Beauty and the Madness

CYRAN

It doesn't tickle anymore. It doesn't hurt. It lies dormant under my palms, my chest, like a cooling ember, waiting to be called upon.

I have no idea what the book did to me, but it seems to have the same effect on Saelyna. She isn't as tentative as she had been minutes ago when I told her what I meant to do. I can almost feel the iden waiting on her call like mine, can see it behind her eyes. Or it's Halden, and the thought of losing our friends. At least this channels the rage.

She squats before them, peering and searching through the blue leaves, picking small, pea-sized balls, what we used to call kingpeas. Tiny little buggers, the start of our troubles as well. I recall the weird feeling I'd get when around them back in the glade. It was one of the reasons I opted to be among the "food crew", even though Camille made me less comfortable. At least I was far away from the cursed things.

And here we are.

I scoff at the voice in my head, as she stands erect. She holds a handful