Seraphina's POV
Elder Rowan woke me before dawn.
Up, child, she said, rapping her staff against the doorframe. The land is most responsive in early morning. We begin now.
I groaned and pulled the furs over my head. I barely slept.
Because you're fighting the bond instead of accepting it. Now get up before I drag you up.
Something in her tone said she'd absolutely do it.
I stumbled out of bed, still wearing yesterday's torn dress. Rowan looked me over critically, then handed me new clothes—simple leather pants and a tunic, nothing like the gowns I'd worn my whole life.
Kingdom clothes will get you killed in combat training, she said. Change. Meet me at the training ground in five minutes.
She left before I could argue.
I changed quickly, my fingers clumsy with exhaustion. Through the bond, I felt Dante's awareness stirring—he was waking too, alerted by my movement.
Training already? his voice murmured in my mind.
Apparently Elder Rowan doesn't believe in rest.
She doesn't. But she's the best teacher in the Wildlands. Listen to her.
I found the training ground easily—a circular clearing at the base of the Heartwood's largest tree. Rowan waited there, along with Dante and Kira.
I thought this was magic training, I said. Why is everyone here?
Because uncontrolled Keeper magic can level forests, Kira said flatly. We're here in case you accidentally try to kill the Elder.
I wouldn't—
Not on purpose, Rowan interrupted. But your power has been suppressed for twenty-five years. When it breaks free, it won't be gentle. Now come here.
I walked to the center of the clearing, my heart already racing.
Rowan circled me slowly, examining my marks. They'd spread overnight—silver runes now covered my arms completely and had started creeping up my neck.
The land is claiming you faster than I expected, she murmured. Your bloodline must be strong. Pure Keeper heritage, not diluted.
What does that mean?
It means you're going to be powerful. Possibly more powerful than any Keeper in the last five hundred years. She stopped in front of me. It also means your training will be dangerous. For everyone.
Dante shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable. Through the bond, I felt his worry spiking.
Dangerous how? I asked.
Your family didn't just suppress your magic. They built walls around it, generation after generation. Psychological blocks designed to keep the power dormant. Rowan's expression grew grim. Those walls are crumbling. When they break completely, the magic will explode outward. We need to teach you control before that happens.
How long do I have?
Days. Maybe less.
Fear shot through me. That's not enough time!
Which is why we start immediately. Rowan gestured to the ground. Kneel. Press your palms flat against the earth.
I knelt, feeling the damp soil beneath my knees. My hands shook as I placed them on the ground.
Close your eyes, Rowan instructed. Breathe. Feel the earth beneath you.
I tried to focus, but my mind raced with panic. Days to learn control? What happened if I failed?
Breathe, Dante's voice whispered through the bond. I'm right here. You're safe.
His calm bled into me, steadying my racing heart slightly.
I closed my eyes and pressed my palms harder against the earth.
At first, nothing happened. Just dirt and grass and the morning chill.
Then I felt it.
A pulse beneath my hands. Like a heartbeat, but massive. Ancient. The land's consciousness recognizing me.
Good, Rowan's voice came from far away. Now listen. The land wants to speak to you.
The pulse grew stronger. I felt it spreading through the ground—roots connecting every tree, water flowing underground, animals moving through the forest. Everything alive and aware.
It was overwhelming. Beautiful. Terrifying.
Ask it a question, Rowan said. Something simple.
What do I ask?
Whatever you want to know.
I thought for a moment, then whispered, Why did you choose me?
The answer came instantly—not in words, but in feeling. Recognition. Like the land had been waiting generations for me specifically. My bloodline. My power. My—
Pain exploded in my chest.
The walls Rowan mentioned—the psychological blocks my family built—shattered all at once.
Magic erupted from my hands like a dam breaking.
I screamed as power flooded through me. Lightning burst from my palms, striking the ground and sending up explosions of dirt. Wind howled around me, tearing leaves from trees. The earth itself cracked, creating fissures that spread outward.
Seraphina, stop! Rowan's voice was distant, drowned out by the roar of magic.
I couldn't stop. The power kept coming, pouring through me in waves that burned like fire in my veins.
A tree to my left exploded as lightning struck it. The trunk split down the middle, crashing to the ground.
I can't control it! I sobbed. It won't stop!
Hands grabbed mine—large, calloused, warm.
Dante.
He'd dropped to his knees in front of me, pressing his palms over mine. His magic rose to meet mine—earth and stone and primal Alpha power.
Where my magic was wild chaos, his was controlled strength.
They crashed together like waves meeting rock.
Focus on me, Dante commanded, his amber eyes blazing. Feel my power. Match it. Let it guide yours.
