Page 71 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

Aerion rotated his chakrams once again, pointing to the barely visible current of power surrounding them. “Runed weapons can channel our magic. Sometimes they create extensions, like how my wind is presenting as a shield, or they can infuse the weapon, making it indestructible.”

“Aerion!” Raiden appeared, his temper leaking into the atmosphere. “She’s not ready yet.”

Kora stood, holding the dagger out in front of her. It didn’t look any different, aside from the glowing star. “Can you infuse weapons without runes?”

Both Aerion and Raiden glanced at her, confusion mirrored on their faces.

“That day on the ship, I’d used my power around swords, created my own shield. I can create weapons from water.” Kora searched within to see whether her well of power was strong enough yet to demonstrate. Despite her water beast eager to play, she felt drained.

Raiden rubbed his chin. “I remember. You never did that before. It may be that your power has manifested in a different way this time. Just like how all our wind powers are different. But where you added water to the weapons, doesn’t mean they’re infused or channelled. You just . . . added to it.”

The blue hue faded from the dagger as the remaining energy sapped from Kora. She swayed and Raiden rushed to her in an instant. Yet, his hands didn’t touch her. Instead, invisible currents of wind supported her legs, holding her upright.

“You need to rest, now.” Raiden glared at his brother. “Aerion, you pushed her too hard.”

“Stop mothering her.” Aerion rolled his eyes, dangling his chakrams from his hands as though it were a simple toy. They twirled on a single finger, a small wrap of black leather protecting his skin from the lethal edges.

“Mothering?” Raiden bristled.

“Always fussing over her. Making sure she sleeps. Making sure no one hurts her in training and always coo—”

Raiden raised a hand, cutting Aerion off. “There’s less than five weeks till her deal with Father runs out. We both know how those go.”

“I do hate it when males talk about me like I’m not here,” Kora grumbled.

Raiden’s mouth twitched, his stare softening. The sun had fully set, the lanterns in the arena bathing his face in a sultry glow and Kora glanced away, her toes curling. “I best return to my room. Do you mind . . . accompanying me?”

Kora tried to mind-speak to Raiden in this instance, but once again failed. There were still endless mercenaries in the arena training and sparring, and she didn’t want to admit she wasn’t sure if she could walk out of here.

“Need some assistance, Huntress?”

Kora bit her lip, and a small current of wind circled her body in response.

“Of course,” Raiden spoke casually. Aerion’s stare darted between the two of them as Kora hesitantly stepped forward, and relief flooded her as those phantom hands supported her stride through the arena.

A sea of eyes followed her, and in the far corner, Skylar’s sneer practically beamed from where she bested male after male. Stood behind her was Cassidy, observing the arena with minimal interest, her lasso permanently attached to her hip. Kora’s scar heated, and she rubbed where it now expanded to her neck, strange vulnerability creeping across her flushed skin.

They all saw her as a parasite. She could tell from their twisted lips and judgemental stares. They’d expected a lady, a previous member of their king’s court, and known leader of the Galenite War to return. But instead received their enemy, a weakened replica, a tainted hunter.

“Tell me about the powers between your siblings.” Kora rushed as they neared the heavy doors. “Why do elementals’ powers manifest differently?”

Raiden arched a brow. “Unlike the other factions, where you’re granted a singular gift, elemental magic can manifest in a variety of sub-powers for each person. It’s not as simple as wielding air, water or fire. Nuances of the wielder’s personality entwine with the power. But despite that, you’re classed as a singular wielder. There’s never been a record of anyone having more than one faction.”

They passed through the doors, and Kora already felt lighter as the weight of the arena’s stares faded away. Raiden slowed as they crossed the foyer towards the double stairwell.

“As you know, I can speak into someone’s mind with the wind. It’s a first for any elemental. I can also fly pretty well.” Raiden shrugged as Kora gaped. “Every elemental has the basic level of wielding their element, so we can all control the wind. I can also connect with the weather, and pull lightning from the sky.”

Kora stumbled on the first step and his magic gripped harder. Her cheeks flamed as a gentle caress brushed up her inner thigh, and she pretended it was just her imagination.

“You created a cyclone on the ship from thin air,” she recalled. “A storm on a clear day.”

“Creation is harder than manipulation, something my siblings cannot do. Skylar can’t fly like us, and depends on her flight suit to do so. Aerion can make anything float, no matter how heavy it is. His gift is connected to his movements, and he has powerful deflection—a perfect shield.”

They rounded the top of the staircase and followed the warm hallways down to the west wing. Kora paused at another dark table shoved to the side, a dead plant wilting within a terracotta pot.

“All the vegetation died in the Mist. There was no sunlight.” Raiden’s breath brushed the back of her neck as he hovered behind her. The leaves crumbled beneath her fingertips as she touched it. Aerion had mentioned how dark and cold it’d been . . . she’d never imagined this island suffering the past decade.

“There’re flowers on my balcony. A forest and green gardens just outside.” Kora turned to face him. Gods, his warmth seared her.