The Aspect of Essence by Samantha Amstutz

Author:Samantha Amstutz [Amstutz, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-15T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

SERENNA

On the other side of the gateway, Serenna stepped into a rolling sea of grasses waving across a valley. Distant snowcapped mountains framed the expansive prairie. The sun angled behind the peaks, shrouding the untamed vale in a soft golden twilight.

The portal faded after Vesryn appeared, drawing her attention away from the unfamiliar landscape.

“Where are we?” Serenna asked, running her fingers over the knee-high grassy tuffs, gazing out to the distant summits. A gurgling stream ran with the mountain’s runoff in the cradle of the vale.

“We’re in the outskirts of the western realm.” Vesryn’s magic sparked, igniting around him. “The Hibernal Wastes are over that pass.” He pointed toward the setting sun.

Serenna trailed behind the prince through the meadow. He extended a hand to cast out tendrils of raw power like a cloud of shimmering fog. Since manifesting Essence, she could see the evidence of someone holding their magic. Not that a warning would even be helpful against him.

“Why choose me as your champion?” she asked, watching Vesryn send sheets of Essence out like he was searching for something.

“Believe it or not, I think it’s possible you may possess a scrap of potential.” Swells of glimmering power blanketed the swaying grasses.

Serenna scowled at his back. “Are you always this condescending?”

“Are you always this irritating?” The prince rounded on her, sending the loose portion of his silvery hair flying around his shoulders like a mantle.

Serenna opened her mouth, but he interrupted. “That was rhetorical, you harpy. I had no interest in training a champion for the tournament until that entertaining performance you pulled off today. You’ve shown such an improvement with your control since the first time you stroked my fingers.” He shrugged. “I didn’t realize a half-breed could manipulate that amount of power by channeling an emotional response.”

Serenna glared and crossed her arms. She wasn’t obligated to tolerate his rude remarks about their differences. “I’m not going to be your champion if that’s how it’s going to be.”

Vesryn cocked his head to the side. “Why not?”

“Why are you assuming I actually want to train with you? Just because you’re the prince?” Exasperation had her grinding her teeth. “You’re a prick.”

Vesryn snorted, wandering away and effectively ignoring her protest. He continued to send out wispy sheets of unformed magic over the rippling prairie. “I guarantee every other recruit would fight to have the opportunity.”

“Then hold another tournament for your salivating half-breeds. Have those bootlickers battle for the honor if you need someone to stroke your ego.” Serenna didn’t realize how aggravating conversing with his back would be. “Take me back.”

Vesryn turned with a smirk. “No.”

Serenna stared at him. “What don’t you understand?” She called out to him as he strode through the valley. “I want nothing to do with you.”

A sharp, high-pitched scream echoed in front of them under Vesryn’s curtain of power. Serenna froze, peering out into the meadow toward the shrieks.

The prince’s fingers curled. Two rabbits flowed toward him, struggling and kicking against blue-tinted bindings she recognized as force.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.