Chapter 3 Ashes and Shadows

Kaela's POV

A mixture of wet smoke reached my nostrils when I woke up on earth.

My body endured pain from areas which never caused discomfort to me before. Night brought forth both magical and emotional storms which left me abandoned in the destroyed village close to the Wind Clan borders. The healer's outpost became a ruin when my wild magic exploded setting everything ablaze except for the ashes and burnt herbs which left behind an oppressive feeling of guilt in my heart.

My movement was careful as I lifted my body while the bandages on my wrist rustled. Someone had tended to me.

Then I heard a rustle by the fire.

He was still here.

Ash.

Using a pieces of wood he poked at the fading fire located behind my back. The ends of his cloak drooped from his shoulders as a result of burns. The man in front of me stayed frozen in precise positions as if he was constantly prepared for assaults while I studied the harsh bone structure of his face and the deliberate movements of his shoulders.

Something about his presence brought me a feeling of serenity. And terrified me.

"You should've left," I murmured, my voice dry.

He didn't turn. "I don't leave people behind."

"Not even spirit-wielding girls who nearly blew up a village?"

He turned to observe behind him. His face reflected an amber emanation from the fire before he concealed an illuminated pain within his features. Fear? Before he displayed indifference he appeared hurt and then lost that vulnerable state.

You need to develop control in your life according to him. Your lack of self-control does not transform you into a criminal entity.

That made me laugh, bitter and raw. "You don't know what I am."

He stood, walking toward me. "Then tell me."

I shook my head. "Even I don't know."

Our eyes met as we stood opposite each other and a small transformation occurred between us. I felt an unexplained familiarity when looking at him because it felt as if we had met under different circumstances in the past which no longer exists.

He knelt beside me. "I've seen power before. But yours... it's different."

I looked at my palm, still stained with traces of silver light. "It's not just magic. It's memories. Shadows. Feelings that aren't mine."

His hand stretched toward mine before he withdrew it.

He offered help while keeping his tone quiet. "But I need you to trust me."

"You're a stranger."

After you found me there you did not flee from the situation.

I hated how right he was. A distant inner voice told me I had met him previously.

I gazed into his dark eyes which looked both burning hot and incredibly old-as no royal prince should. "You want more than my gratitude so what is your real motive?"

Ash didn't answer. Instead, he looked to the fire and then tossed another login. The flames sparked higher.

"Because I made a promise," he finally said.

"To who?"

He turned to me again, and this time, there was no mask.

"To someone I lost."

The distance between us started to crumble at that moment.

I remained ignorant about his genuine nature.

For the first time in many years, I did not feel isolated in the darkness.