Complete and utter nonsense. If the king were here, I’d tell him that to his face. Since he stayed in the castle with the rest of the intelligent people, it would have to wait until later.
I give Kyff another nudge. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you.”
He looks at me with such hope, I feel guilty for not taking the time sooner. It’s not as if I have anything better to do.
He darts a glance at Leeri, where she’s spinning in the middle of the pond like she hasn’t a care in the world. “Are you sure you won’t be busy with your princess?”
“She has had me all afternoon. Tonight, I’m all yours.”
Kyff catches my hand and gives it three squeezes like our mother used to.I love you. I squeeze him back four.I love you too.
Kyffin shiftshis weight from one foot to the other, scowling down at the palm of his hand.
“You’re trying too hard,” I say from where I sit on the end of my bed. “It should come naturally. This isn’t a fight. It’s more like…a dance.”
Kyffin shoots me an irritated look. “I despise dancing.”
“That is unfortunate. Dancing would really help your footwork in swordplay.” I stand and offer him a dramatic bow before extending my hand.
“I’m not dancing with you,” he spits, stepping back and nearly colliding with the settee.
“You sure? I’ll let you lead.”
That brings a reluctant smile to his face. “Stop messing about. You’re supposed to be helping me.”
I wiggle my fingers. “Give me your hand, and I will.”
Groaning, he takes my hand in his.
Now that we’re connected, I draw from the well of magic deep inside me, summoning my element to my hand.
Kyff’s wide eyes dart around the empty bedroom. “You’re not supposed to share,” he hisses, trying to pull away.
“It’s my magic. I can do whatever I want with it.” That isn’t true, but Kyff won’t tell anyone. And as I always say: What Boris doesn’t know won’t hurt me. “Hold out your other hand.”
Heat collects in my chest, growing, spreading through my veins. I will my magic toward my brother and feel it leave me. His eyes grow wide when he finds a flame no bigger than a lit match flickering in his free hand.
“How does that feel?” I ask.
His lips curve into a grin as firelight dances in his wide eyes. “Amazing.”
“I meant in your hand. Your body. Can you feel it connected here?” I tap his chest, right above his heart.
“I think so.”
“Brilliant. I’m going to let go now.” His teeth dig into his lower lip. “Don’t worry. Just try to keep that same amazing feeling alive using your magic.”
His brow furrows as he stares at that flame, the tip of his tongue peeking from between his teeth. Slowly, I slip my hand out of his. The flame flickers, then winks out.
Kyff blinks rapidly, as if trying to hide the tears glistening in his eyes.
My heart breaks at the defeat on his little face. I never would’ve learned to control my element if Aeron hadn’t helped me. And I know for a fact that he helped Rhainn as well. What the hell had Boris been thinking, expecting the boy to do this all by himself?
I clap Kyff on the shoulder. “You did so well.”
He blinks up at me through watery eyes. “I…I did?”
“That was two whole seconds. Weren’t you counting?”