When he was done, he stood there, breathing hard, his eyes filled with disgust. “You’re evil. I'm regretting that day I met you. You're not the woman I fell in love with."
Lavender didn’t respond. She only stared at him, letting the hatred in her heart grow stronger.
Lavender stood still as the white smoke swirled around her, thick and otherworldly. It carried the faint scent of herbs and moonlight, wrapping her in its embrace. She closed her eyes, her senses heightened, her heart beating steadily. The air felt alive, humming with power, as if the forest itself were watching, waiting for her transformation.
Her skin prickled, a tingling sensation spreading from her fingertips to her toes. She felt every breath, every heartbeat, as if they were magnified a hundredfold.
For so long, Lavender had carried the weight of rejection, betrayal, and loneliness. The memories of Cedar's betrayal flared in her mind—the cold nights she had endured, the mocking laughter of Fern that cut deeper than any physical wound. Those memories had been chains, binding her to a life she no longer wanted, but tonight, those chains were breaking.
Without warning, a sharp gust cut through the haze, and she sensed movement. Dahlia’s attack came swift and precise, but Lavender’s instincts kicked in. Her body twisted, narrowly dodging the healer’s strike even as her eyes remained closed. The sound of Dahlia’s movements echoed in her mind, guiding her as though she could see with her ears.
Dahlia lunged again, and this time Lavender wasn’t fast enough. Pain seared across her arms and legs as Dahlia’s claws cut into her skin. Lavender gasped. For a moment, doubt crept in. Was she truly ready? Could she overcome everything that had been holding her back? But before panic could take hold, she placed her hands over the wounds, her palms glowing faintly. Warmth spread from her touch, and in moments, the cuts closed, leaving no trace behind. She stared at her healed skin, the glow fading as quickly as it had appeared. This was her power. Not borrowed, not given by anyone else. It was hers.
A calm certainty washed over her as she opened her eyes. The bruises Cedar had left on her heart—his lies, his betrayal—no longer held power over her. She felt lighter, as if she had shed a heavy coat she hadn’t realized she was wearing. Her breaths came easier, her steps steadier.