I hope so, she insisted loudly enough that her heart should hear.That’s his engaged and heshouldspend time with her.
“All right, Alyss, just like we planned,” Noelle encouraged.
Alyss took a deep breath, ground her knuckles together, rolled her shoulders back, and then shook out her hands at her sides. Her fingers balled into fists and there was a loud groaning. The earth rattled. Without warning, the house exploded.
13
Eira raised her hands to shield her face from the debris, bracing herself. But none pelted her. She slowly squinted her eyes open and lowered her arms to find the wood that had previously made up the Solaris home hovering, midair.
The earth rumbled again and, like daisies pushing up through hard-pressed soil, stone jutted upward, making new walls in place of the old wooden ones. Alyss had a look of intense focus as she outstretched her hands. Her fingers wriggled through the air as though she were sculpting one of her animals and not aliteralhouse.
Eira had always known Alyss was incredible, but reminders like this took her breath away. So much for trying to keep some of their skills private. Though she could hardly be mad at Alyss for wanting to stretch her magic beyond what she’d ever had an opportunity to before.
Stone continued to rise up from deep within the earth to rebuild the foundation and first floor. The same windows as before—glass still safely in its wooden frames—slotted into new holes. The extra wood from the former downstairs wasrepurposed to expand the room above. Three new bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs.
Wood and stone tucked into itself in a way only a Groundbreaker could manage. Perfect grooves and notches made a sturdy, new building. The magic in the air dissipated with Alyss’s sigh. Her shoulders hunched slightly. “I have a few finishing touches, but I’m going to catch my breath.”
“You did great!” Noelle squeezed Alyss’s shoulder. “This is perfect.”
The other competitors gaped in awe. The elfin whispered eagerly between themselves. Eira wrapped her arm around her friend’s other shoulder.
“You’re incredible.”
“Thanks.” Alyss smiled at her. “It felt good to show off a bit of what I could do and help out the team.” Alyss’s earlier somber note had an expected explanation. Eira was somewhat relieved it was as simple as this.
“You are an incredible help to the team. Never doubt that.” Eira shook her gently. “And I promise you’re going to have more chances to show just how much.”
“I hope you like the changes; Noelle designed it and you know her—she’s not going to consult with anyone.”
“Firstly, excuse you. Secondly, it wasourdesign.” Noelle motioned between herself and Alyss. “I wasn’t going to sleep in a bunk any more than we were going to have Eira sleeping under or above, or even across from, Cullen.” She grimaced. “This gives us all a little bit more privacy, at least.”
Eira’s chest tightened slightly. “Thank you. You didn’t have to—”
Alyss held up a slightly trembling hand. “You can leave it at thank you.”
“If you’ll all excuse me, I have some work to do,” Luca announced, starting back toward the morphi’s home.
“I’m helping!” Graff rushed over.
“Same!” Sorrah wasn’t far behind.
“Actually, would you mind helping us?” Olivin asked Sorrah. “Lightspinning wouldn’t be nearly as effective as the shift for something like this.”
Sorrah paused, hesitating. “You…wantmyhelp?”
“If you’ll give it.”
“A morphi?” Sorrah leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing.
“A skilled sorcerer,” Olivin emphasized. “I see nothing more or less.”
“An elfin lord will be comfortable sleeping in a house made by the shift?” Sorrah was still uncomfortable.
“Was he unclear?” Menna moved to Olivin’s side.
“Not at all. I just can’t believe it.” Sorrah shook her head. “But if you’re sure, I’ll be glad to help.”
“And we’ll be glad to have your assistance,” Olivin said, speaking for his team. Though Menna looked slightly less convinced.
