I rubbed the throbbing pain from my eyes, revelling in the feel of my eyes being closed. When I opened them, the four walls of my room seemed to collapse in around me, confining me to boredom. I sighed and stood, sulking over to the door. There was only one person I wanted to talk to right now.
I lightly knocked on Astral’s door and waited a moment before cracking it open.
“Come in,” he said, his head bent over, closely inspecting a small box on his desk. He was inscribing something on the sides. I shut the door behind me.
All his trinkets were still floating about the room, dancing whimsically to a silent tune. When he finished with the box, he tucked it inside a drawer and looked up at me. His eyes were glowing brightly.
“What’s that?” I asked, pointing in the general direction of where he placed the box.
“Hmm...that?” he said absently, “just a little reinforcement.” He finished the thought with a smile. “What brings you to this side of the house?”
I fidgeted. “Can I tell you something?” I asked hesitantly.
His brows rose.
“I feel like going before the Council is a waste of time.” I tried to keep from sounding like a teenager who was told to clean her room and straightened my shoulders, hoping that he would understand. “Don’t you think we should be focusing more on weeding information out of Zane?”
He sat back with a shocked look on his face. “Your title does matter, Aurora. It is a matter of gaining respect. If you want to be viewed as a respectable Mage, then you need to go before the Council and be granted a title. If you want to be able to lure other Mages to our side, then you must first earn their respect. A Liege won’t even consider listening to you if you don’t have a title.”
“If that ever happens,” I said under my breath.
Astral’s eyes pulsed, daring me to continue. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean, I don’t think you, or my dad, or even Gabe for that matter, will ever think that we are ready. We are still too young to fight in your eyes.”
I looked at him defiantly, ensuring that he understood where this was coming from. “And I really can’t see a silly title changing that or the way I feel inside. It won’t change my insecurities. And it sure as hell won’t protect me from what’s coming.”
“No, it won’t change those things. What you do not understand is, although you are prophesized for something great, you are still here, in the now. Your father and I have worked very hard to give you a normal life. It’s a smidgen of happiness amongst the despair that is sure to come.”
I was taken aback by Astral’s blatant honesty, and I suddenly felt a little selfish. I ran my hands through my hair, kicking myself once again for not thinking before I spoke. As my hands fell to my side, there was one question that popped up amongst my punishing thoughts. “Do you really think I can do it? Stop him, I mean?”
I was almost scared to hear his answer.
With glowing eyes of wisdom, Astral tilted his head. “A cat climbing incredible heights isn't afraid of falling because of the faith it has in the object it climbs, but because it has faith in its ability to land on all fours. Your fear will be the only thing holding you back.”
It was just the thing I needed to hear.
He chuckled as the words continued to replay in my mind. “Are you ready for some more training?”
“When am I not?”
The trinkets whizzed by me and onto the shelves as the chair in front of his desk slid out on its own, inviting me to take a seat.
Astral leaned forward, his eyes darkening, and lowered his voice. “What I intend to teach you is something only for advanced Mages.”
I eagerly moved to the edge of the seat.
After a moment’s pause, he casually leaned back, his eyes mocking my assumption. “But since you feel that going before the Council is unnecessary,” he mused lightly, “learning how to conserve your magical energy is, in turn, pointless.”
I huffed and crossed my arms, slouching down into the seat. “If I am to defeat Zordon, then you should teach me anyway, despite my opinion.”
After a short chuckle, he moved on. “I want to teach you a method the Priests use to conserve energy.”
That piqued my interest. I sat up straight once again. “Fenn read about them last night.” I tugged on my lower lip in thought. “Something about them teaching Mages how to conserve energy and being taken in under an apprenticeship.”
His face grew dark. “You never want to apprentice with them. Do you understand?”
My face screwed up in confusion. “Why?”
He ran a smooth hand through his hair. “Though they are wise in the ways of healing and harnessing energy, they are not to be viewed as a kindly race. Once you are taken in, you may never leave. Their sole purpose is to protect the Pool of Virtue. Leaving is punishable by death. Stealing a drop from the Pool is far worse...something that only a fool would try.”
I swallowed hard. Who would steal from them? “Well, when you put it like that…”
He watched me for a moment, like he wanted to say something else, but then his face shifted back to scholarly sternness. “Controlling the use of energy is not an easy feat,” he said, rising from his chair behind the thick mahogany desk.
“The energy inside of a living being is as mysterious as electricity. It is a powerful source that no other race, aside from the Magium, is able to tap into. Knowing this is the beginning to understanding exactly how using this energy works–what the Priests have come to understand. They have experimented on Mages for centuries.” His tone dropped on the last sentence, sounding grave and repulsed.
“Experimented? Where does the Priests magic come from?”
