Melissa Roehrich - Lady of Ashes: (Lady of Darkness Book 3)

Music is powerful. When I write I have music blasting in my earbuds, and many asked for a playlist. I adore when books come with playlists that follow along with the story. You feel everything more. It immerses you more. It brings everything to life. If find this to be true for you too, here you go! Enjoy!

Spotify Link:

https:// open. spotify. com/ playlist/ 15SehvoR3Fd7nk9btKxOBH? si= 673fad3c18f644f6

If you dont have Spotify, the full Playlist can also be found on my website: https:// www. melissakroehrich.com

T he girl clapped her hands over her mouth to quiet her breathing. Her knees were drawn into her chest as she huddled under the sofa table in the drawing room. The navy and gold embroidered decorative covering hid her from view. She sniffed the air, scenting him in the room.

I know you are in here, came his voice. She felt a flicker of power spearing out into the room. She couldnt hear his footsteps even with her Fae hearing, but then again, when a Fae warrior was hunting you, he knew how to move without a sound.

She focused on steadying her breathing like shed been practicing, willing those winds that flowed around her to calm and keep that covering from moving even an inch. That other power flowed around her, and she felt it scrape a flaming claw down her cheek. She flung her shields up, but it was too late.

Got you! The covering was flung up as flames surrounded her, and a male peered under the table at her, his dark hair falling over his forehead into his eyes.

The girl screamed.

The males laughter filled the room as the girl giggled with delight. You calmed your wind, but forgot about your shields, Little Whirlwind.

I know, I know, the girl huffed. There is so much to remember.

The males golden eyes twinkled. He gave the girl a wink as he said, Extinguish the flames around you, and I will sneak you some frozen cream before your aunt returns. Then he added, Blowing them out with your breath is cheating.

The girl narrowed her jade green eyes at the male. In a whiny voice she said, Why can I not just blow them out?

Because you need to learn to use your power with your mind, not just with your hands and mouth. So either put them out by sucking the air from them, or you will be stuck under there all day while I eat frozen cream by myself, he answered.

The girl had a pout on her lips, but she closed her eyes. In and out. In and out. She steadied her breathing just like he had taught her to do, pulling from her pool of winds and air.

Easy, Talwyn, the male said softly. You control it. It does not control you.

I know. I know, Talwyn muttered. She reached into that pool of swirling wind, trying to pull up just a small amount of air current, when something else caught her attention. There were flowers and sand and leaves amongst her winds. Where had those come from? The flowers were beautiful. Tiny purple lavender and white dogwood blooms. She reached towards those now, swirling in her whirls of air, and as she touched one

A gust of wind blew through the room. The flames around her roared to life. She could feel the heat but knew they would not burn her. Sorin would never let harm come to her.

You blew flowers in from the gardens, Little Whirlwind, Sorin said, flicking her nose as he extinguished the flames that surrounded her. Talwyn took his hand, and he helped her from beneath the sofa table. Her turquoise dress swished on the floor as her mahogany brown hair flowed on the phantom winds around her.

Ashtine never does that. She has more control than I do, and she is younger than me, Talwyn complained as Sorin led her to the door.

Lady Ashtine is nine. She is only a year younger than you, Sorin answered with a soft smile.

And she is a Wind Walker. It is not fair, Talwyn said.

What is not fair? came a feminine voice from the hall. Her aunt swept in, graceful and perfect as always. Her dark brown hair was swept into a loose knot at the nape of her neck, and her icy blue eyes were soft when they landed on Talwyn. Talwyn let go of Sorins hand and ran to her. Hello, little queen, her aunt said, crouching down to peer into her eyes and stroking her cheek. Now tell me. What is not fair?

Talwyn sighed, blowing a piece of her hair out of her face. Ashtine has better control over her magic, and shes a Wind Walker.

You will master your power, Talwyn. You have only just started your magic lessons. Because she is a Wind Walker, her powers emerged sooner. Your magic will grow as you grow, her aunt replied gently. How did your lesson go today?

Her aunt had straightened, taking her hand and leading her from the sitting room. Sorin, as always, was to her right as they walked along the corridors of the Black Halls. It was fine, Talwyn answered. Except that I blew flowers in from the gardens.

Did you now? her aunt said with a laugh. The violets or the roses?

They were little white and purple flowers, Talwyn answered.

Her aunt halted. We do not have such flowers around the Black Halls.

She probably blew them in from across the Courts, Elin. It was quite the gust, Sorin said from beside her.

Of course, Elin replied, resuming their walk down the corridor, but something had changed. Talwyn couldnt quite put her finger on it. Are we off to get frozen cream?