The cacophony of sound was so loud and varied that I could only pick up snippets and pieces, but they all had the same delighted tone. I looked around in awe of the people who raised me, now so happy to see me go and fulfill some other purpose. For the thousandth time today, I felt tears on my face. But this time, they were of gratitude and happiness.
Person after person, family after family, pulled me in for tight hugs andwell wishes until it felt like everyone in town had said their goodbyes. After I hugged the last person, I looked around awkwardly at their waiting and open faces.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “For . . . well, everything.” It was lame and not anywhere near as deep of gratitude as I should express, but it got the point across.
“Now, Fay, go pack your things and go on an adventure. We’ll be here if you ever need to come back.” Grant wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “And for gods’ sake, girl, take a bath.” His comment was met with laughs from all, and I couldn’t help but join in.
It was dark when I left, the General and his Mages already camped by the edge of the woods, and I clutched my little box to me, full of my cactus and books, as I made the trek from the village back to my house on the edge of the woods. I took it slow, gazing at each building and group of homes, each farm, as I passed. My steps were light and sure, my toes digging into the dirt, and a gentle breeze accompanied my journey. When I got to the door of my cottage, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I thought I would feel heavy and sad leaving everything I knew behind, but I felt lighter than I had in weeks.
Change was coming, I could feel it, and I was ready to go with it.
Chapter 44
Ellowyn
My bare feet snagged over the cracked, dry ground, the crackling in the sky seeming to mirror my mood from when I was awake. The storm that dominated this dreamscape appeared angrier than usual tonight, the normally pensive colors whirled agitatedly in the sky, and lightning periodically cracked from dark cloud to dark cloud.
But still there was no rain.
The ground, if possible, was drier than the last time I visited this place.
It’s a dream, I should be able to make it rain.
But try as I might, I couldn’t mentally affect the dreamscape.
I walked for a few minutes before growing agitated. The landscape never changed, no matter how much I walked, the mountains in the distance never got closer.
I think I’ll just sit.
Eventually Fate would find me. Or Torin. They always did when I was here, and I was tired of walking.
So, I sat. In the middle of the cracked and barren landscape, I sat. Nothing for company—no animals, or plants, no noise aside from the occasional crack of lightning.
It was eerie and my itch to create in this space was almost overbearing.
I had practiced with my powers recently, creating a few landscapes andgardens that even my private tutors were shocked by. Creation Mages were few and far between, so my parents had sent for one from a few territories over to come act as my tutor until I could attend the Academy in Vespera. We were keeping my Destruction Magic a secret, for now, and so my parents only had me trained in the magic the Warlord knew I possessed.
My control was still lacking, though, and I often gave into the demands of my magic. It called to me, spoke to me. Whispered things.
It was like I couldfeelwhen a place needed a dose of Creation, and this place was simply radiating with that need.
I sighed as I called the green magic to my palms, a kaleidoscope of colors winking from within the tendrils. The sight of it was calming, and my agitation instantly lessened. I went to push my hand to the ground and thrust my Creation Magic into this space, but halted when I heard a voice—his voice.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
I whirled, my magic dying as I closed myself to it, to find Torin staring at me.
“We really need to stop meeting like this,” I deadpanned as I shoved to my feet, my nightdress catching on my toes as I stood.
I hastily threw my arms around my chest, trying to block the sight of my nearly sheer gown.
Torin quirked a half-smile at me, his almost blond hair falling into his hazel eyes. It was cut differently than last time, shorter on the sides with longer pieces on top. He was still just as handsome as ever, though.
“I know, Ell,” he admitted softly, his expression and eyes matching his tone. “I’m...sorry it’s always like this and never out there.” He gestured vaguely to the outside world.
I quirked my head at him as the storm raged overhead. “This is my dreamscape. And I haven’t seen you since my Awakening, so I really don’t know why I would call you here.”
He gave me a full, dazzling smile at that. “It’s not actually your dreamscape. Neither is it mine. It’s Fate’s, I think. Or at least that’s what I’ve come to believe.” I cocked my head at him as I thought about it. It reallydidseem like Fate’s landscape. “And I’m sorry for not visiting recently. Or writing. There’s been . . . some unrest in the South and the Borderlands. I was needed back home to take care of some things.”
