He brightened. “I’ve never seen those rooms before. It’ll be an adventure!”
Resigned to proceeding with whatever he had planned, I quickly ducked into the first library and pulled the face-sized mirror down from where it hung on the wall just in case. Through the crack in the double doors leading to the deals library, I could see Phin pacing back and forth as she sorted. My heart clenched, a guilty flash of acid churning through my gut.
“Come on then,” I said to Seir, leading him past the kitchen and down the hall. I put my palm over the paintbrush on the workshop door frame, regretting having chosen that one the moment Seir noticed the portrait of us all still lingering on the easel.
“Are you making any progress, brother?”
“Not in a while.” I sighed. “But I’ll finish it.”
“I know you will,” he said, voice full of pride. “I’ve never doubted. And look, I’m already here and quite handsome!”
The corner of my mouth twitched despite my foul mood, and I settled the mirrors on an easel in front of the small sofa to the side of the work area. Regretful, I went to the door and turned the lock. I hated doing another thing I’d told her I wouldn’t. While there was almost zero chance Phin would come looking for us, I didn’t want her to stumble into this conversation.
Seir was already seated so I took the spot next to him before speaking the words to activate the glass. A confused Vassago appeared in the new mirror, but the older one remained blank.
“Is this the new mirror or the old one?”
“New.”
“Well, that’s one question answered. Good morning to you both. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Is Rylan there?” Seir asked, before I could even open my mouth.
“Yes. He and Magnus are working on something to do with the eclipse situation.”
“Can you bring them both in please?”
“Of course. Everything alright?”
“Tap is having a bad day.”
Vassago frowned in confusion as I stayed silent and spun my ring irritably. “Give me a moment.”
Soon enough, both of my brothers and the massive stone kin man were all visible in the mirror.
“Are you alone?” I asked, feeling foolish over how uncomfortable I was with the idea that my sisters-in-law might overhear whatever this conversation was going to be.
“They’re at the markets,” Rylan confirmed. “Are you ill?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You look awful,” Vassago agreed.
“And good morning to you both.” Neither looked apologetic in the least.
“What can we do for you, Tap?” Vassago asked.
“He’s in a bit of a situation,” Seir tried to break it to them gently, but my nerves were too frayed to continue the idle chatter.
“I need to know if there’s a way to break a bond once it’s sealed.”
The harsh chorus of “What?” made my ears ring.
“Is this a hypothetical?” Rylan shifted forward.
“No.”
“You were just here. We spoke about you having found your mate. What’s happened?” Vassago asked.
