Page 126 of A Whisper of Cinders

I down it in seconds, thanking him as his fingers tilt my head up. “I was about to see if you needed some healing, but you seem to have done so yourself.”

My hands touch my nose, the bone there tender, but not painful in any way. My fingers still come back red though, I can only imagine what I look like right now.

“I really don’t understand how this works. How is it possible that I can heal without thinking about it, but summoning a small flame feels like running a three-day marathon?”

Out of thin air, Aramis manifests a small cloth and starts wiping away the blood that is probably smeared everywhere. “I believe healing has been a part of you for a long time. You have a gentle nature and always care more about others. You will put yourself last and even lower than that.”

“Your fire powers are part of you too, feather, but flames can be wild and unpredictable and that is further away from who you are.”

“I’m going to check on the other injured, see you later?” Aramis asks and I nod, watching as Conláed holds out his hand to me.

“You did okay out there.”

“Okay? Have you seen Daelan? He could’ve ended the fight in seconds if he wanted to. I’d say I did more than okay.”

The corners of his mouth twitch as his burning eyes analyse my face. “You did, although he did go easy on you in the beginning,” I close one eye, anticipating what he’s going to say next. “But, you did good, admitting that to yourself isn’t something that comes easy for you.”

Oh.

Does he know me that well already?

“There are some things I would’ve done differently, but since it was your first real battle against an unexpected opponent, you did great.”

“Thank you.”

His fingers graze my cheek and fire follows along with it. Heat spreads through my veins, and I know if I would try to summon a flame, there would be no issue now. He’s like my personal amplifier.

“A bruise was forming there.” Oh, right he wasn’t touching me out of his own free will. Of course not. “And even though your flames feel distinct and far away from you right now, at one point you will embrace them and no one will be able to stop you.”

I hold back a sigh. I just hope I won’t have to turn into something I’m not to let them surge.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Tonight is a super moon. Besides the spectacle that can be seen, I didn’t think it was something of any importance. But I am living at Moonveil Academy, so of course they have to make an event about it.

The hallways are full of life and excited voices. And although I don’t mind it at all, I’m not sure what it is for.

Ami hooks her arm into mine as we make our way to the restaurant. “Do you know what you’re going to wear tonight?”

I look down — I choose a burgundy turtleneck, a colour that somehow changes the colour of my eyes, and a wide-legged pair of cream trousers — and wonder what is wrong with my current attire.

“Uhm, this probably?”

She stops us in the middle of the hallway. “Look, babes, don’t get me wrong, even with a potato bag you would look divine.” I burst out in laughter ready to deny her statement, but she holds up her hand. “You can wear it to the ceremony, but not in a million years will you go to the party wearing that.”

“There is a…party?”

Ami starts walking backwards, grabbing my hand and tugging me forward. “Uh yes there is. It’s the party we long for, desire, crave, ache —”

“I get the point, Ami.”

“…every three months.”

We reach the restaurant and I push against the doors holding them open for Ami. “Why every three months?”

Neoma follows immediately after us as if she appeared out of thin air. “Because the super moon occurs every three months and we have to honour her. We — the Eilistrean priestesses — hold a ceremony for the moon to give us strength and guidance in these troubled times. And the party, well,” she orders her food and I follow her to one of the free tables. “Let’s just say the moon can give the fae very strong…feelings.”

I look a little helpless at Siri, who was already sitting at the table. “You probably remember the Moonveil nectar?”