The Seelie Curse

Chapter 77

Rowan watches her father with a hint of confusion as he grins and declares, "Then we will try. If we fail, then we tried. Come."

He helps Rowan to her feet, still grinning. Carefully, Rowan makes her way across the clearing to one of the icy trees and places her palm against the ice. It's bitingly cold, but she swiftly summons up a flame to burn it away. Once a hole is burned through the ice, Rowan places her palm against the tree.

There is a sucking sensation and then what feels like an explosion out of her. She would stumble back, but her hand is glued against the tree as something swirls around her. She can hear the tinkling sound of ice being shredded and shakes, not sure what is happening as the tree sucks her strength out of here.

She can feel it healing and passing the ability on to the other trees, but she can't let go. The Forest King seems to realize this and he rushes over her. He touches on her arms gently and glances at Rowan's panicked face. It only takes him a heartbeat to realize what is going on.

"Rae, you need to let go."

Rowan shakes harder. "I can't. I'm trying but I can't."

He wraps long fingers around her wrist and tugs lightly. Her hand doesn't move. He pulls again and a burst of heat lances through Rowan's fingers. She makes a small sound of pain and he stops. The Forest King stares at her for a moment before he places his own hand against the bark. The sound of breaking ice picks up for a moment and Rowan tries to turn to see what's happening, but her father quickly pulls her attention back.

"Look at me, Rae. The trees have made you a conduit."

"What does that mean?"

"They won't let you go until you force them to or the healing is finished. But if it keeps going like this, you'll pass out before that happens. I need you to breathe."

Rowan sucks in a shaky breath and exhales. She takes another breath, closing her eyes. The shredding sound around her quiets now that she is ignoring it and then there is another pulse of magic as the tree releases her. She inhales sharply and pulls her hand to her chest.

"What was that!"

"I'm not sure. You finished your training, that shouldn't have happened."

"Why would it matter if I finished my training?"

"This is something that can happen if you don't yet have control of your gift, but you do have control."

There is a sharp sound from behind Rowan and she turns to see piles of ice on the ground, torn off of the trees. Her mouth drops open. "What happened here?"

"That new magic of yours."

"But I didn't mean for this to happen."

"It's new, Rae. You won't have known how to control it yet."

"How do I stop it?"

The Forest King sighs. "We can't control it if we don't know what it is."

Rowan shudders. "So what do I do?"

"Try not to set it off while we figure out how to control it. Can you do that, Rae?"

"I can try. But why is it awake now?"

"I don't know." But then the Forest King pauses. "What happened when it first appeared?"

"Ciorsdan was trying to drown me and then the ice."

"Was she using magic? Intending to harm you?"

Rowan frowns. "Ummm yes?"

The Forest King sighs and looks down at the ground. "Of course."

"What?"

"Your name."

Rowan's frown deepens. "I don't understand. What about my name?"

"Did you ever figure out what it meant?"

"Not beyond the connection to the rowan tree. What are you trying to say?"

The Forest KIng's face twitches into a small smile that disappears a moment later. "What does the rowan tree do?"

"It's protective, keeps Aos Sí away."

"Names have power, Rae. Having the name of a powerful tree like that gives you some of its protections. When Ciorsdan attacked you with intent to harm, your name protected you and repelled her magic. It must have woken that other magic in the process."

"Why would my magic have been hidden in the first place though?"

The Forest King laughs. "I may be over a century old, but I'm still young. Even our ancients don't know everything."

"Hence why you have to research?"

"Indeed." Then he sighs. "Our time is up."

Rowan smiles sadly. "Don't keep them waiting."

"Of course. I'll return when my research has been successful. For now, be careful and . . . visit the kelpies. The forest should be healing on its own now as well, from your residual magic. Don't fear for the trees. They should be alright."

Rowan beams at him as he whirls and disappears through the trees.
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What do you think this new magic is? What will the Forest King find out? What's going to happen next? Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~ Goddess of Fate, signing out