Sebastian nodded, keeping his head held high and his body stiff during the exchange—very soldier-like. “Yes.”
The king returned to his seat. “Very well.”
Sebastian laxed his stance a bit, but tension coated the air in the room now. I sat in awe of him. He was a real life example of how years of soldier-hood trained you to be numb. I didn't remember my father, but knew if he ever spoke to me in that manner, that it would sting at least a little.
“Professor Stoll informed me that your power has manifested?” King Hawthorne asked me, changing the subject.
“Yes, sir, I have been told the same,” I grumbled, irritated with how he just spoke to his son.
Lines appeared on his forehead. He was clearly not in the mood for my antics. “The ability to alter minds is a gift that people wouldkillto get their hands on.” The king put emphasis on the gravity of my gift, and I knew there was some truth in that claim. “It won't be long before news of your power has spread throughout the kingdom. I have already made the citizens of Caelestis aware of what will happen to traitors, but given the circumstances and magnitude of your gift, perhaps I should give them a reminder.”
A lump formed in my throat. He meant that he should remind every one of their impending death should they slip up.
“I want bi-weekly reports of how your wielding is progressing,” he proclaimed, his eyes bouncing between Sebastian and me. “Professor Stoll will keep me updated, but every two weeks you and I shall have a discussion regarding your progress.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Is that really nec?—”
Sebastian flashed me another look, this one telling me not to test my luck.
“Congratulations on your powers, Miss Willawood.” King Hawthorne stood and held out a hand for me to shake.
I just stared at it. A handshake was a sign of respect, and this man had not yet earned that from me. Under normal circumstances, I would have never even thought about disrespecting an authoritative figure in this manner. But these were not normal circumstances.
King Hawthorne cherished the ground I walked on. He was undone over a cut on my face, for gods’ sakes. I'd be damned if he retaliated against me for not shaking his hand.
So I didn’t.
“Enjoy the rest of your day, sir,” I said, turning my back on the ruler of Caelestis and escorting myself out of his study.
Chapter
Thirteen
Sebastian walked me back to my room, not saying a word the entire time. He seemed uncomfortable, and I think he felt ashamed that I heard his father speak to him in that manner. Unbeknownst to him, I wasn't surprised to witness their banter after what Pia had told me about their relationship.
It was almost dusk by the time I settled back into my room. Before he left, Sebastian told me he would be back in two hours to escort me to the kitchen for dinner. Finally alone, I changed out of my clothes and into something more comfortable before lying down on my bed. I stared blankly at the ceiling for an hour, trying to process the day.
I went over my wielding session in my head, trying to comprehend how I used my gift without even realizing. If wielding my power and shielding others required me to use a similar mental tactic, how would I distinguish between the two? There must have been a way to channel magic without needing to be in a complete state of relaxation. It would just require more practice for me to figure out.
The clock ticked on the top of my wardrobe, and I peeredover at it. I still had some time before Sebastian was back. I could be back in my room before he even noticed I left.
Within seconds, the outside air brushed over my skin, making me wish I had something warmer on. The humid summer nights were almost gone, replaced by the crisp kiss of fall. Goosebumps rose on my arms as I hurried through the thick dune grass that separated the dormitories from the shore.
I kicked my shoes off in the sand to walk barefoot along the edge of the water, keeping my eyes peeled for what I was looking for. About a quarter of a mile from my shoes, my gaze set on two tiny eyes, glowing in the moonlight. I slowed my pace, tiptoeing until I approached the small crab. It scurried back and forth, playing a game with the waves as they rolled up and down the sand. I crouched down a few feet away from it and settled my full attention on the power within me.
I didn't close my eyes like I had with Pia, instead I locked them on the crab and envisioned it turning away from the water. I imagined it scurrying further back on the sand where it was safe, but the command didn't work—the crab just continued its battle with the tide.
With my legs getting sore from crouching, I sat down fully, not caring that wet sand now covered my pants. I closed my eyes and tried to recreate what I had done in class. Relaxing my mind, I said out loud, “Get away from the water.”
I squinted my eyes open, only to see that the crab had not moved. Groaning in frustration, I propped my elbow on my knee, resting my chin on my hand.Maybe my magic only worked on humans?I considered the possibility, but quickly shot the idea down when I recalled what Stoll read me from his book. Blythe’s power worked on anything with a soul.
An aggressive gust of wind blew by, but I ignored the sting of cold air and crawled ever so slightly towards the crab. When it was distracted by an incoming wave, I scooped it into my hands then rose to my feet.
The crab’s beady eyes flickered back and forth. It settled into my hands rather quickly, its delicate legs scurrying over my palm.
“Alright, little one, let's try this again,” I said to the crustacean as though it could understand me.
Completely still, I focused my full attention on my command. I let the sound of the sea aid in the relaxation of my body and mind. When I felt prepared, I said out loud, “Close your eyes.”
