“A containment dome?” Dyna had first seen one when her Lady Samira invoked one, and recently when Lucenna used it to protect them from Elon’s spell.
“It’s a powerful shield,” Lucenna explained. “Domes have many uses from entrapment, offenses, and defenses. It also mutes sound from inside out. This way, we can speak freely without waking the others.”
“Oh.” Dyna frowned, not sure why that was necessary.
“You will soon see why we need it.” Lucenna pulled forward the pulsing orb and set it on top of a stack of books. She stared at it, her eyebrows pinching together in concentration. A haze formed into a swirl inside of the crystal orb, illuminating with white light. It cleared away like steam on water, and the image of a man appeared.
The vantage point of Lucien was off, with a view of his face and neck from below. Dark fabric shrouded the edges of the image. From the angle, Dyna realized he was holding his orb in the crook of his arm.
Sunlight shone over his long white hair that flowed to his chest and the dark blue robes he wore. Lucien stood by a bookshelf. His slender hand pulled on the spines before returning them in place.
“Good morrow,” Lucien said, analyzing the cover of a book he was considering. “Pardon if I disturbed you. I was calling merely to wake you. I didn’t expect you to answer.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t. I thought I’d have a conversation with my brother, but it seems he is much too preoccupied now,” Lucenna said with false sadness.
In response, his mouth curved. “I have some time before the morning assembly.”
“What are you searching for?”
He frowned at a book and put it back. “A reference tome on horology magic.”
“Venturing into the advanced arts, I see. Wasn’t it you who said not to meddle with time?”
“I’m not meddling. Horology is the subject of today’s lecture,” Lucien said as he reached for another thick volume. “Are you doing well?”
“Yes, thank you.” Lucenna took a breath and said with sudden seriousness. “I have a confession, Lucien. You’re right. I have been keeping things from you. Once you see, I’m sure you will understand.”
Lucien’s playful smirk fell when he glanced at them, spotting Dyna right away. Pushing the book back on the shelf, he raised the orb. He was as striking as his sister, but his jaw was more angular, his cheekbones more prominent. Lucien kept his white hair neat and braided in rows above his ears. A knot formed between the white brows above his clear, lilac eyes as he studied her in surprise.
Dyna gave him a shy curtsy.
He nodded politely. “Lucenna, will you do me the kindness of explaining?”
She grinned. “Dear brother, it’s a pleasure to present to you a sorceress born of one of the fabled sanctuaries. This is Dynalya Astron, a direct descendent of Azeran Astron.”
Lucien’s eyes grew wide before his image fell out of view. There was a loud smash of glass, and the dark image shattered before Lucenna’s orb became clear. She dropped her face in her hands, and her whole body shook with boisterous laughter. Now Dyna understood the reason for the dome. The commotion would have woken the others.
“What happened?”
“He dropped his orb!” Lucenna wheezed, smacking the desk. She laughed a good while before she composed herself. Her face was red as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “For once, I got the better of my ever-poised brother. He must be excited.”
“Excited?”
“According to our history, Azeran died in the war. People like us who hope for change wondered if the legend that he escaped was true. Lucien was one of those believers. He greatly admires Azeran, so to know that you exist is a dream come true.”
Dyna blushed. “I see, but he broke his orb. How will he communicate with you now?”
“Lucien has several.” She laughed. “He’s broken his fair share of orbs. I’m sure he is simply regaining his composure before he contacts me again.” No sooner had Lucenna said it, her orb pulsated with light. She tapped it, and Lucien’s image appeared. He’d moved to a new spot now, sitting in front of a window with the morning light shining on his face.
Lucien openly stared at Dyna, observing her in awe for a long stretch of quiet. They began speaking at the same time, then awkwardly laughed.
Clearing his throat, he tipped his head. “It’s a great honor to meet a sorceress from Azeran’s line and one so beautiful.”
Lucenna snickered behind her hand.
Dyna bit her lip, her cheeks heating. How could he call her beautiful when he looked like an artist had sculpted his face?
“Oh, thank you,” she said, surprised by his immediate acceptance. “You’re the first to believe the claim.”
