Kingdom of Ash

of this misty, door-filled space.
She was not afraid. Not as she opened her
other palm, and power poured forth.
Mala’s final gift. And defiance.
The force of a thousand exploding suns
ruptured from Aelin’s palm.
Lock. Close. Seal.
She willed it, willed it, and willed it.
Willed it to close as she offered over her
power.
But not that last bit of self.
The debt has already been paid enough.
A map home, a map inked in the words of
universes, would lead the way.
More and more and more. But not all.
She would not give it up. Her innermost
self.
She would not surrender.
They would not take this lingering kernel
of her.