Victoria was silent for a few short moments. Her back was stiff, her lips a thin, pale line. Her fingers clenched her cloak. A heavy silence hung over the room before she finally spoke.

  “I want something to happen.” She turned her gaze to the candle. Her eyes flashed crimson for a split second. It was so fast that Alaric wasn’t sure whether he’d actually seen it, or whether it was just his imagination. The candle’s wick burst into flames instantly, burning hot as she raised her chin. “It happens. It uses my mana, but I have a lot of it, and it regenerates quickly.”

  Before Alaric could speak up, she continued. “How do you control Luna and Sol? How do you make them do your bidding? How come Cinder isn’t looking for a way to escape?”

  He scowled. “The Mark of Command-“

  “You have authority over them.” She cut him off. “They belong to you. Your mana belongs to you as well. It’s an extension of you – not some external tool you use, but a part of you.” She lifted her hand in front of her face. “Like your hand – you don’t struggle to make your fingers move, do you? So why is your mana any different?” Her forehead scrunched up. “Everyone who can use abilities has the same problem. Clara needs to focus a great deal to heal, Ava struggles to use her power on anything larger than a sword, and Martin’s ability should probably be a lot more useful than just stonecutting.”

  Annoyed, she let out a sigh. Her gaze turned to the candle and settled on it. She was biting her lower lip.

  “You don’t have that problem though. Why?” Despite gaining her abilities later than Clara and Ava, she was incredibly skilled at using them.

  “I practiced.” She folded her arms. “After you guys saved everyone from here,” she gestured downwards. “After you saved my life and nearly died in the process, I practiced. I wanted to be able to help. Heal like Clara does. Fight like Ava does. I got more and more used to my mana.” She shook her head. “But I can’t do what they can. All my power does is corrupt things.”

  What? His expression must have betrayed him, as she quickly averted her gaze.

  “You saw how when I use my power, plants I used it on turn into this blackish crimson colour. The same colour as the corruption we stopped.”

  “But they turn back… don’t they?” He wasn’t entirely sure. It had been a while since he’d seen her use her powers like that.

  “Yes. But it can’t be good, can it?” She met his gaze. “But that’s not what you wanted to know. Sorry. You need to get used to your mana. You need to have the same authority over it as you do over your limbs.” She pushed her chair back and got up. “I practiced by weaving plants in delicate patterns. By lighting torches without touching them. It was easier to practice while my mana was revealed. Made it easier to understand how it worked.”

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  He hadn’t thought of trying that. “Can you teach me?”

  Her expression stiffened. “It’s not that hard…”

  “Victoria, I’m running out of time.” It’s probably only easy for you.

  She hesitated.

  “Are you worried because you think your power spreads corruption?” His words made her flinch. “Is that why you refused to learn more spells when I translated some for you?” She looked down wordlessly. I knew it wasn’t because she couldn’t learn.

  “The witch was evil.”

  “And the necromancer turned out to be a helpful old dude.” Alaric retorted. “We clearly can’t judge people what their powers can do. I mean…” he tapped on the back of his right hand with a smirk. “That’d make me quite the villain, wouldn’t it?”

  “I didn’t mean that-“

  “I know. I’m just trying to make a point. Look,” he also stood up with a tired sigh. “I get that what your power looks like scares you. But you can’t not use it.”

  “Why not?” She clenched her hands. “Those without powers are doing just fine!”

  Alaric almost laughed. “Do you really think if none of us had any powers whatsoever, we’d have survived this long? They’re alive, because people fight for them. Because Clara heals them. Because you and Ava make them feel safe. Because the wolves protect them.” He gestured towards the northern window. “Without Cinder, we’d be struggling to have any water whatsoever.”

  Victoria bit her lips again.

  “You used your magic to find Verdant Thyme. Was that evil? Did that hurt anyone?” Be convinced already!

  “We needed it to heal you and the others…” she sheepishly muttered.

  “Victoria.” He tried to suppress the rising annoyance. It was normal for her to be scared, he reminded himself over and over again. “You are probably the most powerful person here. How you got that power really doesn’t matter. What you do with it does. So, and I mean this in the kindest way possible, get over it.”

  His words visibly startled her. “What…?”

  “Get over it.” He repeated himself. “You’re strong. You want to heal like Clara does. Well, you can’t. But you can do other things. Good things. Do that. Like how you found the Verdant Thyme. How you helped the guys clear Castle Dorwan. How you fought off the wolves when we came across the first spire.” He pointed all around them with a wide gesture. “Every single person in this castle is doing what they can to prepare for what’s to come. You have to do the same. And you can have a much greater effect. Not using your power is unacceptable. It’s the same as not giving your all. And if people die… you’ll have let them die.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “Tomorrow, I’ll start practicing. I hope you’ll join me and help.” He turned around. If you don’t, I’ll be disappointed.

  Had he been too hard on her? As he sat in the Witch’s study shortly after dawn, the same question repeated itself in his mind. Was she more scared now?

  It’s still early. She’ll come. He tried to convince himself. She’ll come.

  The sky was hidden over a thick layer of clouds. It was a windy day, and the air smelled of rain and wet earth. He had heard it raining overnight. Clearly there was more rain to come. Winter was at their doorstep. Every day, the weather grew harsher, and the temperatures dropped. The castle was somewhat warm yet, but they would soon start needing to light up the hearths.

  He sighed. She’s not coming, is she? He closed his eyes.

  The door creaked open, prompting him to open his eyes again.

  Victoria stepped through, followed by Ava and Clara. A few steps behind them was Arthur, and Sarah.

  “Good morning!” Sarah exclaimed, then gently nudged her young son. “Good morning Mister Wizard!” Arthur exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

  “I thought that since we’ll be practicing, Ava and Clara should join.” Victoria sheepishly spoke up. “And Sarah wanted to come see too. Along with Arthur.”

  A wave of relief washed over him. “That’s a great idea.”