Shadow Frost by Coco Ma

Author:Coco Ma [Ma, Coco]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781982527433
Publisher: Blackstone Pub
Published: 2019-07-22T17:48:33+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“All right, Princess,” Quinlan said, standing in the clearing with the forest at his back. The horses were safe in the barn, and Luna was inside the cottage. He folded his arms, examining the princess before him from head to toe. The girl was already in a defensive stance, her expression wary, as if she half-expected to be ambushed by his arrows again. Good. “What are the two types of magic?”

“Spells and raw magic,” Asterin answered without hesitation.

“Correct. Spells are commanded by incantations derived from the Immortal tongue. Raw magic is commanded by thought. Why do we need spells when we have raw magic?”

“Spells have specific purposes that raw magic cannot always achieve, like healing or shielding.”

He nodded. “Exactly. No matter the affinity, no wielder can heal without the healing incantation. Energy shields cannot be produced by any element. Affinity stones are tools. They help us tap into the magic in our bodies, but that’s it—they aren’t the actual source of magic. You are. And you have enough power in your body to forgo the stone entirely. You just have to figure out how to release it.”

Asterin made a face. “You make it sound easy.”

“It will be, eventually. But you’ve been relying on affinity stones as crutches for your whole life. You’ll need a lot of patience and practice to walk on your own.” Quinlan pressed his palms together, twisted his wrists, then let his hands drift apart as a glowing orb of light slowly expanded at his fingertips. “Attention, control, and efficiency. Let those be your new rules. We’ll begin with attention.” He stepped off to the left while beckoning Asterin forward. “First, we hone your focus—you won’t be able to summon anything without strength of mind.” Taking a few more steps backward, Quinlan raised his right arm, and the orb burst into flame. “Try to dodge.”

Asterin took up her defensive stance once more. With her knees bent and her fists loosely clenched, she coiled, ready to spring. Quinlan noted her eyes, riveted on his fire, her muscles drawn taut in anticipation.

Only to be hit with a scorching blast of flames from behind.

Asterin yowled, twisting around. “What in the Immortals—”

With a smirk, Quinlan extinguished it. “Pay more attention next time.”

“You set my trousers on fire, you lunatic!” Asterin exclaimed, batting away the embers.

“Quit whining. In an actual fight, I would’ve set you on fire.” Her mouth snapped shut. “When you beat my ass in swordplay, you told me that I had to be aware of more than just my opponent’s weapon, right?”

“Yes.” She grinned. “And then I cornered you up against an open window and you almost fell to your death.”

He sneered. “Shut up. Anyway, this is the same thing. Since magic can take on infinite forms, limited only to the wielder’s imagination, it is the most flexible weapon. So use that to your advantage.” Quinlan reached into his pocket and tossed her the omnistone. “Here’s your next lesson. Control.”

Asterin caught it with surprise. “Why are you giving this back?”

“No offense, but you can barely summon magic without it.

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