Shite.
With so much going on and now the revelation about Calix and Elora, I haven’t even congratulated my sister. Her eyes find mine from across the room and I brace myself for the harsh look. But she surprises me, smiling instead.
“Dancing!” Letty shouts. She pulls Sam and Eviey to the center of the large, open room, spinning them in a circle. Eviey laughs as they spin, and for a moment, I’m transported back to the night of the full moon celebration.
Loxley.
Home.
My throat burns at the image, so I look at the flames.
“Something interesting in there?” Sam steps beside me, bumping me with her shoulder.
Shaking my head, I glance at her. She looks less tired. Her eyes are as bright as the fire before us and her skin glows under its warm light. “You broke away from your dance so soon?”
She rolls her eyes. “The twins want to have a party before we leave tomorrow evening. As if the brink of war is the time for celebration.”
“Of course it isn’t.” I close my eyes, listening to the twins and Jarek sing behind me. “But you are worth celebrating.”
She’s waited too long for this.
Much, much too long.
And as much as I’m dying to tell her everything Calix told me, I bite my tongue instead. She deserves this moment. She deserves everything.
“Very true.” She smiles at the flames. “Plus, oncethatone starts singing, you know he won’t stop.” Her finger is directed at Jarek, and as if hearing her, he begins singing louder than before.
“We steal from the rich, even more from the richer. You better watch out, or Sam’s arrow will get ya!”
My sister and I share a laugh and I didn’t realize just how much I needed that. How much I need her. “Tell me of your magick.”
She glances at me quickly, something warring in her eyes. “It’s late,” she says. “We can talk about it tomorrow.”
“I want to know now.” I cross my arms and shoot her a grin.
She sighs, looking down at the fire. “According to mum,” she says, “I’m a Spirtiwalker.” She turns to face me again. “I saw Father. I spoke with him.” My mouth drops open which makes Sam smile. “That’s exactly how I felt.” She laughs, but it’s quiet. Nervous.
“Let's have the party,” I say, my mind still in disbelief. “Tomorrow, a proper celebration before we leave.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder and despite the tension between us the last few weeks, she hugs me back.
“Can you see it, love?”I ask, pulling her back tighter to my chest. “Right there.” I point just past her shoulder.
A tiny yellow bird is perched on a low branch of a nearby pine.
She glances at me over her shoulder, a smile stretching across her face. “What is it?”
The bird sings, high chirps drifting through the woods. Its bright yellow and dark feathers are prominent in the otherwise gray and green surroundings.
“It’s beautiful.” She takes a step closer but raindrops hit heavily on the branch, causing the bird to fly away.
“A goldfinch.” I step forward and wrap my arms around her middle.“They’re meant to bring good fortune.” I kiss the side of her neck, savoring the jasmine scent of her hair.
“You believe that superstition?” she asks over her shoulder.
“Of course,” I say.
Her smile widens, a spark of light catching in her amber eyes. I’m not sure I really do believe in superstitions as such, but seeing the bright look on her face, I’ll go along with it. If it makes her look like that, I’ll be the most devout believer in Teravie.
The rain increases, soaking our hair and clothes. Laughing, I grab her hand as we sprint through the forest.
