Page 145 of Journey to the Elderoak
He shook his head. “I mean regarding your magic. Close your eyes and tell us what you can feel.”
She did as he instructed, evaluating her body. “I feel hot. Deep down, it feels like I’m burning. And it’s coming up through my hands…and I can feel them. The roots. They’re moving.”
“Stay with that feeling. Let the roots move. Will them to do what you want,” he instructed. “They’re an extension of you. They only listen to you.”
She kept her eyes closed and pushed the warmth through her hands, feeling the twists and turns of the roots.
“Ava,” Raine whispered. “Open your eyes.”
When she opened them, the roots were climbing Raine and Casimir’s legs, stopping mid-thigh. They were both grinning at her.
“There it is,” Raine praised.
She scanned the two fae men with a smirk on her face, and yanked her hands back, pulling their legs out from under them and landing them flat on their backs.
Casimir grunted and Raine cursed as the air was knocked from their lungs. She strode forward and stood over them, releasing her magic.
“See? All I had to do was use your bond with Casimir against you and it was easy,” Raine said.
“You’re just going to hurt him every time to make my magic appear?”
He sat up, pulling Casimir with him. “If that’s what it takes.”
Dinner was a serious affair,a departure from their usual routine. Desmond and Vivienne were present, along with Aelerion and Thalia, who’d been joining their meetings. Tonight, the group was discussing plans to get their kingdom back from Deidamia’s rule. Though they’d taken as much of their army as they could when they escaped, they didn’t have their full force and needed the help of the other kingdoms to reclaim Igneothenia.
Thorne had opened the rest of the Earth Kingdom for any refugees from the volcanic province who could make it. Theyhad the space with their open fields and various towns protected by the Emerald Mountains enclosing the majority of Monterre, save from a few smaller towns. Though it was tough on their resources, they made it work, many of the refugees contributing various skills to farm and harvest more food.
“We need to get your kingdom back before we launch an attack directly on Deidamia,” said Thorne, swirling the wine in his goblet. “And we’ll need to try and secure help from Caelestia, though it won’t be easy.”
“Good luck convincing that bastard, Orion,” said Aelerion. “And you’re willing to risk your army to help us reclaim our home?”
“We have the numbers with Saxumdale’s help,” said Casimir. “Both Astrid and Soren have already agreed they’ll assist.”
“And what of the environment, Thorne?” asked Thalia. “Your kind aren’t conditioned to be fighting among the volcanoes.”
Ava had learned Igneothenia was nestled among a mountain range filled with active volcanoes, the capital built over rivers of lava. The fae who lived there were immune to the heat and ash but most others couldn’t visit long without serious consequences. That’s why it had been surprising their kingdom was conquered so easily. Apparently, the daemons’ world was not much different from Igneothenia, and the heat had no effect on them.
“We have a team of healers making potions to give us immunity. They’re making them by the thousands. Soren has a team working on it as well,” Desmond answered.
“How long do the effects last?” asked Raine.
“One week,” Vivienne answered.
“You’ll need a lot of potions,” said Aelerion.
“We should have enough within a month if production isn’t slowed,” said Desmond.
“Alright,” boomed Aelerion as he clapped his hands together. “One month to plan before I can have my home back.”
The sound of boots pounding echoed in the hallway, interrupting their conversation. The attention of the room turned to the door. Seconds later Pax burst in, out of breath.
Casimir stood. “What happened?”
“It’s Oakshire. A team of Deidamia’s soldiers has taken over the town and are gathering citizens to be executed. She’s sending a message. Since she failed at killing Ava.”
Vivienne gasped. “My sister lives there…” she whispered to herself, fear in her eyes.
Pax paused, scanning the room. “And Andras is with them.”
