(Cherry's POV)
For a moment, no one breathed.
The throne room held a tension so sharp it could have sliced skin.
The Flame stood there shoulders relaxed, expression soft but dangerously aware and the air around her vibrated with raw magic.
The broken glass on the floor glittered at her feet like fallen stars.
Her strange eyes drifted… and landed squarely on Cherry.
Cherry felt the look like a slap.
The mage tilted her head slowly, knowingly as if she could smell the magic leaking from Cherry's very bones.
Damn it.
Cherry forced her mind inward, shoving every trace of magic deep, deep, deeper into the recesses of her core.
She sealed it behind mental walls, tightening them until her temples pulsed from the strain.
Just a little more for her to contain it from any foreign attack.
The Flame opened her mouth as if about to say something.
But Cherry cut her off immediately.
