Chapter Forty-One
Blossoms of jasmine sprouted and unfurled from the seemingly dead piece of wood, filling the air with their scent. I inhaled and thought of my mother with a pang. For a brief moment, I thought perhaps I felt the memory of her presence.
Then, the glow was gone. But the delicate white blooms remained. Tahlia opened her eyes to look down at them in awe.
Jaron gave her a solemn nod. “You are indeed one of the Keeper of Wisdom’s chosen.”
He held out his hands. Tahlia relinquished the staff with obvious reluctance. But then she looked up at him, her face shining and eager.
“Then you can train me!” Her voice rang with joy.
Even though I knew she had longed to find a way to become a devi—a mage-priestess of the goddess—an ugly part of me begrudged the idea of sharing such a
