“Aye, most of the time.” He laughed, batting at her arm. “You’re fine, though? Truly?”
There was a spark of worry in his golden stare that pulled at her heartstrings. “I’m…” It was her turn to exhale, melting a bit. “Let’s agree to never do this again.”
She practically fell over when Araxis chuckled.
“As warming as this is,” Cordelia piped in, still sitting in her same spot on the rounded bench, “you’ve only got minutes before half the Evesong comes barreling up here, Moonweaver.”
“Aye, it was quite the spectacular light show you put on, witchling.”
“She’s right,” Thaddeus said, head tilted towards the stairs. “I can hear them already.”
Shite.
Darting a frantic look around, she spotted Fern, perched on the pedestal where Illamiata had been resting like she owned the place. “Where are Amunkar and Amal? Vann?”
“Our future Emperor said he would know when to find us later, whatever the fuck that means. Likewise, Vann said there was something he needed to do before he met us back in the Montrealm. Again, cryptic and meaningless.”
Lunara didn’t have time for the small twist of disappointment in her gut. She’d done what she came to do, and the Tear Stone was hers.
It was time to find her mate.
Murmurs started up from the stairwell, growing louder. The way was long and winding, so they had a few minutes yet, but they were trapped.
“Calm.” Araxis rounded her, his hand on her shoulder. “You already know what to do.”
Leave finding out how in the arsing realms he knew what you were thinking for later.
Right.
“I don’t.” She squared her shoulders. “Tell me.”
“We’re going to mist, obviously.”
It’s fine. You’re fine.
For the first time, those four words uplifted and encouraged, instead of being bitten-out with underlying impatience. For the first time, she believed them.
“Show me.”
“Reach your power out and latch on to mine. I will carry us this first time. Pay attention. It should come to you fairly naturally if you let yourself feel it.” He gripped her hand and gestured for Magnus and Thaddeus to come closer. “We were born for this, Lunara. Use that knowledge to your advantage.”
She did as he said, sending out her threads—and had to stifle a grimace when the magic swept out and away from her and actuallyslammedinto him, rocking his body backwards.
Araxis grunted, but gave no other sign he was offended by her lack of control. “Think of it like there’s ten of you now, and adjust.”
She nodded and pulled some of it back, the invisible particles surrounding them greeting one another like long-lost friends.
“More like a thousand,” Cordelia murmured, “but who’s counting?”
Lunara chewed the inside of her cheek and retracted even more of her power, one ear on the advancing racket. “Are you coming with us?”
It was odd to find herself hoping the answer would be yes. That they might have more time to mend the rift between them.
“I am not.” Cordelia looked away, out over the sparkling city. “Someone has to make excuses and smooth ruffled feathers. Might as well be me.”
“Then… I will see you soon.”
Her eyes glittered. “Yes, Moonweaver. You will.”
