I excelled at those recently.
“And if one of you tried to reverse it?” I asked. “If Celeste wasn’t ready?”
Nova’s gaze held mine, steady and unflinching. “We could. But it would be louder. Messier. And it would leave traces.”
“Traces,” I echoed.
“Signatures,” Bella clarified. “Magic remembers who touches it.”
“And who notices those signatures?” I asked quietly.
Nova didn’t hesitate. “Anyone looking.”
The Priestess’s shadow loomed unspoken between us.
I nodded slowly. “Then Celeste needs to do it before she leaves.”
“Yes,” Nova said. “And before any unwanted visitors arrive.”
Ardetia’s eyes flicked briefly toward the ceiling, toward the deeper wards. “Timing matters.”
“How much time do we have?” I asked.
Bella shrugged. “Hard to say. Days, maybe. Less if the spell stabilizes further.”
So much for giving her all the time she needed.
My pulse picked up. “So we guide her carefully.”
“All of us,” Nova said.
I blinked. “All three?”
Ardetia smiled faintly. “Different perspectives matter. I can help her understand the structure of the spell. Nova can help her regulate the emotional current. Bella can keep it grounded.”
Bella tapped her chest. “And make sure nobody overthinks themselves into a magical knot.”
For the first time since I’d entered the room, I laughed. “She’s going to love that.”
“She already likes us,” Bella said. “Which helps.”
I sobered again. “She’s scared. She doesn’t want to hurt anyone.”
“That’s why she won’t,” Nova said simply. “Fear doesn’t corrupt magic, but refusal to feel it does. That’s why arrogance in spellwork rarely goes according to plan.”
I drew a breath. “She goes back to college soon.”
“We know,” Ardetia said. “That’s why we’ll start immediately.”
“And if she can’t finish it in time?” I asked.
Nova met my gaze. “Then we pause. We don’t force it.”
I swallowed. “Even if that means—”
“Even then,” Nova said firmly. “Her autonomy matters. Especially now. Your ex is far less important than Celeste’s safety.”
I chuckled at Nova’s endless honesty.