I don't know how!
Yes, you do. Through the bond. Feel what I'm doing and copy it.
I reached through our connection desperately. His magic felt different from mine—heavier, more grounded. He was channeling it deliberately, directing it into the earth instead of letting it explode outward.
I tried to copy him. Tried to push the power down instead of out.
The lightning flickered and died.
The wind calmed slightly.
That's it, Dante said. Keep going. Push it into the ground. Let the earth absorb it.
His hands tightened over mine, and I felt his magic wrapping around mine like a net. Containing it. Controlling it.
Together, we forced the wild power back down.
The wind stopped. The ground stopped shaking. The magic retreated like a tide going out.
I collapsed forward, shaking violently. Only Dante's arms kept me from hitting the ground.
I've got you, he murmured. You did it. You controlled it.
You controlled it, I gasped. I just followed.
You still did it.
I pulled back enough to see his face. Sweat dripped down his temple. His breathing was labored.
Are you hurt? I asked.
Your magic is... He shook his head. It's stronger than I expected. Fighting to contain it took everything I had.
Rowan appeared beside us, examining the destruction. The split tree. The cracks in the earth. Scorch marks where lightning had struck.
Impressive, she said calmly. And terrifying.
I'm sorry, I whispered. I couldn't stop it.
Because your blocks shattered all at once. I was hoping they'd crumble gradually, but apparently your bloodline had other ideas. She looked at Dante. You felt how strong she is?
Yes. His arms tightened around me protectively. Elder, that much power shouldn't exist in a human body. It's too much.
Which is why Keepers always bonded with Alphas, Rowan explained. Alone, Keeper magic is wild and uncontrollable. But bonded with an Alpha's grounding power, it becomes directed. Purposeful. You two together can control what she can't manage alone.
So I'm useless without him? Bitterness crept into my voice.
No. You're learning. He's been controlling his magic for seven years. You've had it for less than a day. Rowan's expression softened. You're not weak, child. You're untrained. There's a difference.
Dante helped me stand, keeping one arm around my waist when my legs wobbled.
How many more times will that happen? I asked. The magic exploding like that?
Until you learn control? Often. Rowan picked up her staff. Your power will keep surging as more marks appear. Each time will be harder to contain as you grow stronger.
Then I need to learn faster.
Agreed. Which is why we'll train twice daily. Morning and evening. She looked at Dante. You'll assist. Your magic is the only thing strong enough to ground hers.
I'll be here, he said immediately.
Through the bond, I felt his determination. And underneath it, worry. He was scared of how powerful I was becoming.
What if I hurt someone? I asked quietly. What if next time, you can't contain it?
Then we'll deal with it, Dante said firmly. But I won't let you face this alone.
Kira approached from where she'd been watching at a safe distance. Elder, the magic surge was visible from the Heartwood. People are asking questions.
Let them ask, Rowan said. They need to understand what a Keeper is capable of. For better or worse.
Some are scared, Kira admitted. They're saying she's too dangerous. That she'll destroy us all.
Shame burned through me. I'd been here less than a day and already people feared me.
They don't understand yet, Dante's voice said in my mind. Give them time.
Time is exactly what we don't have, Kira said. Border scouts reported kingdom soldiers mobilizing. Commander Vex is gathering forces.
My blood ran cold. How many?
At least two hundred. Maybe more. Kira's expression was grim. They're planning something big. And I'd bet everything I own that you're the target.
When will they attack? Dante demanded.
Three days. Four at most.
Three days. I had three days to learn control over magic that had just destroyed a tree and cracked the earth.
Three days before Adrian and Celeste's soldiers came to finish killing me.
I can't learn enough in three days, I said, panic rising. I can barely control my power for five minutes!
Then we train harder, Rowan said. And we hope it's enough.
Dante's hand found mine, our marked skin touching. Warmth spread through the bond—his absolute refusal to give up, his determination that I would survive this.
If they come, he said quietly, they'll find out what happens when you threaten a Keeper bonded to her Alpha.
What happens? I whispered.
His smile was sharp and dangerous. We show them why the kingdoms spent three centuries trying to eliminate your kind.
Through the bond, I felt his power rising to meet mine. Two magics that separately were formidable.
Together, we might actually stand a chance.
But only if I learned control. Fast.
Again, I told Rowan, pulling away from Dante and kneeling on the cracked earth. Teach me again. I don't care how many times I fail. I won't let them destroy another home.
Rowan's smile was fierce and approving. Now you sound like a Keeper.
I pressed my palms to the ground, feeling the land's pulse beneath my hands.
This time, when the magic surged, I was ready.
Almost.