her breathing had grown labored from the effort.
"Pathetic. Most Vessels can maintain a flame for a full minute on their first attempt."
Her jaw clenched. "Perhaps your teaching methods are lacking."
"Perhaps you are simply weak." I released her wrist and stepped back. "Try forming a barrier spell. Focus the energy into a defensive shield."
She stared at me blankly. "I don't know how."
I moved behind her cold, wet form, positioning her arms. Heat radiated from my chest against her back, steam rising where our bodies nearly touched. "Hands up. Like this." I guided her palms forward, fingers spread. My hands covered hers,warm against her frozen skin. "The gesture helps channel the energy, gives it direction and shape."
