What the–
She jerked around. He looked as startled as she felt. He let go at once, staring at his hand like it had betrayed him.
“I didn’t mean to–” he started.
“I know,” she said quickly, voice shaking.
She turned away, grabbing her oar with trembling hands, even as his strength still simmered in her. When she looked down, her magic wasn’t pure emerald anymore. Russet threaded through it – unmistakably Thorne crimson – woven into her power like it belonged there. Her mind raced.
Magic didn’t leap between people. Not without trust, withoutintimacy. You had to let someone in deliberately. Intentionally. But his power had threaded through her like it had been searching for her. Like itknewher.
Magic sharing isn’t supposed to be that easy.
Kara glanced back one more time. Sebastian was still staring at his palm, flexing his fingers slowly. Testing. Like he was still trying to understand what had happened.
Me too.
Their eyes met for half a second. Then Jax shouted, and she looked away. They were nearly at the edge.
“Here we go,” Oryen shouted.
“Gregor,” Jax snapped. “Rock!”
A jagged boulder loomed across their path. Gregor dropped his oar and punched his hand into the air, amber light bursting free. With a groan, the rock lurched aside, sliding down the bank, clearing their bow. Jax raised both hands, his own magic flaring bright. The river resisted him, but he slowed the current beneath the boat – enough to guide them at least – keep them straight.
“Brace!” he shouted. “Now!”
They fell.
Air rushed past her. Kara heard it in her ears, her heart in her throat. There were shouts of fear behind her though she couldn’t say who from. She squeezed her eyes shut tight.
The river rose up to catch them. They hit hard, Kara’s ribs slamming forward into her oar. Pain lanced through her as water crashed over them – icy cold. The hull shuddered at the impact but didn’t break.
The vines held.
Oryen groaned behind her. “Let’s never do that again.”
Gregor coughed, spat river water and grunted his agreement.
They sat there, soaking wet and dazed, but then soft disbelieving laughter broke through them. Sebastian gave a low, incredulous curse under his breath.
Jax eyed the gentle river curving ahead of them. “I think we’re nearly back to the start. Come on, to your oars,” he told them. “We might win this thing.”
The atmosphere changed at once. Together, smooth and focused now, they rowed around the corner to Jax calling, “One, two, one, two.”
Then they saw it. The finish line. And there were no other boats. As they rowed the final stretch, cheers erupted from both sides of the bank – alongside more than a few confused glances at their boat all wrapped in tree roots. With a final push, they crossed the line. They’d made it. First ones back. Their boat drifted slowly to the bank, shouts and cheers echoing around them. Jax jumped off first, fist pumping the air, Navyrian and Lyran banners in the crowd being waved madly. Enchanted parchments flew over their heads towards the judge’s chair. Reports of the events on the river no doubt. Caldris magic. After a minute, Kara stood, unsteady. Sebastian held out his hand – then hesitated. They looked at each other for a second too long. Kara knew they were both thinking the same thing.
Will it happen again?
Sebastian withdrew his hand, turning instead to help Morra, who was currently struggling to her feet. Kara was glad of it. The memory of that russet – Thorne magic – weaving through her emerald dominated her thoughts. Kara didn’t understand how it had happened. It certainly wasn’t normal. Or safe.
But it had feltright.
What the hell did that mean?
And Gods, why did she want to do it again?
CHAPTER 6
