CHAPTER 53: HIS WILD HAIR

(Amaia)

I am an Electric Fae. I can wield the power of thunder, especially with my weapon. Not only that but I also possess healing magic. But I barely use it, so I won’t be discovered. My healing powers might have gone rusty with time.

"I have electric and healing powers," I inform him and he appears slightly surprised. The lump in his throat shifts.

"What about other elements? Did you ever try controlling them?"

I shake my head. "My mother guided me with my powers, but after I lost her, there was no one else."

Alnilam thinks for a while, grabs a white notebook, picks up a pen from the penholder and jots down some notes.

His sinewy, rivered hands meticulously move on the paper while a thin wrinkle of concentration appears on his forehead, making that crescent tattoo wavy.

I wait, my eyes roam his delicious figure. He exudes power and ethereal beauty. Something is soothing about him even though he doesn’t want to acknowledge me the way I want.

He finally lifts his head and finds me ogling him.

Quickly I avert my gaze.

"Today I just want to give you the basics about magic. You can read about it later from the book I will give you. But remember to keep them hidden and no one can know about our meetings. Not even Kacir or my brothers. Is it clear?"

"Yes!" I offer a small nod and he does the same.

"So the basics and fundamental of all magic is based on energy within you and around you." He pauses and the band holding his hair back snaps open, spilling his silvery strands on his broad shoulders.

"My magic resides in my hair apart from two other powers I possess." Just to prove what he is saying, a streak of his hair lifts off his right shoulder and waves at me.

That brings a smile to my face.

"And it doesn’t always listen to me," he says in disappointment, which explains why his hair has tried to touch me when he wishes to keep a distance.

"So the point is. Witches and warlocks learn to control the magic and they are not always born with it. Some of it comes from practice, the other is inherited."

He flicks his fingers on the right hand and a tidal wave of pure energy spreads out. Silvery white in appearance, vibrant, pulsating as it covers me and spreads far beyond, occupying the entire space around us.

I watch, mesmerised, this is exactly what I felt when he brought me to Orion. The same pulsating energy had covered me and the cart.

"This is my shield magic, which repels the monsters and protects the ones I cover it with. I learnt it. Didn’t inherit it," he explains, and I hold onto whatever sanity is left within me to not jump into his lap and let his wild hair wrap itself around me.

"I was able to learn it because the energy to create such a shield coincided with and matched my natural energy. Warlocks and witches use such energies to hone their powers and add similar ones to those they already possess." He pauses, ensuring I am following. A streak of his hair has elongated itself and now grazes my bandaged head with its pointed edge.

Emotions are born deep inside my belly, and my hands clutch in my lap as I purse my lips, nipping the urge to touch his hair.

"It also stems from emotions and what you value the most. Being the eldest born, I have an innate desire to protect, so I was able to learn this ability. That’s exactly what happens with those who take the evil path."

"I understand," I hoarsely speak, trying not to feel giddy because of how the part of his hair caresses my head as if trying to soothe the pain.

He glares at it, trying to reel in the magic but fails miserably.

"I apologise for my wild hair. I think it has something to do with the Fae magic inside you which attracts them," Alnilam wonders out loud, seeming confused. I can imagine something like that has never happened to him.

But how can I explain that it’s more than that? It’s because we are mates and he can’t feel the bond. He can’t see the faint gold silhouette which bathes me like I do with him.

"It’s alright."

"Back to the topic." His shield disappears. "Faes can’t learn the magic they are not born with. They carry energy within themselves, mostly inherited from their bloodlines. With practice, they can control and manifest it," he explains, getting up and walking towards the large glass bookshelf.

His hair finally retreats, but they dance behind him as if waving at me. It makes me smile, and my wounded heart finds ease.

Extracting a thick book with a blue cover, he walks over to me and hands it over. The cover is blank with only the moon drawn on it.

"Here, give this a read. It will help you understand Fae magic in detail. Once you have done the reading, we will commence practice." I accept it and place it in my lap. The urge to touch his long fingers coils inside me like a restless serpent but I refrain. His scent mingles with this book and the place, everything screams of him and yet I resist.

This is him being the most benevolent with me. No insult or judgment from him, and I don’t want to destroy this fragile bond being created between us.

"Thank you, I will do that."

"Remember Amaia, no one can know. If anyone asks, you just tell them you have extra lessons because you haven’t read the basics before," he insists. The violet in his eyes swirls like a black whirlpool. That has to be his wolf, trying to peek.

"Yes, I won’t tell anyone," I answer and at the same time wonder if he knows anything about Rigel. I will train and become stronger, so strong that I can break whatever shield holds Rigel as captive and set him free.

"We will focus on the two areas you have already unlocked. Once you get a proper hang of them, we will give elements a try. Maybe you have inherited them too," he says in wonderment before asking, "What powers did your parents have?"