Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“That’s not your full strength?”
He winks. “No, give me a bit. I will show you my full power.”
I smile and conjure my own bow. My hand lights with purple-and-gold light as my arrow forms. As I load the arrow, the tip lights with a flame.
I release and the colors change while the arrow of magic flies through the air. My shot, too, has a thunderous sound as it splits through the center of Argon’s and impales the target.
“I expected nothing less,” he says and chuckles.
Without a word, he takes another shot. This time it goes through the center of my arrow, but that’s not all. The force of it vibrates back to us and thunder fills the sky above.
“Now I’m starting to feel more like myself,” he croons.
“Did you just…”
“I owe the man an apology,” Dinesh says out of nowhere. “I don’t know what’s sexier. The fact that he has that kind of power or that he’s actually getting close to matching hers.”
I want to say both, but I’m stunned into silence. I felt he was powerful when he first arrived, but this is much more than what I felt.
Suddenly, pillar-like beams of light slam into the ground, one by one, surrounding us all. I go on guard; surely Argon hasn’t decided to betray me. I’m so angry with myself.
However, as I focus, he stands before me protectively. His back is to me as a sword rests within his palm. I give a quick scan for danger.
“Stay back,” Argon demands as I go to step around him.
It’s then I see them. While shooting arrows, I hadn’t been paying attention. Two wolves creep from the woods, snarling as their focus is locked on us.
They must have sensed us using magic. It’s unusual for them to come this close. I release a roar and they fly back, flipping through the air before landing on their paws and turning to run back the way they came.
“Lady Blaise, are you all right?” Bach asks.
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you, Argon.”
He turns to me and brushes a finger over my cheek. “No, thank you. I think I’ve stretched my powers enough for one day. Let’s go back inside where you are safe.”
I scoff. “I’m safe anywhere I am.”
“Yes, but I like knowing you don’t need to have your guard up. Let’s have a game night or watch a movie.”
I look up at him through my lashes. “I’d like that.”
* * *
Argon
It felt good to use my magic. I’m grateful to Blaise for her trust. However, something didn’t feel right about those wolves or the woods they came from. They were surrounded by dark magic, no matter how faint.
I’ve been analyzing what I felt for hours now. If it wouldn’t risk Blaise’s trust in me, I’d go out there to investigate for myself.
“I’m sure she would have felt someone else enter her realm. Stop overthinking,” I bite out to myself.
I pace my room, deep in thought, not able to shake this feeling. My power is still heightened. I reach out to feel for Blaise, just to check on her.
The moment I find her, a sharp pain runs through my chest. It’s my link. It opens wider as if reaching for Blaise itself.
Earlier, when I felt she was in danger, I was almost certain my spirit reflection would fully manifest. In this moment, I’m not sure it won’t.
Not wanting my spirit reflection to surface or fully open without knowing what this means for Blaise and me, I stumble over to my bed.
“For now, I need to rest this off. There has to be an explanation.”
Chapter 19
Perfect
Argon
I look in the mirror at the black suit and blue ascot I have on. My eyes look brighter than they had. A smile comes to my lips. Blaise sent a magazine to me and asked that I dress up like this for tonight.
I still don’t know what we’re doing this evening. However, I did feel the excitement coming off of Blaise throughout the day. I use my magic to braid back the front of my hair on each side and leave the rest in long waves down my back and around my shoulders.
“This is good,” Dinesh says.
“Very good,” Bach adds.
“Hmm,” I grunt and nod. “Is she ready?”
“Yes, we will lead you to her,” Dinesh offers.
We all start out of the room. I pull at my cuffs to straighten them. I wave my fingers before me, then place my hand behind my back as we reach the double doors.
They open and I step through to the large ballroom. The first things to grab my attention are the gold music notes floating through the air like bubbles. They are floating in time to the music.
“Come, come, we must get you in place,” Bach says as I stand frozen, taking the ballroom in.
I follow him to the ornate illuminated crest in the center of the floor, right below a winding double staircase. As I step into the center of the crest, Dinesh gasps while looking up toward the top of the stairs.