How had I let it get this bad? Why hadn’t I asked for help sooner? Energy surged, the power emanating from my body reacting to my guilt and panic. “VENRIS? Ven, please just let me help you!” I could tell he was screaming but he sounded so far away. “No, just go. I’ll only hurt you.” Another wave pulsed, reacting to my fear. I clasped my arms tightly around my stomach, trying desperately to hold myself together, hold the power in. The energy felt like white-hot fire lighting up every nerve in my body. Tears streamed down my face. I was in agony.
I couldn’t see much, couldn’t tell what was happening except I knew I was no longer on the ground, hovering above the trees. I spun slowly giving me little knowledge of which way was up and which way was down. I knew my power had been growing and that it was quickly getting past the point where I could control it but I also knew telling anyone would’ve landed me in the darkest dungeon they could find. Maybe it was selfish though, putting everyone else at risk like this.
I could feel energy surge from my body and flow through the air and as it reached organic matter, the tops of trees at this point, it felt like my own hand of flames grabbed the branches and squelched the life from the greenery, adding their energy to my own. “No, stop,” I spoke to myself...my power, pleading its hunger grasp to subside but I had starved the monster for too long, locked it up, and pushed it down.
“Venris! Breathe, let the power go!” “No, no, no, I can’t “ I didn’t know what would happen if I let go, unleashed the hunger, rage, and energy that I’d pent up for so long. I also knew that I couldn’t keep this up, the energy was leaving my body with the power, if I didn’t do something soon I might be consumed.
It was then that I felt hands, warm and soft rest on my shoulders. How? Who? I opened my eyes through the tears and quickly shut them again. No one was there, I was still spinning. There the hands were again, warm and soft and strong. I felt my body relax ever so slightly. “Ven, listen to me. You have to let go, let the power runs its course.” I recognized Fain’s voice, smooth and close, in my head. “Don’t worry, I’m here with you and I can help you tame it, but you have to let go of the reins.” “What-how-“ “You think you’re the only one with secrets? Now let go.” I didn’t exactly know how to let go, I’d been holding on, holding a part of me that had grown bigger and bolder on a tight rein for so many years. I let myself feel it, feels the warmth of the power leaving me yet lining in me. I relaxed my hands and arms around my stomach and let my knees spread out from my chest. I could feel my power stretch like a large predator flexing its claws yet I could also feel a warm presence nearby almost stroking my power, the beast, and calming it even as it grew. As I relaxed the core of my body seemed to glow, even with my eyes shut I could see the light through my lids. Power surgeries and gushed out of me like a levy broken. It felt like crying when you’ve held in tears for too long. Maybe I was crying, my chest was heaving. “It’s alright.” I heard Fain reassure me so I just kept pouring and crying. My power stretched far beyond me, maybe miles. I didn’t know how high I was now, I hope high enough that I couldn’t hurt anyone. “No one is in harm’s way,” Fain answered my thought, his invisible hands stroking my back and the beast simultaneously. For what felt like hours or days my power poured out of me, then gushed in spurts, then trickled until there was nothing left. My body when limp and I felt myself sag into someone’s arms softly then with all my weight. Years of inhibition had melted away leaving me a husk. But I knew it was still there. It had roared and screamed and hissed but now the cat was spent and reduced to a soft purr in my chest, content to have been heard.
A knock came at my door once again. I rolled my eyes and sighed. Taking a deep breath I put on my best smile, though I fear it looked fake, and opened the door. There, in the mud and rain stood the king, a chariot and nearly a whole caravan behind him. The king was and odd sight at my cottage door, like a peacock in a pigsty. His long auburn hair was braided and hung over his right shoulder. His attire was clearly for riding but still was more ornate than any clothing that had ever touched my body. Leather riding boots, black breaches, a satin white tunic with a stunning green vest under a deep black cape. The green vest brought out the gold in his eyes nicely and made his auburn hair seem to catch fire, even on a dreary day. I had to admit he was a stunning sight. A small anxious man hover back and forth behind the king with an umbrella, trying to find the best position in which to keep the king dry. The king cleared his throat, waiting for me to bow I’m guessing by the way the man with the umbrella eye’s widened. I gave a half hearted bow, barely bending my back.
“Your Highness, to what do I owe the honor of your presence to my humble cottage this morning?” The king took that as his invitation inside and breezed passed me, nearly knocking me over in the process. His cape dragged behind him tracking mud onto my newly cleaned floors. He turned and stood in front of my hearth, leaning on the mantle as if he were an old friend but also like he was posing for a royal painting. I had chosen this cottage specifically for it’s distance from the town and lack of ease to spot or get to from the main road. Yet here was the king himself, in my home.
“Have you considered my proposition with more...care, Miss Spectre?” I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions and annoyance.
“Your Highness-“ the king held up his hand to silence me,
“Zephryn, please.” The butler cleared his throat and shook his head at me from behind the king. “Majesty, I have already given you the answer to your...generous offer.” “Tsk. Oh Aros’ beard. That wasn’t an answer. I won’t be put off Miss Spectre, and I really would prefer we use a first name basis...” he paused waiting for me to give my name but I left the silence grow until it was thick enough to slice with a butter knife. The king sighed. “Miss Spectre, why must you vex me so? I’m not sure what more I can offer.” “That’s precisely the issue, your Excellency. I want for nothing but solitude and autonomy , both of which your offer cannot give me.”
The king sighed dramatically. "Come, come woman. No one wants to be all alone out here in such a drafty old hut." He waved a hand at my home. I crossed my arms, growing impatient now. "I do. It's the perfect distance from that noisy city of yours." I hoped to annoy the king but he seemed to be immune to my direct jabs. He continued undeterred.
“At the palace, you'll have your own chambers to live and work. You'll have access to the finest materials in which to craft potions and medicines. You'll have assistants, books, anything you can want in exchange for being the royal sorceress-" this time I interrupted
“At your every beck and call making potions and spells as weapons for your war? As I said before, No thank you." I opened the door to usher them out. It was still raining, harder than before, to fit my sour mood. This time the handsome king scowled deeply. "I'll find a way to entice you yet, Miss Spectre. You could be Lady Spectre High Scorceressof all Illium." I did not reply but bowed and waved a hand through the door. "Always a pleasure, Your Majesty."
