A fantasy short story set in Tybraes, more than a century before When Comes the Firetide: Inundation. Nelah tu’Aadar is a nascent magic user. She is Gifted with innate magic over life and death. She also discovered a grimoire of Arcane Magic- spells that any non-Gifted person can do. But there is a dangerous side to Arcane Magic. Not only are spells dangerous if done wrong, the Arcane Magic itself is addicting.
Twenty-five years old Nelah, still little more than an adolescent to the Erahthi people, does not understand what she is playing with in her attempts to impress Lieren, an older youth reaching his adulthood celebration. But the magic feels so good. And when everything goes terribly wrong, the only person who truly sees her, listens to her, is a surprising individual.
The Venerate’s son is treated like royalty, yet he takes risks for this girl he does not know. Sahaan’s introduction into Nelah’s life is accidental, and she has no way of knowing just how impactful it will be.
Content Warning: death of animal, sexual peer pressure. sex, graphic death scene, persecution
Excerpt:
Cupping her bloodied hand over the feathered corpse, Nelah rolled her eyes shut. A warm amber glow emanated from behind her lashes. Ancient incantations, memorized from her book, whispered from her lips, repeated until the bird beneath her hand began to stir. “Sylf tafesesh enoseisaedh. Dein sylf’Seisaedae arishraesie illsaedh.”
“I impart transcendent life. By my [great Life-Magic] achieve [fullest life].”
Mouth agape, Lieren pried her hand away as the creature began wriggling to gain its freedom. The moment Nelah’s hand parted enough, the finch took to the air. “That’s remarkable! Why haven’t you told anyone in the clan you ca—”
“No!” Nelah grabbed hold of him. The force of her panic nearly toppled them both backward. “No, you can’t tell anyone! Especially my parents or the Council!”
“I won’t… I promise, Nelah… I won’t.” His deep brown eyes met hers in earnest. “I wouldn’t lie to you.” After a moment, he murmured, “What does it feel like?”
A shiver of elation rippled through her body escaping on her breath. Unable to hide the swell of her pupils or involuntary blush of her cheeks, Nelah whispered, “It’s… hard to explain.”