She smiled softly as they stared at each other in the reflection. Brayden’s belief in Scarlett moved her even though he thought too highly of her. She wasn’t special. All she did was work really hard.
“So you have fire because you’re special. The fire doesn’t make you special?” she asked.
“Mine’s a weird one,” he allowed. “I’m the only one in Clair de Lune with the phoenix valor. But still, if I was a dumbass with a phoenix valor, I’d be worthless. The valor is only as good as the one who wields it, is what I’m doing a bad job of explaining.”
“No—your explanation makes sense.”Kind of.There was definitely a hierarchy of some kind that he was at the top of, but she was willing to accept that personal attributes played a part too.
Brayden touched the sun lightly with his fingers, making her heart race. Even in the dim light of the underground room, it sparkled. “That golden ink—it’s unique. Yours is much prettier than James’s. You being a vox makes sense, you know. Usually, vox are persuasive and charismatic. It’s perfect for a peer in Parliament. You’ll shine like the sun.”
Scarlett remembered what James had said about being good at giving speeches. That would certainly be helpful as she worked to pass the border legislation. The visions she’d had during the valor ceremony boded well if they were any indication of what was in store now that she was a vox.
“I guess I’m a lover, not a fighter, like James said.”
Brayden’s forehead creased as he worried his lip. Was it her imagination, or did he have something on his mind?
“Are you ready to get out of here?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He put his hand on her back as they walked out of the room.
Upstairs, they thanked Gwen and departed from the temple. On the path back to the castle, Brayden and Scarlett walked side by side. The late-afternoon light filtered through the trees, as did the sounds of birds chirping. A sudden breeze made her shiver, and Scarlett was glad she’d worn fitted black pants and her favorite purple sweater, which, in addition to being warm, was covered in sparkly moons and stars.
“What’s your light’s name?” Brayden asked.
Scarlett looked up at him. “Nori. What’s yours called?”
She held out her hand to Brayden’s light, and the light came down to hover over her palm. Nori also flew to Scarlett’s hand, and the two orbs circled each other as if they were saying hello. Scarlett laughed at the sight.
“His name is Jax.” Brayden watched their lights hovering next to each other with a strange expression. “It’s a little unusual for them to get so close to each other,” he whispered. “This is also the only time I’ve had a friend meet her light when we’ve already been friends for over a decade.”
“I met Jax through the mirror,” said Nori.“We can talk through the glass just like you.”
Scarlett repeated Nori’s words out loud.
“Jax said the same thing,” said Brayden.
“It’s so fascinating that the lights are there even if you haven’t learned to see them yet.” She held her hand out for Nori, and her light came to her. “I want to know everything about them.”
“I learn new shit about Jax all the time. The lights do it on purpose—withhold lessons or information until the right moment. Jax knows it frustrates me, but he has my best interests at heart, so I try to be calm.”
Jax circled Brayden’s head rapidly, forcing him to stop walking.
Scarlett laughed at Jax’s antics. “How does Jax feel about you saying he frustrates you?”
Jax hovered over Brayden’s shoulder as they resumed walking. “He’s not surprised.” Brayden grinned. “He usually says something annoying like ‘trust divine timing’ when I’m impatient.”
“In the Forest Temple, I was told time isn’t linear.”
Nori’s bell laugh sounded in her head.“Are you going to tell him who said that?”
Quiet!thought Scarlett.
“Howwasthe Forest Temple for you? Who did you see in the mirror? Did you meet any ghosts?”
Scarlett’s heart jolted. “Who didyousee?”
He glanced her way before looking down at the path ahead. “My mam. It was incredibly sad, though I was happy to see her.”
