The Cursed Pharaoh's Bride

Chapter 34: Growing Pains

Carolina

I move the potted plant Dr. Jones gave me to the center of my bedroom, placing it on the floor. Elijah is flipping through the grimoire, eye brows knitted.

"It's been a while since I've looked at the mechanics and basic skill behind using heka. I'm honestly mostly self taught. And this came pretty easy to me," he admits.

"Well, we can't all be half Egyptian god," I grumble.

Elijah lets out a chuckle. "Don't worry, you'll get this, love," he says in a reassuring tone. "You'll learn how to use heka faster than you might think."

"How do you know?" I ask.

"Well, you've already used heka," he replies.

My mind flashes to when Jay and I had first been attacked by Cohen. "Right, when I healed Jay," I say lowly. Elijah's jaw clenches at the mention of Jay's name.

"Yes," he says, his voice stern. "But I was also referring to when you controlled that seaweed at the dock." I give Elijah a puzzled look. Was that really me? I thought I imagined that.

"Carolina," Elijah continues slowly, "You do realize that when we found the crate you were trapped in, a part of it was covered in plants and seaweed coming up from the water. That was you, wasn't it?"

"I-I had tried to see if I could maybe control the water to help me escape. I don't know what powers I had but I was willing to try anything to see you again," I stutter. Elijah's facial expression softens. His large hands cup my face and he leans into me so that our noses are barely touching.

"Using heka is going to involve a lot of concentration. But don't forget that being able to use it stems from our deepest desires, emotions and passions. You can do this, darling. I believe in you. You just need to learn to use heka when you're not in those dire situations," he whispers.

He leans away from me and guides me to the plant. I'm standing over it while he takes a few steps back, giving me room. "Focus on this wilting flower. Your goal for today is to heal it. The leaves should be bright green again and the flower should be blooming."

I glance down at the potted flower at my feet. It's a white lily. Its leaves and petals have a depressing brownish hue. I lean down and hover my hands over the flower. I stare at the flower blankly. Heal? Grow?

"...nothing is happening," I say after some time has passed.

"Be patient and focus," Elijah says calmly.

I keep staring at the flower. I can't feel anything. Though, it's not like I did that night at the dock. What am I supposed to focus on? Can I even do this? Dr. Jones said that it would take me some time to figure this out. Does Elijah really think I can just make this happen today on my first try?

"I don't think I can do this," I say with a frustrated huff. "I just don't feel anything." I step away from the wilting flower. It looks no different than before.

"It's only been a few minutes and you just started. Don't give up already," Elijah tries to encourage. He rushes over to me, halting me in my tracks by grabbing my shoulders. "What's wrong? Explain to me how you're approaching this."

"I'm trying to focus like you said. But it just feels empty," I mutter.

"That right there is your problem," he explains. "Magic is fueled by our emotions. If you feel nothing, you won't be able to channel your heka. There are certain feelings that allow us to connect with the spirit of our elements. For me, it's easy for me to generate fire through anger or a sense of ambition. Find those feelings that connect you with healing and plants."

After a few minutes of contemplating, I give Elijah a reluctant nod. He steps away from me again and retreats to the spot he was standing in before.

I hover my hands over the flower, take a deep breath, and close my eyes. My mind is blank as I still can't figure out what these "feelings" are that I'm supposed to focus on. A couple of minutes pass but it feels like hours. My mind starts to drift. I can't help but think about that night I was kidnapped. I remember that feeling I got when I was alone, chained in that dark, cold storage unit. I couldn't do anything. I didn't know where I was or how to escape. I didn't think I was ever going to see Elijah again. I don't think I ever remember feeling so helpless. I don't ever want to feel that way again. I have to learn magic so I can protect myself and the people I love...people like...

"Carolina!" Elijah's voice breaks my concentration. My eyes snap open and I immediately jump back away from the flower which has now overgrown and taken up a portion of my floor. Where the potted plant once stood now lies a mini flower patch of a few lilies with tall blades of grace and leaves. There were some broken shards of the flower pot randomly scattered around the floor. I guess I did it?

Elijah is beside me within seconds, grabbing me by the shoulders so he can pull me away from the flower field that has now stopped growing. I'm suddenly hit with a strange rush. The air feels cool against my hot skin, causing goosebumps to break out. A strange tingling feeling spreads across my body and escapes through the surface of my skin. Before I can fully process what's happening to my body, my legs give out.

Elijah's grip tightens as he holds me up. He scoops me up bridal style and gently places me on my bed. My body feels weak and beads of sweat start to form on my forehead.

"You pushed yourself too hard, darling," Elijah coos. I see him grab a tissue from my night stand and gently dab my wet forehead. I don't have the energy to respond to him. I'm finding myself falling into a strange, sleepy haze.

"We haven't even talked about her being a See-er yet. This just had to happen," I vaguely hear Elijah mumble under his breath. But I think nothing of it.

Elijah moves to sit on the edge of my bed. One of his hands rubs my knee tenderly while the other is typing away on his phone. "It seems like you have a bit of a control problem," Elijah says, his eyes still glued to his phone. "But otherwise, your show of power is more than I expected. You'll get the hang of it before you know it."

If I wasn't too tired to really think about it, I'd say Elijah's tone is almost proud. The corners of his lips are turned slightly upward as if he were wearing a tiny smile.

I don't stop my eyes from fluttering shut. I feel a large warm hand find it's way to the side of my face and a pair of warm lips pressing themselves to my forehead.

"Rest, my desert flower," a deep voice whispers softly, "I'll take care of this mess."