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My upper lip curls over my teeth. "You want to see me snap?" I want him to go away, and words aren't working, so I let him have a peek at what I am under the surface.
It's supposed to be nothing more than a glance to scare him away. I lower my shields the tiniest of fractions, knowing he can feel a hint of my power. That should be enough to send him running in the opposite direction with his tail between his legs. Except the moment I let go, I feel the energy blast out of me. I can't stop it. I gasp, reaching forward to call back the dark green waves of pure light storming so fast the ground shakes under it.
What have I done?
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
THE GROVE
Iremember the day I killed Eldan. I hadn’t struck in anger, so I must have used a tenth of this power.
It's only as I stare at the destructive magik’s path in complete and utter horror that I realize I don't want any harm to come to Reiks. He frustrates me with his machinations, and his high-handedness, but for all that, I actually quite enjoy spending time with him. He's drawn me out of my comfort zone for a few days, and it was lovely.
My temper got the better of me yet again, like it used to when I was a child, and I've done something I can't take back. I strain to make the destructive waves of primal force come back to me, my entire body tense, both hands forward. I think I scream. My magik slows down, its fog still crawling toward Reiks.
"Please go,” I beg, straining to hold on. “I can't control it for long." I haven't created a spell, so this is just unfocused energy without any direction, but I've seen its brutal power. The creatures of these lands just aren't made to withstand the sheer potency of my abilities. It breaks them.Ibreak them.
To my horror, Reiks smiles, and takes a step forward. "When are you going to understand, feather? I'm here. I will help you through this. One step at the time."
"I'm going tokillyou." I can feel tears on my cheeks. "I beg of you, run." I can't have more blood on my fingers. Especially not his.
I don't even care about the ramifications of a witch—any witch, but a Frejr in particular—murdering the heir of Anderkan. I don't give a fuck about the fact that this could cause the next great war shattering this realm. I just don't want to hurt him.
Reiks reaches the edges of the dark green fog and raises a hand, his fingertip tracing the edges of the shadowy light. He's yards away, but I can feel it, like a phantom touch right inside me. Then he steps into the mist.
I watch, helpless, as my magik surrounds him, coating his body before being absorbed. I see his skin turn ink black as the last of my blast disappears inside him. Then the shadows fade, his color returns, and he shines in the darkness of the grove.
Reiks cracks his neck to one side and winces, before chuckling. "That stung, feather."
I stand completely still, bewildered by what just occurred.
He's fine. There's not so much as a scratch on him. Hell, he's better than fine. I can see a difference in his aura. It seems wilder, now. Stronger. Similar to mine.
He crosses the space between us and at his approach, I notice that his usual silver-gray eyes have changed to a familiar bright green; the color of my eyes. "You're a syphon," I finally breathe.
It all makes sense. How he seems to understand me before I say a word. Syphons glimpse into the minds of those around them, whether they want to or not.
"You're not supposed to have abilities," I say stupidly. "You're aReiks."
"Sue me," he chuckles, thoroughly entertained.
I shake my head, still stunned. Syphons are rare enough, but one capable of taking inmyenergy? I wouldn't even have dreamt of this being possible. And if I had, I would have hunted him down to the ends of the earth for the last ten years.I wouldn’t have to wait six to eight weeks around him. He can take in a little of my power, my curse, whenever it gets too much for me.
"Are you going to be a good girl and listen to me now, feather?" he asks, bringing his hand to my cheek.
I think back to the strange feeling I've had every time we've touched, however fleetingly. I hadn't been able to place it before, but now, I see. He's absorbed my excess energy every time, stabilizing me.
How the hell is he capable of doing that withoutexploding?
I want to ask, but I'm too busy experiencing the featherlight touch of his finger on my skin, tracing along my collarbone.
I've let the bulk of my power evaporate into the aether every festival day for the last ten years, but the experience has always been unpleasant—my energy leaves reluctantly. It's part of me. Relinquishing it is unnatural, as Valina has told me a hundred times, at least.
Reiks's touch? It feels right. It feelsperfect. His fingertips coax, and the light inside me is only too glad to flow to him. Each of his touches is electric and blindingly exquisite.
He moves his hand away and I half gasp, half moan, feeling its loss. Reiks smirks."Well?"
"What?" I'm disoriented and desperate for him to touch me more.
