“Because I’m not in the mood to talk,” she snapped.
“My, you’re in quite the snit. What happened? I felt a torrent of your Essence yesterday. It felt … different.”
Lucenna stiffened. “Nothing happened. Stop worrying about me.”
“I’ll always worry about you,” Lucien said, the timbre of his words saddening.
Lucenna slumped in her chair, giving Dyna a better view of the glowing orb. Its once clear core was now cloudy with color. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“What happened?” he repeated. “Tell me.”
“I … I was thinking of mother.”
Her mother? That’s not what had caused the surge, but Dyna understood why Lucenna wouldn’t want to tell him the truth.
“Don’t torture yourself over it,” Lucien said, believing the excuse. “Her death wasn’t your fault.”
“Let’s not speak of it. I’ll contact you once I reach the Port of Azure.”
“Why do I sense you’re not telling me everything, Lu?”
“Every lady has her secrets,” she said. With a wave of her hand, the orb became clear again.
“Lucenna?” Dyna called.
Purple light sparked at Lucenna’s fingertips as she whirled in her seat, eyes glowing with a jolt of power that clashed against Dyna’s Essence. Once she recognized her, the electrical feeling faded.
“Oh, you’re here.” Lucenna rubbed her forehead. Her hair fell in messy waves. She wore a black chemise, the thin straps dangling on her arms. “Were you listening?”
“Yes, sorry.”
“I don’t mean to lie to him,” she said, shrugging. “I had to tell him something so he would stop pestering me. We can sense each other when our emotions are agitated. It happens with mage twins. I can’t control it as well as Lucien can. He’s aware of me most of the time. It’s maddening.”
Dyna tried not to think about how much that reminded her of her link with Cassiel.
Lucenna went to her bed, throwing herself over the rumpled bedding. She stretched like a lazy cat and nestled into her pillows, closing her eyes. “Is it morning?”
“It’s midday,” Dyna replied sheepishly.
The sorceress groaned. “If you need something, expect little from me today. I plan to lounge and enjoy some rest.”
“I’ve come to say we decided to join you at the fjord.”
“Hmm,” she replied sleepily. “Splendid.”
Dyna bit her lip. She wanted to ask about magic, and Magos, and other things she hadn’t had the chance to ask. To meet a Lunar sorceress … she couldn’t help but feel awestruck.
Taking in the tent, she observed the many books stacked on the floor and the crystals on the ceiling. Scrolls and other relics kept the orb company on Lucenna’s desk. Beside it rested an item Dyna hadn’t expected to find.
“It’s his.” Lucenna peeked at her through her long, white lashes. “Your Celestial’s.”
Your Celestial’s.
Dyna stared at the silky black feather. With how defensive Cassiel was about his feathers, the sorceress couldn’t have possibly found it. Did he give it to her? When? Why would he give such a thing to a stranger when he refused to let her get near them?
Lucenna sat on her bed. “It was a trade. He gave it to me in exchange for a tracking spell.”
Dyna glanced at her questioningly.
