I scoffed. “Don’t call it for me.”
“This is why Cora trains you.” His eyes softened.
“I thought it was because you didn’t want to watch me destroy your territory again.” I laughed.
He shook his head. “No. Cora remembers what it feels like to not be in control of her magic. I don’t.”
I closed my eyes and imagined the bird that greeted us in the infirmary, felt its little feet prodding at my palm. I opened my eyes, and two little black eyes were staring back at me. Smooth, glimmering, golden-streaked feathers nestled into my palm.
“There are times you’re connecting with your magic, and you don’t even know it.” His melodic voice washed over me, grounding me. His hand hovered over my heart. “You carry such strength…not just in your magic, but in who you are. It’s yours to claim. It was there even when I met you, but you weren’t ready to see it.”
“And you did?”
“The moment I did, my heart was no longer my own.”
“When did you know?” I asked.
“It doesn’t matter when.”
The little bird lifted its wings and took flight from my hand. “It matters to me. When did you first start to feel that way?”
“When I held my blade to your chest. My heart clenched so tightly…and when they were dragging you…and you screamed. A part of me shattered.”
They attacked him, because he was looking for me—fighting for me.
“You…didn’t tell me.”
“We were a little busy and then I was bleeding out.” His laughter fell short. “I won’t even ask you when you knew. You hated that you sensed me at the willow tree.”
“I didn’t hate it,” I grew quieter. “Just didn’t understand it. It terrified me.”
“I terrified you?”
“Maybe at first.” I folded my hands in front of me. “I had never felt like this before, and sensing someone… well that’s something else entirely. You were so persistent, and I couldn’t explain it to you.”
“I wanted to hear you felt like I did.”
I gasped. “And I told you it was nothing…said I wanted Fyn to walk me back.”
“Not going to lie, that one hurt a little. I was so sure you only cared about him.”
“It was only ever you. I’m sorry,” I said.
“Don’t be. It led us to this.” He paused for a moment as he leaned back into the tree. “There’s something I want to ask you about. There is a ritual coming up in a few days. I’d like for you to take part in it with me.”
“What kind of ritual?”
“The Verdant Alignment. The night in which the stars align to bless the Earth with their powers. I use my grounding magic to perform a ritual that helps spread the celestial powers to the land.”
“To ease the blight?” I asked.
“It strengthens the land, but can’t ease the blight. I would love for you to partake in it with me. You are ready.”
A chill crawled through me—flashes of the destroyed roses etched into my memory. “Maybe it’s best if you just do it.”
“If both of us partake in the ritual, it may enhance the celestial energy and help the land further.” His stance eased. “I will show you exactly what to do.”
“I’d like to help if I can.” I looked back at the castle, the rose garden just out of view. “Will there be a cost?”
