AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Of course it is,” Eirik says, but there’s no patronising element to his tone. He truly believes it. “You act like you’re a burden, when it’s the farthest thing from the truth. You’re ouranima nexum,and it’s our pleasure to help you with anything.”
“It’s not like you signed up for me, though.”
“Even if I didn’t sign up for you, Zoe, I’d have still chosen you,” he says, cupping my cheek. Ever so slowly, he leans in, and the intention is clear. He’s going to kiss me. He presses his lips to mine, softly at first, hesitant, even. I try to copy his movements, hoping I’m doing it right.
He pulls away, resting his forehead against mine.
“Um, just to make it clear, I meant you didn’t sign up for the soul witch thing,” I say, and he grins. His thumb rubs back and forth over my cheek as his eyes hold me captive.
“Let’s practice our fire,” he says, and I smile. He steps away from me, and we look out at the icy hills, the snow glistening prettier than anything I’ve ever seen in real life before. “Fire is one of the easiest elements to master, well, unless you’re like us.”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“Fire is a very free element. They give into their passion, and let all of their emotions guide them. You’re more like me. Rigid, wanting to keep things in an order.”
“Emotions are messy,” I murmur, knowing he understands me completely. I shake out my hair, but after the sweaty mess I was during practice with Mael, it’s minging. I need a shower.
“They can be, but they’re also powerful.”
“That makes very little sense to me. How is letting go going to help me learn to control it?”
“You’re not letting go, though, love. You’re letting your passion guide you, guide your magicae. You’re not unleashing, not like you’re used to. You’ll be in control.”
“How?” I ask. “I sound so pitiful, and I’m sorry—”
“Don’t apologise,” he says, shaking his head. He comes to stand behind me, and takes my arms in his. “We’re going to take some of your anger and project it into fire.”
“Anger?” I whisper.
“Anger at Maggie for dying. Anger at her for lying to you. Anger at our world for killing your people. Angry at Professor Byzatic for calling you hopeless. Anything and everything that is pissing you off, we’re going to use.”
“But—”
“The goal is to create a fireball,” Eirik murmurs, his breathing sounding heavy in my ears.
“Okay.”
“Think about how your heart rate starts speeding up when you’re annoyed,” he says, keeping his tone soft, and calm. “How you can literally feel the blood pumping around your veins. Your jaw clenches, you bite your lip or use your nails to cut the palm of your hands so that you don’t let the angry words escape.”
My breathing gets heavier as I can feel these emotions happening. I’m picturing the fireball in my mind, but my magicae just isn’t there yet.
“You tend to withdraw into yourself,” Eirik continues. “You let the rage simmer inside of you, bubbling in your stomach. Your ears might ring, you might even get warm. No… warm isn’t enough. You get hot, Zoe love. You get so angry that the rage consumes you, literally heating you up.”
And just like that, flames burst out of me. It’s not a fireball, or even a pretty dragon.
It’s literally flames coming out of my hands, guided by Eirik and shooting the ice caps opposite us. I watch them melt, my fire doing no harm.
“You did it,” he whispers, the quiet tone a direct contrast to the pure pride running through me. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
The flames extinguish, and I toss him a grin over my shoulder.
“Now, we try that again,” he says, stepping away from me. “But this time, love? We’re not going to use anger.”
“What are we going to use?”
“Happiness. Excitement. Love. Take your pick, but I want it to be a positive emotion. They’re more powerful than negative emotions, even if they’re harder to master.”
“Love sounds good.”
