Shadows in Bloom (Hallowed Hearts Book 1) by Aria Lockley

Shadows in Bloom (Hallowed Hearts Book 1) by Aria Lockley

Author:Aria Lockley [Lockley, Aria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-09-17T00:00:00+00:00


Chapter 18

My peaceful recovery did not last long.

“How long have these marks been appearing on your body?” Kallistra sat on the edge of the bed, poking and prodding at my skin until I yanked my arm back.

Kaz and Zorinna had left moments ago to fulfill their part of Theomund’s deal for letting us stay here. Alandris had left with them, supposedly to get some fresh air, though they’d warned him he was not to venture off the property or they would ‘tie him down to a chair’. That left Kallistra and me alone, at least until Kaz and Zorinna noticed her absence and wrangled her to come pull her weight in the fields.

“Since…” Honesty? Or a lie? “Since I’ve started training my magic with Alandris.” Honesty, it was.

“Has it been getting better?”

“Yes, it has. At first, they would appear with even the simplest uses of magic, but now I can tap into my power for more complex spells. Sometimes the source of my power is too much… We think that is the issue. Alandris has been taking some of the brunt of the power until I can control it. He’s been acting as a conduit, so to speak. When my magic travels through both of us, the marks rarely appear, and it doesn’t hurt.”

A flicker of shock crossed Kallistra’s face before she settled back into a neutral expression. “He’s been willing to take that risk?”

I nodded.

“Interesting.” She rubbed a finger across her lips. “As I’ve said before, you do appear healthier. More and more so every day. However, what you did was reckless. You aren’t yet experienced enough to use your magic without regard.”

Loud footsteps against the wooden floor pulled our attention to the doorway. Alandris leaned against the frame, nearly reaching the top with his height. If his injury was bothering him in the slightest, it didn’t show. He hardly looked as though we’d just been traveling for days and days on end.

“I’ve been sent to collect Kallistra,” he spoke, tapping his fingers against the wood, “by Kaz and Zorinna. After they threatened me and demanded I go and rest, that is.”

Kallistra stood. “I suppose I should go pull my weight.” She brushed past Alandris, who straightened himself to give her room to move past him. “Be sure to look after Nairu for me.”

Alandris hummed some wordless reply which satisfied her well enough.

He remained in the doorway, looking over me silently, while a series of emotions passed over his face. Much like myself, he seemed to be struggling to find the words to say all that needed to be said between us.

It’d be easier to simply ignore everything that had happened. The fact that I’d thrown myself into danger to save him. Pretending it’d been for the benefit of our entire group would be foolish. It was obvious in the way I ran toward him, I’d taken the risk for him and him alone. My emotions had gotten the better of me, and I’d lost control of my own self-preservation.



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