Page 5 of Her Ivory Flame

“What is your theory on getting my magic back?” she asked calmly and studied him closely.

“We know Mavros didn’t take it and that you buried it inside yourself somehow right?” he asked with his eyebrow raised.

“I was scared I would break and finally give it to him, so I concentrated on building a wall around it to protect it until eventually Mavros couldn’t sense it anymore.” She closed her eyes and tried to take a deep breath to keep the horrific memories at bay. Noone could take another’s magic, but you could give it to someone willingly.

Mavros tortured her everyday to try and get her to give it up to him. Everyday she would refuse, but towards the end she was getting tired of fighting and was terrified of him breaking her. It was when death came knocking she realized she needed to do something before he succeeded.

“Emotions.” Silas spoke quietly. “I think we can break your wall down that you built around it by enhancing them as you train or maybe go see a healer for advice.”

She cleared her throat and again leaned on the table narrowing her eyes on him. It was hard to be mad at him for asking such a thing, but she also knew he wouldn’t ask unless it was the last option.

“So let me get this straight.” An exasperated breath escaped her. “You need me to come back into society hoping that you can emotionally torture me into getting my powers back and on top of that, fight for a king that betrayed my people.”

Silas eyed her carefully and leaned back in his chair with his shoulders square.

“Yes,” he replied in a sympathetic tone.

She shook her head and placed it in her hands trying to wrap her mind around what he was asking. There would be no going back after this, and she would constantly have to look over her shoulder until the war was over.

“I know this isn’t an easy decision for you and it’s unfair for me to ask with such a short time for considering it. Regardless, I do have to leave in the morning,” he whispered.

“So soon?” she questioned in a whisper.

She could feel her heart lurch in her chest as her eyes met his. He usually stayed a few days at a time to keep her company, but it seemed that was not happening this time.

“I’m needed at home, Emris is on high alert and needs all his generals. I had to fight just to make this trip.” His eyes softened and he reached his arm out to her, her hand taking his gently. “Even if it's only for a day, even if you don't come back with me, I will always fight to come see you.”

He pressed a soft kiss on the top of her hand. She took a deep breath, her eyes scanning his now relaxed face and she could see a small smile form on the corner of his cheek.

“Care to take a walk?” He asked and she rose from the table with him.

Her eyes watched his face soften as she joined him closer to the door, his hand reaching out for hers effortlessly like so many times in the past.

She didn’t hesitate to grab it, their hands intertwining. She could feel her mind trying to take her attention away from him. All the information he had given her was pushing to the front of her mind, but she fought the anxiety to try and be in the moment with him.

She could stay and hide like she had in the last century, or leave to fight to try and save what little part of the world was left even if her people were dead. Right now she didn’t know if she wanted to do either.

Chapter 3

The moon had settled in the middle of the night sky, the breeze from her open window hitting her half covered body while leaving a faint tickle on her skin.

Silas had fallen asleep a few hours before, his body currently occupying the other half of her bed. She tried to sleep but her mind would not let her settle, her nerves on high alert.

Their walk consisted of talking about training and a small amount of politics in the kingdom. He knew she wasn't super keen on that part of his life in the castle, but she knew he also needed someone to vent to freely. By the way he spoke, she knew he was trying to be delicate on details, but at the end of his story she could tell he felt better mentally.

She didn’t really have anything new to tell him other than Thron’s request to be his girlfriend. She could feel his body tenseas they walked with their arms linked, an almost feral rumble sounding from his chest.

“Don’t worry.” She chuckled while eyeing him sideways as they walked. “I said no.”

“You can do whatever you want,” he said casually.

“True.” She shrugged. “But I know prettier males.”

She watched a grin pull at his lips but didn’t say another word about the subject. Hours later they climbed into bed like their normal routine when he visited and she heard his breath deepen quickly as he fell asleep.

She could feel herself getting restless and knew sleep was going to evade her for a long while still. As quietly as possible, she rose from her bed and padded across the room to the oak chest. She had not opened it in years, the dust collecting on top of it evident. Taking a deep breath she pried the top open, the hinges gliding it up quietly.

Her sword laid in full view on top of her Valkyrie armor that was organized neatly along the bottom.