*Briella*

I kneeled on the grassy earth, allowing my palms to rest on the cool blades. My eyes closed gently, my breaths deepening as I sought the core of magic within me. The world seemed to hush, waiting as if it were also drawing a long, grounding breath.

"Focus," I whispered to myself, coaxing my mind away from the chaos of thoughts. I imagined each worry and distraction like leaves caught in a gentle stream, carried away from the center of my ...