Chapter Thirteen #4
Rowan tightly shut his eyes and held out his palm. He inhaled, held the breath, then released it. Still, nothing.
“You’re not concentrating enough.”
“I’m doing the best I can,” Rowan barked at him, frustration evident.
“There lies your problem.” Onyx scrutinized him. “You are too emotionally charged. Like a spring about to snap back. You need to focus your mind and clear it of any distractions.”
“Kinda hard with you watching me.” Rowan gritted his teeth and glared at the apple.
“Oh, pardon me,” Onyx said, lifting a hand to his chest in a mock innocence. “Would you like for me to turn around and give you privacy? During combat and emergent times, you won’t have such a luxury.”
In that moment, I wished I was a fly on the wall. Because it was awkward as hell standing there while Onyx scolded Rowan.
“You can’t expect me to get it on the first try,” Rowan argued.
“Precisely.” Onyx gave him a droll look.
“Which is why I started you with the book. So you could learn the basics for shadow magic. It involves much more than simply wishing for it to happen. Breathing techniques, muscle control, and focus are all necessary. Learning which parts of your body you need to relax depending on what type of magic you intend to use.”
“I don’t need any of that,” Rowan countered, frowning at the floor. “I can slip into the shadows easily and go wherever I want. I can start fires with the snap of my fingers and create glamours to hide my presence. Hell, I can use shadows to crush people to dust.”
“Yet, you have trouble with a single apple.” Onyx watched him with a hard stare.
Reminding me once again of a teacher, though this time one disappointed in his star pupil for not listening to him.
“Do not misunderstand me, Rowan. I’m quite impressed with the abilities you possess.
No one taught you a thing about your magic, yet you’ve learned how to do what most fail to learn even after years and years of training. ”
“But?” Rowan asked, his shoulders slumping.
“You ran before you knew how to walk,” Onyx said. “Much like Evan when his powers awoke in the throne room, your powers came from emotion rather than logic.”
I yawned.
Both of them looked at me.
“Sorry.” I rubbed at my watery eyes. “Just got tired all of a sudden. I’m okay though. Continue.”
“That’s enough for one evening.” Onyx caressed my cheek with the backs of his knuckles. “You’ve had quite the eventful day and need your rest.”
“I wonder whose fault that is,” I said, leaning into his touch. “A certain someone took me through the forest of misery, then ravaged me in a cave. Twice.”
Rowan snorted. “I’d say you’re the one who ravaged Lord Onyx.”
I flipped around to him. “Were you spying on us?”
“It’s my job.” He shrugged. “If you’re sour over it, you’re blaming the wrong person.”
“Huh?”
“He’s referring to me,” Onyx said, turning my face back to his.
Hesitancy flickered over his face, as though he was debating on saying more.
Fortunately for me and my never-ending curiosity, he chose right.
“I requested that he watch over you any time you leave the castle. Regardless of who was with you, be it one of your knights, Lake, or Briar. Even if you were with me.”
Something in his tone seemed… suspicious. “Why would he need to protect me if I’m with you?”
A shadow passed over his face. He didn’t respond, instead looking at Rowan.
“Come with me, little treasure.” Rowan grabbed my hand. “He’s right. You need to get some shut eye. I’ll take you back.”
“Unless you’d rather Bob escort you?” Onyx asked me with a touch of amusement back in his expression.
“Nope.” I patted Rowan’s hand. “I’m good just like this. Bob’s escort services aren’t necessary.”
Onyx’s amusement deepened, showing on his lips. “Sleep well, little bird. Tomorrow is an important day for you.”
Important day. Right. The elixir would be ready in the morning. Doomsday was nearly upon me. That doom coming from whatever horrors the elixir would make me face. Would I even be me after I woke up?
As Rowan started walking toward the door, his hand in mine, I waivered in place. My attention remained on Onyx.
“Did you need something?” he asked, his eyes clouding with an emotion I couldn’t place.
I nodded. “You didn’t kiss me good night.”
There was an instant clearing of those clouds.
Onyx softly smiled and closed the distance between us, sliding his hand to the side of my neck.
Our lips met lightly at first, brushing together almost hesitantly, before he deepened the kiss.
He tasted like wine and woodsmoke, and the heat of his body took away any chills in mine.
“Ensure he gets to bed without incident,” Onyx told Rowan, lowering his hand from my neck. To me, he added, “And no roaming the halls at night.”
“Yes, Daddy Demon Lord.” I rose up on my tiptoes and rubbed our noses together. “Whatever you say.”
He smirked.
I glanced back as Rowan and I reached the door, finding Onyx staring after me, his smirk having slipped into something far more tender. And I envisioned that glowing ember between us getting just a tad brighter.