Chapter Fourteen – The Power Within
The next morning, the Bloodstone Plains were quiet except for the sound of Aria's rapid breathing. Her palms burned as streams of silver light flickered around her, sputtering like untamed fire.
"Focus, Aria," Kael's voice commanded from a few feet away. "You can't let it control you."
"I'm trying!" she shouted, frustration sharpening her voice. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she tried to gather the threads of power into something stable. Every time she thought she had control, the magic pulsed wildly, straining against her grip like a living thing.
"Stop fighting it like an enemy," Kael said, his tone softer now. "It's part of you. You have to accept it."
Aria clenched her jaw. "What if I can't?"
Kael's glowing eyes narrowed. "Then it will destroy you. Or worse… it'll destroy everything you love."
---
The words cut deep. She looked at him—really looked at him—and saw the weight behind his warning.
"Show me again," she said, her voice steadier.
Kael stepped closer, his presence like a shield against the chaos swirling inside her. He took her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers with grounding strength. "Close your eyes. Feel my heartbeat."
She did. His heartbeat was steady, strong, and something in its rhythm soothed her.
"Now," Kael said quietly, "pull the power to the surface, but let it move like water. Don't force it. Let it follow your will."
---
She inhaled, the silver light in her palm glowing brighter but smoother now, no longer crackling with wild energy.
"Good," Kael murmured. "Now push it outward—slowly."
Aria exhaled, releasing the magic in a wave of soft light. The glow rippled across the ground, harmless and beautiful, making the stones shimmer like moonlight.
"I did it," she whispered, awe in her voice.
Kael's lips curved slightly. "You're learning faster than I expected."
---
The compliment warmed her chest, but it was short-lived. Suddenly, the silver glow flared, surging uncontrollably.
"Aria, stop!" Kael's voice was sharp now.
"I can't!" she cried, panic rising as the energy spun out of control, swirling around her like a storm. The light thickened, growing hot, almost painful.
Kael moved toward her, but she stepped back. "Don't—if I lose control, I might hurt you!"
"Aria, look at me," he ordered. "Now."
---
She looked—and saw no fear in his eyes, only unshakable determination.
"You're not alone," he said, his voice steady even as the air around them crackled with dangerous energy. "I'm right here. Let me in."
Something in his tone broke through her panic. She focused on his eyes—those glowing, fierce eyes that had always made her feel safe.
The storm began to slow.
---
But then, the light pulsed violently, shooting out like a wave. Kael moved instantly, throwing himself in front of her as the blast struck.
"Kael!" Aria screamed.
He was thrown backward, crashing into the ground with a grunt. The glow around her hand flickered and died, leaving only silence and the sound of her own terrified breathing.
She ran to him, dropping to her knees. "Kael, I didn't mean—are you okay?"
He coughed, a faint smile on his lips. "That was… stronger than I expected."
"Don't joke right now!" she cried, tears stinging her eyes. "I could have killed you."
---
Kael's hand found hers, gripping it with surprising strength. "But you didn't. And you won't. You just need to trust yourself."
Aria shook her head, her chest tight. "What if I can't? What if I hurt you again?"
"You won't," he said softly. "Because you'd rather burn yourself than harm me. I saw it in your eyes."
The truth of his words made her throat ache.
---
"Kael…" Her voice cracked. "When I felt that power slip, the only thing I could think about was losing you. I can't… I can't lose you."
His glowing eyes softened, something unspoken shining there. He reached up, brushing his fingers against her cheek. "You won't lose me. Not as long as I can fight."
"But you almost died yesterday. And now this…" Her tears spilled over, and she hated herself for it.
Kael's thumb wiped a tear away, his touch lingering. "Then let's make sure neither of us dies. We face this together, Aria."
---
Her heart pounded, overwhelmed by the raw honesty in his voice. "Why do you care so much?" she whispered.
Kael's gaze locked on hers. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to hold the words back—but he didn't.
"Because somewhere between the battles and the curses… I stopped seeing you as just someone to protect. I…" He hesitated, his voice low and rough. "…I care more than I should."
Aria's breath caught.
---
"I don't care if you're cursed," she said softly. "I just care about you."
The tension between them was like a live wire. Kael's fingers slid from her cheek to the back of her neck, pulling her closer.
"If I kiss you again," he murmured, "I won't be able to stop."
"Then don't stop," she whispered.
---
The kiss that followed wasn't like the others. It was slow, consuming, as though every unspoken word and hidden fear poured into that single moment. Aria melted against him, her hands gripping his shoulders as though anchoring herself to him.
When they finally pulled apart, Kael rested his forehead against hers, his breath uneven.
"This is dangerous," he said softly. "You're becoming the only thing I can't risk losing."
---
Aria's heart twisted, but she smiled faintly. "Then don't lose me. I'm right here."
For a while, neither of them spoke. They just sat together, the quiet of the plains wrapping around them.
---
Later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Kael rose and extended his hand. "One more time. Let's see if you can control the power without fear."
Aria hesitated, but the warmth of his hand gave her courage. "I'll try."
"You won't just try," Kael said with a faint smirk. "You'll succeed."
---
This time, when she summoned the power, she thought of Kael—not her fear, not the danger, just him. The light responded, glowing steady and bright.
Kael's lips curved into a small, proud smile. "That's it."
For the first time, Aria felt like she wasn't just surviving anymore. She was becoming.