Page 6 of Of Blooming Embers
Squeezing my eyes shut, I whimpered at the stinging in my scalp as my curls pulled, trapped under his grip. My nose scrunched at the pungent scent wafting from him.
“Balor.” My eyes snapped open, realizing that Mama was the one talking. I’d never heard her sound like that. Chilling. Lethal. “Let. My. Daughter. Go.”
Behind Mama, Father backed away, Letti cradled protectively in his arms.There was a small crowd gawking at the unfolding scene. Mama stepped forward, her jaw tight, her golden-hazel eyes boring into the male’s. I shuddered, fearful that she would get hurt. We weren’t supposed to defy Akridais.
Balor’s bony body practically vibrated against me. “Let her go?” he sneered.
All at once, a yellow radiance illuminated behind me, and slippery tendrils of ember slithered around my waist. I gulped, my petrified eyes meeting my mother’s.
Before I knew what was happening, the ground left my feet, and my body flung over the fence to a chorus of gasps and stunned cries. My mother darted forward, her outstretched hands reaching for me. A glimmering halo of midnight blazed around her.
Time seemed to move in slow motion as I soared through the air.
My last thought would be one of panicked confusion.
Mama is a Druik?
As the furious river came into view, all my thoughts scattered, carried away by the blood-curdling screech that tore from me.
My body jerked to a stop before I plummeted. A glittering, dusky mist coiled around Balor’s embered ropes, cinching them around my waist tightly. My vision swam in my eyes. Hazy tears plunged into the churning water.
“What have you done?” The Akridai bellowed as my mother reeled my body into the safety of her arms. I curled into her glowing form, and her ember flung Balor’s away. He glared at us, a severe scowl carving into the dull, pallid skin of his face. The corners of Mama’s full lips tipped up.
“Ah, Balor. Run along. I think you’ve done enough today,” a melodic voice commanded from behind us. His gaze snapped toward the woman, and he hunched forward, his aura slinking back into itself.
“Yes, Mistress.” Balor, a scurrying insect, fled toward Morpheus’ palace.
My mother squeezed me closer, and I whimpered as my face pressed against her chest. Her pulse quickened, harmonizing with the beating under my star-shaped scar. “Shhh, it’s all right, Little Star. I’ve got you,” Mama murmured as her halo dimmed.
The woman clapped her hands over the buzz of hushed words from the crowd. “What do they call you, pet? Who am I to thank for such entertainment? And during the last days of the Winnowing Trials at that.”
A rush of air blew from Mama’s flared nostrils, and she gently set me on my feet. “Go to your father.” Numbly, my feet followed her directive. I glanced at the striking woman.Elder Melina Harrow.One of her perfectly arched, pale eyebrows rose as she scrutinized me.
“Elder Harrow.” Mama’s voice was steady. The Elder’s attention slid back to my mother. “My name is Maya Vawn.”
Melina’s laughter chimed through the air. “Maya.” She paused, her tongue pushing at the inside of her cheek. Tasting the name. “Come, pet. It seems we’ve a lot to discuss.” She sauntered toward the palace, her flowing black dress fluttering behind her. In the cool breeze, her hair lifted from her nape, and a flash of gold reflected in the setting sun.
I blinked, and it was gone.
Hurrying over, Mama crouched, her chilled hands cupping my cheeks. “You were very brave. Thank you for protecting your sister. I know you’ll always be there for her.”
“Yes, Mama,” I sniffled, tears lining my bottom lashes.
She swiped her thumbs under my eyes. Icy dread gurgled behind my ribs as if my heart had fallen into the river and was drowning.
Urgently, Mama continued, “But hear me now. You must also be good to yourself. A flower can’t bloom and nourish other living creatures if it doesn’t seize the sunlight itself. If it doesn’t cling to its roots.”
With wide eyes, I blinked while her words knocked around my mind. She stood, kissing the top of my head and then Letti’s, and murmured sentiments of love, smiling at us. But it didn’t quite reach her eyes; the crinkles at the sides were missing.
Rubbing her lips together, she looked at Father. “Take care of them.”
He lifted his chin, his expression softening as he met her gaze. “Of course, my love.”
My eyelids scrunched together as the memory faded away. I coughed, trapping a sob in my chest. Gavrel glanced my way, and I subtly shook my head from side to side. He looked ahead, brows squeezing together.
I breathed in deeply through my nose, resting my palms on either side of my neck as I worked on soothing myself. My middle finger stroked my humming scar.
No wonder I was terrified of heights. Images of the Winnowing muddled with this unearthed memory. I shivered at the thought of being suspended over the cliff’s edge, whether by ember or by rope. A huff of air whooshed from my nose, and my shoulders sagged.
