Page 236 of Emylia

That’s why we’d left it till last. The danger was too much to ignore.

“It’s okay, Emylia.” My mother called, her voice steady, her stance already braced—prepared to wield her own magik if she had to. But I wasn’t sure her power would stand against mine.

Did she have better control? More stamina when holding it? Abso-fucking-lutely. But when it came to short bursts, she couldn’t match me. She’d be overpowered.

At least her ward wouldn’t falter. The two men I loved would survive. And that—thatwas enough for me.

I turned inward, toward the now-familiar thread of power coiled at my core. I gripped it—mentally, physically—yanked it free.

And then Ilet go.

At first, it was a slow burn. A gentle trickle. But then it spread—warm, liquid flame slipping through my veins. Not painful. Not terrifying. Comforting. Like my body had reshaped itself on a cellular level just to contain it. Like I’d always been meant for this.

I extended my arms. Cupped my hands and summoned the spark.

A flicker. Then fire.

My eyes flew open to the glowing orb resting in my palms. It radiated light, not heat. Or maybe… I was immune to it. It felt like mine. Like it had been waiting for me towake it upand claim it.

I called for more.

The fire answered.

Growing brighter. Sharper. Hungry—but not wild.

Time to test it.

I spread my arms, splitting the flame in two. It obeyed. Streams of fire spun outward, curling into ribbons. I moved with it—guiding, dancing. Not a master commanding her weapon, but a girl discovering the core of herself for the very first time.

“Go, Em! So badass!” Sebastian cheered, whooping.

“Don’t egg her on. She’s still volatile,” my mother warned, tension bleeding into her voice.

“It’s okay,” Maalikai said, firm and low. “She’s got this. She’s in control.”

My smile was instant at their faith in me—but it faltered a second later. Because this wasn’t just control.

This wasfreedom.

The flames swirled higher, faster, whirling in twin vortexes at my sides. I turned my wrists and the fire followed, obedient and fluid. Every breath I took fed the inferno—but it didn’t consume me.

Itcompletedme.

I stepped forward, falling into an attack stance.

The fire held.

I spun once, then again. The fire danced with me, curling from my fingertips like ribbons of molten light. No flicker of wildness. No hint of rebellion. It pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat—steady, strong, unapologetically mine.

The clearing lit in golden hues, bright and commanding, shadows twisting across the trees. I raised my arms and the fire rose with me, no longer two flames but one—massive, magnificent—arching over my head like a crown of light.

Gasps echoed from the edge of the clearing.

I didn’t need to look to know their eyes were wide.

Because for the first time—maybe ever—I wasn’t afraid.

Not of my power. Not of the choice I hadn’t yet made. Not of the girl I was before this moment.

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