He stopped pacing and turned in my direction. “Priests are trained to harness the energy from the Pool of Virtue. They are able to meditate into a state of mind that allows them to use the Pool’s energy to heal, but it is an artificial magic. It can only be used as long as they are in tune with the Pool. Because their magic is artificial, they are fascinated by the Magium race and how they are able to conjure magic from within.” He didn’t sound too enthusiastic about it.
I was baffled. “Why do they practice healing if they don’t use it for the greater good?”
“The Elder Priests of the Amethyst Temple do on occasion leave,” he said in a tone that implied I should have paid attention to what I read. “When a war is present, that is.” His eyes twinkled with hope. He had been meaning to tell me this. “They have the ability to hold the harnessed power from the Pool within themselves for long periods of time. Those are the Priests you want to meet and bring to our side.”
“You think they will choose our side?” I asked quietly, hoping that these contradictory Priests would make the right choice.
He sighed. “Hard to say. But no matter, we will deal with that when the time comes. Your first priority is to earn your title. Then we can focus on preparing for war.”
I felt a smidgen of hope.
There was a moment of strong silence. Astral tugged on his beard, then he looked up at me, smiling. “First things first, I need you to focus on the light within you. That is where your energy stems from.”
I stared at him, my mind going blank. “How do I do that?”
“There is a place for every special thing in the world,” he said insightfully. “Your light,” he pointed to where my heart rested, “is inside the very center of you.”
I glanced down to where he pointed, looking for some obvious sign. Everything looked normal.
“It is pumped throughout your being,” he added knowingly, “providing you with endless possibilities. Close your eyes and focus on it, Aurora.”
I closed my eyes as tight as they would go, feeling a slight pulse within me. It was easy to tune the silent room ou
t, but my thoughts were chaotic. Doubts and insecurities surfaced along with the images that supported my failures.
“This is the hardest part, Aurora.” Astral’s voice was soft, patient. “You have to learn to let it all go. You will always have to let it all go if you are ever to control what is inside of you.”
I nodded, keeping my eyes closed, and let out a deep sigh. The pulse was there. It had always been there, even when I was in the other realm. It was a constant craving for power. It was as deeply imbedded in me as my dragon.
I cleared my mind of all doubts and began to feel the energy inside me, a light that constantly buzzed. I focused in and realized that I could feel it in a heightened manner, that I could almost see it.
“Good, you have tuned into it,” Astral said. “Now you will need to learn how it works inside of you. I want you to throw a spell at me, but when you do, stay focused on the energy. Watch how it depletes.”
“Okay.” I slowly let the light flow through my veins. It felt like liquid fire as it pulsed throughout me and energy filled my palms. “Occidium!”
The light inside of me flickered in and out of darkness. I watched my energy lessen.
“Another. This time, a stronger spell,” he challenged.
“Obscuro!”
Once again, the light inside of me dimmed. The force I placed behind the spell kept my light on a low simmer. I was trying to conceal Astral, but his presence was so large, it was nearly impossible.
With determination, I tried for something a bit easier. I focused on Astral’s hands and poured my energy into the task, forgetting about watching the light inside of me.
His hands slowly began to disappear and then his arms followed suit. It continued until I reached his chest. For a brief moment, I thought I would be able to make his head disappear. I went for it.
Then I felt fatigue set in. My head began to spin and my vision blurred.
“Tune back into your light, Aurora.”
I let the spell fizzle out. My energy had dimmed to near extinction. I couldn’t do another spell like that even if I had tried.
“Now you understand how easy it is to deplete yourself. Your energy source is like a muscle. It needs exercise and, more importantly, it needs to be trained.” He stood and lightly patted me on the shoulder. “You will train yourself to use it minimally.” It sounded more like a fact than a command.
“How am I going do that?”
“That was the whole point of this exercise — to teach you how. Your energy is restored with rest,” he reassured. “Rest is a state of mind. You must learn to quiet your mind the same as when you sleep. Try this — slow your breathing.”
I inhaled and exhaled deeply, slowing my pace.
“Feel the inner peace that comes with quietness.”
My eyes grew heavy.
“Now focus in on your energy. You will need to remain calm and in control. At peace. That is the only way you will ever be able to slow the depletion of your energy.”
I stifled a yawn as I nodded my understanding.
He chuckled. “It will take time and practice before you can master this technique, but if you practice every night on slowing your energy use while you’re resting, you will be able to do it.”
It made sense.
“Thanks, Astral,” I said, smiling, once again covering a yawn. “If I can do this, maybe it will help with my shift.”
“About that,” he said after a moment’s pause. “I think I may have found the solution.” He looked to the floor. “It may have to do with the binding spell I placed on you when you were born.” The faint sound of regret resounded in his voice.
I glanced down at my necklace, the same necklace I had gone through so much to get from Soothe. It was what bound the dragon spirit to me and what helped heal me when I was hurt.
“How can we fix it then?”
He looked up with promise. “In two days, before your review with the Council, we will meet again to train. I want to try something different.”
I scrunched my eyes at him. “What is it you want to try? You always talk in circles.”
