Kingdom of Ash

before he said, “Then we will make sure the
khagan’s host goes north. Then we will return
to Terrasen and crush Erawan’s armies.” He
brought her hands to his mouth for a swift
kiss. “And then, after all that, we’ll see about
this damned Lock.” Uncompromising will
filled his every breath, the air around them.
She let it be enough for both of them.
Tucked away his words, his vow, all those
promises between them and extended her
palm in the air between them.
She summoned the magic—the drop of
water her mother’s bloodline had given her.
Mab’s bloodline.
A tiny ball of water took form in her hand.
Over the calluses she’d so carefully rebuilt.
She let the gentle, cooling power trickle
over her. Let it smooth the jagged bits inside
herself and sing them to sleep. Her mother’s
gift.