“So, a phoenix, huh?” he says with a half smile, and I sigh.
“Apparently.”
“Are you doing okay?” He tilts his head to the side and I shrug.
Clearing my throat, I draw a tight smile to my lips. “Saying yes would be a lie,” I admit, and the truth feels heavy on my tongue as I admit what I'm struggling with.
“Well, how about we start off with the basics and ignore what she had to say? I was terrible at the beginning; it was actually Archer who helped me when my magic was triggered.”
My eyes widen in surprise. That’s where their connection is from.
“Is it awkward if I ask what your magic is?” I mumble, and his smile grows.
“I can basically absorb heat, extinguish a single flame, a fire, or a raging inferno.”
My jaw falls slack.
“That sounds insane,” I admit, and he snickers.
“It’s definitely something, but enough about me. I'm here to help you, and also to get out of the rest of my classes for the day, because that sounds like a dream.”
I laugh, the sound real on my lips as my chest lightens.
“Thanks, Dorian,” I mumble, and he grins.
“Anytime. Now, let's take a lap of the cave.”
“Does that help?” I ask, peering around the space, already doubting him as my nerves attempt to settle into calmness, but the wariness lingers.
“The best thing that you can do is learn that the heat, the fire, is all around us. Especially in here.” He swirls his finger in the air. “Before I could make a single tiny flicker of a flame, I spent weeks walking this cave, dragging my hand across the walls, lingering an inch above the lava in an attempt to connect. I truly believe that the consistent attempts and repetition built my connection.” His eyes shimmer.
“It's worth a try, then, right?” I admit, and he smiles
Without a word, he takes the lead, walking to the nearest edge, pressing his palm against the rockery as he moves slowly around the room.
I follow suit, trying my best to copy where he stands, where he places his hand, but as we make our way around a second time, he offers me a knowing smile.
“You're overthinking it, Ivy. I'm going to go and stand in the middle. Let’s have you try it on your own.”
I clear my throat, taking the critique the best I can, as I repeat the motion. Focusing on my breathing, my fingers ghost across the rough surface, and my eyes fall closed as I let my instincts take over.
My steps are blind as I let the heat guide me.
I have no idea how far I've traveled when the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I stop. The heat increases, stealing my breath as I hear Dorian.
“Holy shit, Ivy. Don't move.”
My muscles clench in anticipation and panic as my fingers tremble.
“I don't want you to lose the connection, but when you can peek an eye open, glance to your right hand.”
I frown in confusion as I take stock of my body. My feet are planted on the ground beneath me, my left palm against the rockery, and my right arm extended out at my side, a fact I hadn't realized until he mentioned it just now.
Inhaling slowly, I tilt my head just enough to pry my eyelids open and glance out of the corner of my eye.
A gasp bursts past my lips, startling me.
There, on my index finger, is a small flame. It's right there on the tip of my finger, and it doesn’t immediately disperse at my shock.
