Page 16 of Veil of Shadows

I searched for the word to describe this new sensation. Power hummed within me, but nothing could summarize this inexplicable feeling of my hope twisted with fear, so all I replied was, “Different.”

“And your magic?”

“I don’t know yet. I’m hesitant to try, just in case...”

He nodded. “Only do what you feel comfortable doing.”

Slowly, I lifted my hand. I was careful, not doing anything jerky or unrestrained, but I didn’t feel unstable. Not yet at least.

But the weightlessness that soared through my inner magic was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I shook my head in wonder. I’d never known such a feeling. And feeling that, understanding it...my breath sucked in as the knowledge of how caged I’d been my entire life took root.My guardian could have done this full seasons ago, at any time, but he never did.

That knowledge penetrated my heart, shredding through the last remains of hope I’d harbored that my guardian had cared for me on some level, no matter how small.

But he didn’t care for me. Not at all. He’d kept me completely caged. My only purpose had been to serve him, nothing more.

Knife-like pain stabbed me. For full seasons, he’d kept me confined, even during callings, if what I was currently feeling was any indication. It was no wonder I’d never been able to fully control the semelees. I’dalwaysbeen suppressed.

But could I fully control the semelees now?That thought struck me like an arrow.With my magic this free, could I command them completely?My pulse thundered. If I could, then that would make me their queen.

My heart fluttered anew, and I ran my fingers along the cool metal at my throat. A faint vibration tingled along my fingertips, so faint that I barely felt it.

Swallowing the anxiety in my throat, I took a deep breath, then dipped into my body. I tentatively stoked my lorafinabilities. They swirled and rose, billowing along my limbs and coming to my aid immediately without the restricting collar pushing them down. I pulled on them more, something I hadn’t done since I was a child, but only a small sting came from my collar. That was it—no further punishments were elicited. Magic rushed through me, just waiting to be used. Immense energy crackled along my nerves, yet a part of me was aware that it still wasn’t the full extent of my abilities. Regardless, I feltpowerful. Gasping, I quickly suppressed it.

“Stars Above.”

“Elowen,” Jax rasped. “Your eyes.”

I palmed my cheeks and cocked my head.

“They’re shining like emeralds.”

I rose from the chair, and a throb of magic made my movements swift and strong. I felt capable and steady. Power hummed along my limbs, and the darkness swirling inside me grew, making me feel as nimble as a colantha.

Across the chamber, near the door, hung a large mirror.

My eyes bulged when I saw my reflection. My usual green irises shone back at me, but they glittered in a way I’d never seen before, and I could practically see the magic crackling along my skin. A slight shimmer rose from my body, as though the magic inside me was so potent that it needed to continually release.

“Her aura is so—” My guardian shook his head, then cast Jax an accusing glare. “This wasn’t a good idea.”

“It was.” Jax’s attention remained on me. “The power of a lorafin is akin to the gods. Vibrant, mighty, and a sight to behold. This is to be expected.”

For the briefest moment, I locked my gaze with his in the mirror, confusion strumming through me.

“It’s what the scholar told me that I consulted,” the prince replied, his smile so dazzling that for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. “How are you feeling now?”

I lifted my arms and studied my limbs. Other than the strange feeling of my magic continually skidding over me, I felt like me, just...freer. “I feel good, like myself, I think.”

But while I did indeed feel less caged, it also felt like something was missing. As though a final piece to the puzzle of my magic hadn’t locked into place yet. That realization marred my hope. Perhaps I wouldn’t be able to fully command the semelees after all.

“And you don’t feel unstable?” Jax pushed.

I tested my magic again and dove my attention inward, just to see what would happen and to see if the first time had been a fluke.

My magic again rose readily, coming to me so easily, and the only effect of the collar was a very faint sting upon my neck. Nothing more. Heart pumping a bit harder, I waited for my darkness to rise. Waited for it to take over and render me unstable.

Seconds ticked by as I stood there in trepidation, ready to douse it if it began to erupt.

But my magic only hummed along my limbs, coursing through my veins like an old, familiar friend. I suppressed it anyway, still worried that at any moment, I would gush like a volcano, but my magic did as I commanded and relaxed when I told it to, halting the strange glow of my eyes and crackling power along my skin.

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