Page 40 of Rising Out of the Darkness
The gods had granted me this dynamis because they believed in my strength. Strength that I needed to use right now to rein in the chaos that I had created.
Steady breaths became my main objective. I leaned into the rhythm of the song, letting it lull me back to control. The shadows continued to caress me, and I let my mind clear, shoving the turbulent storm aside to let the warmth of the light shine in.
Remembering my lessons with Bri, I chanted my mantra in my head, the one that had carried me through each of my downfalls, each moment of panic, and each tear of my heart.
“I am the light. No darkness can bind me. I have it within me to hold and to guide me.”
Over and over, I chanted those words, softly at first, then with increased forcefulness as I worked to rein in my dynamis.
Cool breeze rolled over my body, and I relished the fact that I could feel it over my skin. The shadows that surrounded my body swept back to their owner. The melody that had once played inside my ears now faded into the distance until the only sound that was left was the whisper of the breeze passing through the leaves of the trees surrounding us.
The warmth of the day tapped against my sealed eyelids. With some effort, I managed to peel them open. My lungs finally allowed me to pull one long, deep breath. I raised my head towards the sky and thanked all five gods for allowing me to breathe in the fresh air of the beautiful day once more.
Controlling this power,my power, wasn’t going to be easy as I had hoped. How was I going to do this alone?
The words must have left my lips, because a strained voice from behind me replied, “You won’t. That’s what I’m here for, Lena, to train you.”
He was on his knees a few inches behind me and watched me cautiously as I wiped away the beads of sweat that had taken residence on my forehead.
“Why, Declan?” The words felt rough against my throat. “Why would anyone take this on?” I paused momentarily as the enormity of what just happened struck me. “Why didn’t the king just… kill me?”
Tears burned behind my eyes. If I let them out now, it would open the gates to uncontrollable sobs, a breakdown that I would not allow to happen. Not today, and not in front of him.
A sigh wafted through the air between us. I took in his pale face and rumpled hair. He was as fatigued as I was. Wiping away beads of sweat with his palm, he then rubbed his fingers between his furrowed brows.
“That’s a story for another time and another place.” He tucked strands of loose hair behind my ear. “Right now, we need to focus on being calm. I don’t think either of us could handle another surge of your dynamis in the state we’re both in.”
The prince stood, lifting me onto two legs as well. Silence fell between us and he gently picked me up like the night before.
Liam stood a few feet away, the reins of a much calmer black stallion wrapped around his hand. Declan helped me onto the saddle, then crawled on behind me. With a few gentle clicks of his mouth, the stallion underneath us cantered on.
Exhaustion flooded my body as my shoulders began to sag. Declan’s arm carefully weaved through mine and wrapped around my stomach as he slid my aching body back against thewarmth of his chest. This time I didn’t fight it because something about it felt comfortable and safe. I let my body relax into his.
This time, it felt right.
Chapter 15
Elena
The high-pitched whinny awoke me from my slumber. Drowsiness still hung on my eyelids, but I forced them open with a sweep of my fingertips.
The clang of chains and the heaviness of my wrists made my breath hitch. My gaze fell to the iron shackles wrapped around my wrists, and a mix of emotions I invaded my mind.
Shame over the way I’d lost control of my dynamis. Guilt that I could really hurt others during the chaos. Terror that these chains might never leave my wrists again.
“Lena…” Declan whispered as he turned my chin to face his. His face crinkled with concern as my lips rolled in on themselves. Even caged within my teeth, they still trembled. “Let me see your wrists.”
Extending my hands towards his, I closed my eyes to keep the sadness held within. I heard the click of the lock and felt the heaviness being lifted away from my wrists.
“Thank you,” I breathed, opening my eyes just as he shoved the iron shackles into his satchel. A tear slipped free, and my hand shot up to capture it. Declan’s steady hand covered my own and lowered it into my lap. With his other hand, his thumb swiped away the tears that had escaped against my will.
Heat warmed my cheeks as his knuckle brushed against the edge of my jaw before he rested his hand back on his thigh. He cleared his throat. “You drained a lot of your dynamis. Anymore would have been dangerous, so I put these on.”
“I understand, it’s okay.” I turned around to face forward. He stopped me with his palm as I gathered the courage to meet his eyes again.
“I’m sorry. I should have taught you how to ward after you used your dynamis the first time.” His gaze fell from me as he ran a palm through his already mussed hair. “You passed out, and I wanted to make sure you were protected in case you woke up in a panic.”
“Passed out?”
