The Aspect of Essence (The Aelfyn Archives, #1)

by Samantha Amstutz

“I’m not doing anything.” Vesryn’s brow furrowed while he evaluated her finger, turning her hand over to inspect the shattered joints. “Well, what do you call that shock of power then?” “It’s your magic.” “Why would—” “Shut up. I need to concentrate for this.” A pressure thrummed, unformed Essence surrounding them like a starry heat wave. “It happens to me too,” Vesryn admitted. Serenna gaped when a soft red light sprang between their hands. Tendrils of mending laced around her broken finger, numbness enveloping her joints. “I thought you didn’t permit healing for three days.” Stunned, Serenna stared at her crooked finger. She frowned. The rather sloppy lattice of magic would’ve offended Jassyn, agitating him enough to drive both of his hands through his curls. “Is this even considered…mending?” she asked. Vesryn rolled his eyes and released her hand. “I set the bones and dispersed the swelling. I can’t manage anything beyond that, but you won’t perceive the break. You can have it straightened next week.” Serenna’s brows rose, shocked that he’d admitted to a deficiency in skill. She nearly thanked him before she recalled he was the one who’d fractured her finger. Even if she broke the rules. And she wouldn’t hesitate to defend herself again. “Why?” She blinked questioningly at him. Not understanding his motivation only steered her thoughts into an endless loop of uncertainty. Vesryn shrugged. “I didn’t want to feel it.” “Feel it?” She waved her hand in between them. “It’s ...