He chuckled. “That is because I have some things to figure out before I can fully explain. Just trust me.” He smiled. “We will discuss it in detail in two days’ time.” He squeezed my shoulder and then guided me to the door. My stomach growled, howling away my hunger pains. He chuckled again. “Rest now while I cook us up a feast.”
It sounded fair enough to me. But I had one more question. “As much as I would hate to, shouldn’t we respect The Fates’ wishes and return my Oraculus? Isn’t it like against the law or something?”
He paused at the door. “There’s more to it than you understand.”
“Like what?”
He sighed heavily, his eyes scanning the floor. “Aurora, some things are better —”
“Left unsaid. Yeah, I’ve heard that before. But do you really think keeping me in the dark about what you know about The Fates is going to help?”
He finally looked at me. “For right now, yes, I do believe it will help you. You would be wise to leave it at that.” The threat was just enough to keep my mouth shut.
I headed for my room without another word.
As usual, Astral followed through with his word. Fire-roasted chicken with charred potatoes and a medley of vegetables from his garden filled my belly. My stomach had been shaken up for so long, I had almost forgotten the joy of food.
Feeling fully sated and surrounded by the ones I loved made me feel homesick for Mily, my foster mother. We always ate a bountiful meal around a table full of love. The triplets always laughed at the funny faces Fenn would make and the silly sounds I created to go along.
I felt the weight of someone’s gaze on my skin. My eyes instantly met Fenn’s. The laughter and excitement between Logan and Lexi quieted as I lost myself in his smoldering eyes. For a moment, I almost believed we were back in the other realm, waiting for Mily to say a prayer so we could eat. Lexi’s laughter morphed into the triplets’ spirited cries of joy.
For a moment, I felt at home.
But then my dad lightly jabbed me in the side as he sat down next to me. “I want to speak with you later. There is something I need to show you.” He smiled and then took a bite of chicken.
“Okay.” I stuffed my mouth full of chicken. Since I’ve returned, there hasn’t been much time for us to sit down and have a real conversation. Something else always came in the way. There was still so much I didn’t know about him.
My plate was finished in record timing. Fenn and Astral started clearing the table. “I’m going to go change,” I told my dad with a warm smile. “Meet you by the front door?”
He answered with an enthusiastic nod.
I sighed heavily once inside my room and leaned my forehead against the door. “Fenn,” I said to myself, still feeling the weight of homesickness. It didn’t feel right being mad at him.
“Yes?” I heard from the other side of the door. I lifted my head and stepped back. A heart had been burned into my door. Inside the heart were our initials with an arrow shot through it.
I rolled my eyes and opened the door with a sigh. When I shut it again, the heart was gone. “I thought you were helping Astral,” I said stiffly.
“I was, but then I heard you say my name,” he answered with a cocky grin.
“How did you hear that from over there?”
He almost smiled. “I will always hear what you have to say, Rory. It’s one of the perks of you being part dragon.”
“Wait-what?” I coughed, confusion coloring my tone.
He brushed my hair behind my ears, his eyes burning with love. My mind went a bit dizzy.
“I read it in a book. Dragons take one mate for life — a soul mate of sorts.” He began t
o walk around me. “Whether you like it or not,” he said over my shoulder, his breath warming the skin of my neck, “you have already chosen me.” His lips brushed the edge of my ear.
I closed my eyes, pressing my lips together to try and keep my composure.
He stepped back. “We were meant to be together,” he said definitively. I could hear the smile in his voice. “We already knew we were soul mates.” Once again he was behind me, running his hands up and down my arms.
“But you’re not a dragon,” I said.
“No, but I am destined to be with you which gives me some of the perks of being mated to one.”
“What kind of perks?”
“Haven’t figured them all out yet, but I can feel you and you can feel me, in here,” he said, placing his hand against my heart.
My breath caught and I stepped away from him, trying to shake the tingling need to kiss him.
His eyes sparkled wickedly. Then he leaned in, inches away from my face, his lips daring me to kiss him. “It’s pretty cool if you ask me.”
I was going to kiss him. I could feel his desire melding with my own — another perk we could add to the list of being mated together. It’s what I wanted, but his playful tease stopped me. I rolled my eyes instead and stepped around him.
“Just what I need — to be tied to you.” I tried to sound repulsed. He snickered and shook his head. “I am still angry,” I threw in for good measure. “Eavesdropping by my door won’t earn you any brownie points.”
“Point taken.” He smiled wryly, his hands held up in defense. He turned for the door. “It won’t happen again.” Something in his tone told me that it would and that didn’t bother me one bit.
I wanted to ask him not to go, but I stopped myself. I had a date with my dad that I needed to prepare for.
He paused at the door and said, “Have fun tonight, Rory. You deserve it.” I turned back to my closet, looking for something to wear as I heard the door gently close. How was I going to rid myself of him? I needed a love exorcism.
Embracing the Flames Page 6