ELEMENTS: Acquiesce by Kathryn Andrews (snow like ashes series .TXT) 📕

“What?”

“You heard me. I can’t run the risk of being electrocuted can I?” Cordelia raised an eyebrow and smirked at Breck.

Breck sighed. “Very well, but only because I get to spend more time with you.”

“You know, we should really go somewhere more private. We don’t want the town folk seeing you practise your wizardry skills up here do we?”

“My wizardry skills?”

“I’m joking. You called me a witch remember?”

“I didn’t call you a witch, I asked if you were a witch. There’s a difference.”

“Hmm, okay, I’ll let you off.”

“Aren’t you at all phased by this?”

“It takes more than a little static to phase me,” replied Cordelia and she began walking back to Misty.

“I thought you’d be surprised at least,” said Breck, catching up with her.

“Surprised, yes. Phased, no. There’s a difference.”

“So where is it you’re taking me?”

“Somewhere secluded, away from prying eyes.”

“Does this place have a name?”

“Perhaps.”

“Is it a date?”

Cordelia smiled and carried on walking.

“You don’t give much away do you?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Of course.”

Breck untied Misty and they galloped across the beach towards the West End. Cordelia held on tight, her cheek pressed against Breck’s shoulder blade.

“Where to?” asked Breck as they left the beach.

“Left!” cried Cordelia.

Locals stared and pointed as the pair galloped along the promenade for a short distance before making a sharp turn and galloping out of town. They galloped for several miles until they came to a fork in the track.

“Which way?” asked Breck.

“Right.”

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going yet? Only it won’t be a secret once we’re there, so you may as well tell me.”

“The Bridges of Ross.”

“Can’t say I know it.”

“That’s the point. Not many do.”

When they arrived, Breck hooked Misty’s rope around a post at the end of a stone wall and they made their way along the slip way towards the sea. Cordelia smiled at Breck’s expression as he watched the rocks glistening in the sun.

“How did I not know about this place?” he asked. “Ma would have loved it here.”

“Come on,” said Cordelia, holding out her hand, “it looks better close up.”

They walked hand in hand across the shimmering rocks until Breck eventually stopped and looked out to sea.

“Shouldn’t the tide be in now?” he asked.

“Perhaps.”

Breck noticed a coyness in Cordelia’s tone. He looked at her and then back out to sea, squinting slightly in an attempt to see more clearly. “The water looks strange don’t you think?”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed. Come on, we should get on with what we came here for.”

“And what is that exactly?”

“To test your powers of course.”

Breck chuckled. “Powers? Like you said, it’s just a bit of static. Friction. I don’t have powers. Although it’s kinda sweet that you think I do. It’s funny actually.”

“Funny? Are you kidding? Come on, we have to try.”

“Try what?”

“You need to learn to channel your power. You’re all over the place with it. You need to control it. You’re safe here, no one will see.”

“Have you heard yourself? I spend my days in a bog, covered in mud. There’s nothing special about me. All this wizardry you speak of, it’s beyond me.”

Cordelia could feel her heart racing frantically beneath her chest, partly because she’d only been joking about wizardry skills and also because Breck wasn’t taking things at all seriously.

“Then why did we ride all the way out here?!” snapped Cordelia.

“Because I’d go anywhere with you.”

Suddenly a great wave came hurtling towards them.

“Look out!” cried Breck, throwing one arm around Cordelia and the other in the direction of the wave.

Electricity flew from his fingertips like lightening bolts and struck the arch of one of the bridges. Rocks and soil crumbled into the sea as the wave washed over them. Beneath the water they held onto one another, electricity binding their hands together. They looked around in wonder at the field of electricity that appeared to be holding the water off them as they tumbled gracefully toward the cliff face. Pinpricks of brilliant blue light radiated from the wave like stars in the night sky. Amidst the mesmerising beauty, Cordelia began to panic having realised the imminent danger they faced. She tried desperately to release her hands from Breck’s grasp but she couldn’t. He saw the panic in her eyes. Frustrated by his inability to do anything remotely helpful, electricity surged through his body, unexpectedly propelling them both out of the water and onto the cliff top above. They landed on their backs with a thud. Breck slowly turned his neck to see Cordelia lying on the ground, her elbow bleeding.

“Cordelia!” he called. “I’m so sorry!” He scrambled to his feet and rushed over to her.

“No, it’s my fault,” insisted Cordelia, “I wasn’t concentrating.”

“Don’t be daft,” said Breck, checking her over, “I’ve just catapulted you from the sea and thrown you on your arse on a cliff top. I should have listened to you.”

“What happened just then wasn’t your fault,” said Cordelia, sitting up.

“You were right. I’m a loose cannon,” Breck was tense. Angered. “Urrgghh!”

Cordelia cautiously reached her hand forward.

“No,” said Breck, “stay back.”

“You can’t be serious?”

Breck’s eyes were wild as he gestured towards the collapsed bridge, “Did you not see what I did to the bridge? That could’ve been you.”

“But it wasn’t,” insisted Cordelia, her voice breaking.

“Look at you, you’re bleeding. It’s too dangerous. I can’t be responsible for hurting you.”

“What are you saying?” asked Cordelia, her voice distressed.

“I’ll take you home, but that’s it. I can’t see you after today.”

Cordelia sat on the ground in stunned silence watching Breck walk briskly to his horse. Rain began to fall and the clouds eclipsed the sun.

“Wait!” she cried, chasing after him. “I have to show you something.”

Misty rose up on her hind legs and Breck tried to calm her.

“Shhh,” he said, reaching up to stroke her nose, “calm down girl.”

“Breck! You have to see this!” shouted Cordelia.

A gust of wind blew so violently he became unsteady on his feet. Breck held on to Misty’s reins and