A string of gasps and moans spun around me, confirmation everyone else had also been blinded by my blow.
Only that very blow had collided with something much firmer than the cheek I targeted. And I hadn't heard any screams erupt from my father's throat. My light burned out slowly, disappearing quietly like the setting sun behind the horizon. I opened an eye, then two. Vibrant pink flames shrouded my fist…and the hand that covered it. And the flames were…cold, like I had just plunged my hand into frosted water.
My gaze followed the red sleeve belonging to the hand, and they led me higher to Queen Filomela's berry red eyes. Her narrow gaze softened at me. She had managed to absorb my concentrated magic—the very magic capable of melting away skin and metal—without harming me or herself. How? Gingerly, she lowered my hand.
