Chapter 418 Powers

Chapter 418 Powers
AUDREY

“Wow,” there was so much I didn’t know. It was giving me a headache.

I signalled for one of the maids forward with the pitcher of posset. She stepped forward and began to pour the hot liquid into my goblet.
Suddenly I felt a splash of it on my hand. I frowned, looking up at her. “Be careful.”

She stared at my hand, her eyes wide. “I am so sorry, my queen. It must be burning, let me get some cold water.” She was trembling.

Then I realized that the posset was just freshly brewed. It was supposed to be hot, but I could not feel anything. Darius took my hand in his, looking it over with concern. “Are you alright my heart?”

I nodded. “I am perfectly alright.”

Darius frowned. “That wine was scalding, but your hand is not burnt or hot.” He looked up at me.

“I did not feel the heat at all,” I confessed.
What was happening? The goddess’s words echoed in my head: ‘I will grant you my powers, you just have to learn to wield them.’

Could this be it? Resistance to heat? There was only one way to find out and I already knew Darius would not like it.

~

“Are you sure about this, Audrey?” Ryker asked, his voice tight with worry.

Darius leaned against the far wall, arms crossed tight over his chest. His jaw clenched hard. “Don’t look at me,” he growled. “If it was up to me, we wouldn’t even be here.”

I rolled my eyes and let out a breath. “Stop worrying so much. We try it now, or we risk it during the Blood Moon.”

“I’d rather not try it at all,” Darius muttered.

“Ryker, I’m ready,” I said, stepping forward.
Ryker took a deep breath, looking scared. He slowly pulled off his leather glove and fisted it in his other hand. I moved closer and held out my wrist. My pulse beat fast under my skin.

“What if it goes wrong?” he asked, his hand hovering over my wrist. His fingers shook a little.

“Trust me.” I looked straight into his eyes. I could see the fear there, clear as day. After everything I’d learned about his past, it made sense why he hesitated. But we needed to test this. If I could handle his fire, maybe I could face whatever Darius’s wolf threw at me during the Blood Moon.

Ryker grabbed my wrist. He breathed in deep and let his fire slip through his palm. It spread to his fingers and wrapped around my wrist. Red flames peeked out between his fingers, but my skin stayed cool and unharmed.

“Enough!” Darius shouted. He crossed the room in two big steps and ripped my hand away. He held my wrist in both of his, turning it over and over, checking every inch. His eyebrows shot up when he saw no burns, no marks at all, just normal skin.

“You were right,” Ryker said quietly. He glanced from my wrist to his glowing palm, then pulled his glove back on and tightened the laces. “What does this mean?”

“It means I can face the darkness and win,” I said, smiling. I turned to Darius. “Do you believe me now? I can do this.”

Darius shook his head and let go of my wrist, but his hands lingered like he didn’t want to stop touching me. “It’s not that simple, Audrey. When the darkness takes Phoenix, I’m gone. Completely gone until the Blood Moon ends. He won’t be gentle. He can do things worse than fire. He could really hurt you.” He took my hands again, holding them carefully. “I can’t let you—”

“No.” I pulled away, feeling anger rise in my chest. “The goddess sent me here to help you, to heal your wolf and lift the curse from this empire. I’ve shown you I can handle the truth and the fire. I have the power to do this, but you still won’t let me help.”

“I can’t watch you risk your life, even for me!” Darius raised his voice. His hands dropped to his sides, fists clenched. “I’m not worth it.”

I stepped closer until our bodies almost touched. I looked up at him, making sure he heard every word. “That’s not your decision. It’s mine, and I’ve already made it.”

I turned and walked out of the study, my steps quick on the stone floor. Anger burned inside me. I was going to help him no matter what he said. He wouldn’t stop me.

~

Back in our chambers, I sat on the edge of the big bed, holding Am close as he nursed. The fire in the hearth crackled softly. Tia slept peacefully in her cradle beside us, her little face calm and perfect. Holding my baby made the tight knot in my throat loosen. Why couldn’t Darius see that I wanted to save him for all of us? We had a family now. We had to think about Am and Tia.

He needed to be here to be their father. No matter the cost.

Am’s sucking slowed. His eyes grew heavy and he dozed off, lips still on my nipple. I smiled and gently lifted him, placing him next to Tia in the cradle. They looked so small and sweet together. The double doors opened with a loud creak. I turned, expecting a servant. Instead, a guard in full armor walked in.

His helmet covered his whole face. My stomach dropped. I quickly pulled my breast back into my chemise.

“What are you doing here?” I frowned and stood up fast. “You should have announced yourself.”
I looked him up and down, folding my arms across my chest to cover myself.

The thin chemise suddenly felt too revealing. He didn’t say anything. He just stood there. Then he started taking off his armor, breastplate first, then the sleeves, and finally the leg pieces. He stood in just his tunic and dark pants, helmet still on.

Fear crept up my spine. I stepped back toward the cradle, trying to shield the babies with my body.

His hand shot out and grabbed my wrist, yanking me against his chest. The metal felt cold and hard.

“Let me go!” I shouted, twisting and pulling against him.