Chapter Seventy
“That kid is a flippin’ human torch! I’m worried that she’s gonna explode. Could it be the containment in the dress?” I whispered urgently to Willow after Ember was finally distracted by her music.
Fortunately, Ember could only hear my obliterations when I channeled them although I could hear her thoughts through the cunning ribbon. I certainly didn’t want my little girl to know how freaked out I was.
“No, it’s internal. She’s been ‘running warm’ for days now or haven’t you noticed?” Willow whispered back.
“I thought it was just me losing my mind to the madness…” I replied, incredulously.
“It’s not just your imagination, but Ember’s not ready to discuss it with us yet. Oh my holy heaven help me, how could I forget about her secret internal fire?? I guess I got so focused on soothing you and helping you get through this thing tonight that I forgot! She’s keeping the inner fire to herself for now…she’s entitled to do that! We’ve gotta remove the cunning ribbon right now. We’re violating her privacy…”
“No way is that happening, Willow! The cunning ribbon is gonna stay right where it is until this night is over…”
“She’s gonna flip out, and she’ll never trust me again! Is that what you want, Tray??” Willow tried hard to control the volume of her voice because it had climbed steadily as her anxiety increased.
My little girl didn’t seem to notice her outburst thankfully. She was still thinking of the music lyrics in her head and worrying about being forced to take off the vestment in a few minutes.
“Calm down. I’d planned to use my obliteration skills ‘free hand’ like I’ve done my entire life until I explain the ribbons and how they work.”
“No way are you gonna wait until we’re inside to tell her about them! You either explain them to her the instant we park or I’ll yank that sucker off so fast your head won’t stop spinning until sometime next week…”
“Okay, I’ll tell her when we get there…”
“Do you promise not to use it until you explain to her specifically what it does??” she interrupted me.
“Well, I’ll have to demonstrate so she can understand. Then, I swear to you on my word that I won’t use the cunning ribbon for anything without her say so…”
“You also have to tell her I’m the one that placed it there. I want Ember to trust in me and always know I have her best interests at heart…” she stated firmly and I watched her hands start shaking from the realization of what she thought might have happened.
“I wish you could just trust me, Willow…” I whispered to her.
“I do trust you…”
“Then, you need to hear me – I plan for every single contingency with Ember. That was the first thing I considered. Well, after my world domination scheme failed, that was the next thing I worked on. No one’s trust will ever be betrayed between us. I’ve got your back just like always. That is not gonna change tonight or ever…”
I saw her struggle with the truth and wished longingly that Willow would someday just have that faith in me.
Ember Rising Light (Book One) Page 74
