Chapter 12
Chapter twelve
Ashwiyaa
“You can only escape the laws of this world in lightning flashes.” -Simone Weil
My boots tread silently as I walk down the middle of the road.
The sky above is heavy with the promise of rain.
I can smell it lingering in the air. Tilting my head back, I let a small smile curve my lips.
I love the rain—there’s something purifying about it.
It always leaves me feeling fresh and renewed.
“Three . . . two . . . one,” I whisper.
Then I hear it, the first drop of rain as it hits the forest floor. The sound of leaves breaking its fall. It’s five miles out and will reach me in a matter of minutes.
I better call Nero before the rain ruins my chances.
Swiftly, I materialize my dagger, its cold metal appearing in my grasp. As I draw it across my palm, a crimson trail forms, accompanied by the soft murmur of an incantation escaping my lips.
Raising my hand in front of me, I squeeze my hand into a fist and let the blood fall to the ground. I close my eyes, feeling the weight of my magic soak into the earth around me.
The first drops of rain reach me, a gentle patter caressing my skin, landing softly on my cheeks like a delicate kiss from the sky.
Each droplet is cool and refreshing, bringing with it a fleeting sense of calm.
I tilt my head back, keeping my eyes shut as I let the rain wash over me, feeling its soothing touch spread across my face.
Within moments, the downpour intensifies, transforming from a light sprinkle into a torrential cascade as the sky opens.
I stand there, drenched to the bone, as the rain soaks through my clothes and drips from my hair.
Despite the cold, there’s something invigorating about the storm, a raw and untamed energy that courses through the air.
The intensity of the rain matches the turmoil within me, a perfect reflection of the chaos and disorder I’ve been feeling tonight.
I finish the incantation and open my hand so the rain can wash away the blood. The air crackles with electricity, as if nature itself is responding to my call.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning streaks across the sky, illuminating my darkened surroundings.
I continue walking until the sound of hooves reaches my ears. I smile, my gaze landing on the sleek black horse coming down the stretch of road, the moonlight at his back. His presence brings a sense of relief, as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
Golden eyes flash with warmth as he draws near, his midnight coat glistening in the rain. Reaching my palm out, I grin as Nero nudges my hand, then I wrap my arms around his neck.
“I’ve missed you, old friend,” I whisper, stroking his mane.