Juliette smiled excitedly and pushed back her sleeve to reveal the Sigil mark on her wrist. It matched Isla’s exactly. “It’s like we’re twins!” she said brightly, then wrinkled her nose. “Well ... except for the whole dark, destructive, fire-and-shadow thing versus your wholesome plant-life-and-healing air.”
“Hey, I can make things decay,” Isla offered, trying not only to keep up with information overload but also to make her friend feel better even though the thought of decay made her shudder. “You’re not the only one with a destructive streak.”
“True,” Juliette admitted, though she didn’t look entirely convinced. “Anyway,” she continued, brightening again, “beingFatedmeans there’s a special someone out there meant for us.”
“A special someone?” Isla echoed uneasily.
“Yeah! We’re destined to fall in love, and when we do—when it’sreal—it actually amplifies our powers. True love makes us more powerful. It brings out the best in both people.”
Juliette paused, looking a tad worried. “Though I am not sure I want my powers to be more powerful.” She shook off her melancholy. “Though a handsome hero would be the dreamiest.”
“Hardly. That’s not going to happen to me.”
“Why not?” Juliette looked horrified at the thought of denying a handsome hero.
“Well, for starters, I don’tneedanyone in order to feel fulfilled. And secondly, relying on people ...” Isla hesitated, then looked away. “That can be ... dangerous.”
“Dangerous how?” Juliette asked gently.
Isla sighed. Her friend knew her too well. “You know a lot of my history. After growing up alone, fighting for everything I’ve achieved—I’ve only ever had myself to rely on. Letting someone in, connecting like that ...” She trailed off, her eyes suddenly stinging. “What if I find someone and they leave? Or no one wants me that way? What if this mark is just a reminder that I’m not wanted?”
Juliette stood and came around the table, wrapping her arms around Isla without hesitation. “I know the matron at the orphanage told you your parents didn’t want you—that they abandoned you—but that doesn’t mean you always have to go it alone.Iwant your friendship. And one day, someverylucky man is going to want you too. And you don’t even know if that grumpy old woman was right. She sounded rather spiteful.”
Isla sniffled, blinking back tears.
“And Isla,” Juliette continued, her voice warm, “what you’ve accomplished on your own is extraordinary. The day that cleaning lady told you to read everything you could because she noticed the rich always had books in their homes—that was a turning point. You listened. You read. You practically out-read the librarians once you attended school.” She gave Isla a teasing wink. “And I’mthrilledyour love of books brought you into my library. I knew the moment you walked in—we were kindred spirits.”
She gently tucked a strand of hair behind Isla’s ear in a motherly way even though Isla was older.
“But don’t let your past keep you from finding love in your future. We don’t know why your parents left, and that matron didn’t sound like the warm, nurturing type. What Idoknow is that you are worthy of love.”
Isla let out a watery chuckle and wiped her cheeks. “I have a lot to learn. The abilities you listed alone were rather extensive.”
“You can ask me anything; you know that. I’m an open book.”
“Mm-hmm ... which is why I only found out yesterday that you are an Aetherian.”
Juliette winced just as a loud knock echoed through the apartment.
“Saved by the bell!” she said as she scurried off to open the door.
Isla chuckled. Juliette opened the door just as Isla wiped away the last of her tears from her cheeks and stood to clear the breakfast dishes. All this laughing and crying malarkey was really messing up her composed persona.
She heard Juliette’s enthusiastic “Good morning!” as Andrew came through the door.
Isla’s stomach twisted as he entered, so she tried to look calm as she rinsed out the teapot.
“May I present to you, Andrew,” Juliette announced with theatrical flair, “our very own Terra Summoner.”
Andrew smiled at her, his eyes twinkling with some unreadable thought. “Terra Summoner ... like I said last night, it was a natural outcome. None of us are too surprised that the botanist turned out to be Terra.”
His tone was light, his reasoning again logical, but something in his gaze—quiet and knowing—unsettled Isla. There was too much understanding there.
“Come and see,” Juliette said eagerly, grabbing his hand and dragging him toward Isla’s bedroom.
Andrew gave a low whistle as he stepped into her now jungle of a bedroom. She joined them, looking at the indoor greenhouse.
“Well, Isla,” he said, eyes scanning the riot of leaves and blossoms, “you might be a late bloomer—but you’re certainly not lacking in power.”
