Free Reflection Pond by Kacey Vanderkarr Page B

it carefully in her cupped palms; the petals were velvet soft and warm.
    “Shut your eyes,” he instructed.
    She obeyed, letting her eyelids flutter closed. Her stomach gave an uneasy zing at Ash’s proximity, near enough that she could feel his breath sweep her cheeks. He covered the backs of Callie’s hands with his. Her heart rate increased.
    “What do I do now?” Her words were breathless. Did she really believe she had some secret magical powers? Stupid, stupid, she scoffed.
    “Do you feel the heat in our hands?” Ash said, pressing tighter.
    She nodded.
    “Focus on that energy. It comes from within you, your core. You should feel it build there and expand until it flows into your fingertips, into the flower.”
    Callie tried to do what he said, imagining the energy bursting within her, but nothing happened. “It’s not working,” she grumbled, pulling away from him and dropping the flower. This was stupid. She felt stupid, if only for wanting it so badly.
    “You’re not trying,” he said, picking up the discarded bud. “You have to feel it here.” He touched the center of Callie’s chest, pressing against her sternum. “Try again.” He held out the flower until she sighed and took it.
    Callie closed her eyes again and focused on the spot where Ash’s touch lingered on her skin. Was it her imagination or did it grow warmer? Ash’s hands cradled hers.
    “Push that energy into your shoulders, let it flow down your arms, into your fingertips. Feel it enclose the flower, connect to it,” he instructed. Heat rose from his hands and seeped into Callie’s flesh, as though they held them over a fire. A moment passed while Callie focused everything she had on the energy inside of her. “Callie,” Ash whispered, “look.”
    The flower was opening, peeling away layer by long layer, its diameter over a foot wide. The violet petals revealed a fuchsia core, with a round, vibrant orange center. Callie laughed.
    Ash laughed too, throwing his head back and holding the flower over them so all she saw was the dark bloom and the star scattered sky. The petals curled and fell around them like snowflakes, bursting into tiny flowers no bigger than Callie’s fingertip with glowing orange centers. They dusted the floor, opening as they fell, scattering like fireflies at their feet.
    Ash’s smile faded as his gaze met hers. They dropped to her mouth. The remaining petals fell to the floor with muted, papery thuds. When his fingertips touched Callie’s face and left a warm trail across her cheeks, she closed her eyes. They found the tender spots on her neck where Elm had strangled her.
    She sucked in a breath, eyes popping open.
    “Well, isn’t this romantic?” Rowan snarled, suddenly appearing through the entrance.
    Color rose in Callie’s cheeks and she stared at the floor, unable to meet Rowan’s eye. Her heart pounded against her ribs, and bile burned the back of her throat.
    “Sapphire is looking for you,” Rowan said. “Ash was supposed to bring you back, but I see you two are otherwise engaged.”
    “Oh shut up, Rowan.” Ash brushed past him. “Come on, Callie. Let’s go find Sapphire.”
    Callie followed Ash toward the archway where she could see the hills of Eirensae waiting. She chanced one last look at Rowan. He stared at the spot she’d been standing with Ash, expression a mix of distaste and disbelief. One of his hands clenched into a fist, and then they were on the other side and all Callie could see was stone.
    As soon as Sapphire saw them coming up the path she rushed from her house and pulled Callie into a hug. Ash let go of her hand and she hugged Sapphire back, relieved to see her familiar face.
    “I thought for sure we were too late,” she said, pulling away to touch Callie’s face. “I saw you leave.”
    Callie frowned. “Really? Did you see a way for me to get back through the pond?” She thought of the binding spell that still burned her hand. She should tell Sapphire, but it