Ayla had moured them to the outskirts of Borealia, in the middle of inhospitable yew woods that most beings avoided unless they fancied accidentally stepping on dense needles hidden amongst the fresh, fluffy snow. More than half of their boots were covered in the warm, Cardinal-red snow one could only find in the North Petal.
While the sound of their footsteps echoed in the stillness, Ayla inhaled deeply, letting the scent of this brutal nature invade her.
“Lost and found at the same time,” she replied with a sigh. She kneeled enough to grab a handful of this unique, non-melting snow, shaping it into a ball. It was a shame she couldn’t see its bright redness anymore, as it was always striking against the dark trunks and the usual pale, cloudy sky above. “Foundbecause it’s the first time I am in this Petal and feel like I know what I want, what I don’t want, and what I will fight for. Lost because I don’t know what to expect from my parents, or how they will feel about my…many changes.”
When Ayla stood up, her foot got tangled in a branch buried under the snow, and Nina’s hand was under her elbow before she could trip over. “Careful there, the nature of your Petal isn’t the most welcoming.”
Ayla lacked her eyes, yet she had gained senses she hadn’t even felt until the day she lost her sight. The contact of Nina’s gentle hand and the closeness of her body were breathtaking, intensified, as if the entire world had focused on her presence there. Her icy mint and white blossom scent lingered in the space between them. The softness of Nina’s hair falling on the bare skin of Ayla’s arms sent goosebumps to the back of her neck. She heard Nina’s quiet gasp and how her heartbeat changed to a steady, quick rhythm. She felt the infinitesimal tension on the tips of Nina’s fingers, not letting go of her grip.
“You’re pure magic, Nina. Do you even realize that?” Ayla managed to say, resisting the temptation to approach the sweet, perfect shape of Nina’s half-open lips—lips she had dreamed of far too often, since the moment she had first seen her.
Ayla had never wished to kiss a woman before, but since Nina—full of quiet joy and honest support—had stepped into her life, every cell of Ayla’s body had felt driven towards her. Solely for her. And damn every Cardinal, but Ayla hadn’t yet found the courage to brave the risk to kiss her, to speak the truth of her feelings out loud.
Even the remote possibility of Nina feeling uncomfortable, of distancing herself from her because she didn’t want Ayla in her life in that capacity… It hurt too much to imagine not having Nina’s constant companionship and trust, so if she hadto remain distant to ensure the safety of their relationship, she would do so.
However, sometimes, when Ayla felt the reaction of Nina’s body when it got closer to hers, she couldn’t resist but wonder. What if this intense reaction wasn’t just because Nina cared about her like she cared about so many people, but because she cared about Ayla in a particular way? What if the conversations Ayla had with Nina’s dead brother, Raoul, about Nina’s love interests in the past being male were irrelevant? What if Ayla were also the one and only female love interest for Nina? What if Ayla’s dreams of a future together until their very last day weren’t as delusional as they appeared? What if, what if,what if.
Nina let out a breathless, nervous chuckle, and Ayla didn’t need to see her to feel her heated blood rushing to her cheeks, warmer than the red snow still in her hand.
“I’m the least magical of all,” Nina murmured, voice unsure and too humble for Ayla’s heart to bear.
“Maybe that’s why you’re the most extraordinary of all, Nina. In a world full of magic, you’re the only one who makes me believe there’s something even more powerful.”
Before Nina could reply, Ayla felt the familiar tickle of incoming ink arriving on her forearm. She touched the raised words on her skin, not needing to see the light orange color of her mother’s ink to recognize her handwriting.
Ayla had received her inks multiple times over the past few months, always wanting information on her whereabouts and safety, yet never asking the same about Lenna. As usual, Veronica Brachyan’s words didn’t mention Ayla’s twin sister at all. This time they just read:
20
Lenna
Who Lenna didn’t expect to find in the rose gardens of the East House was Arabella fucking D’Arcy, Jake’s ex-lover and the panom who had taught Lenna how to use her magical powers simultaneously a few weeks ago.
Lenna approached her from behind, making a not-so-conscious effort for her high heels to resonate against the pavement, partly fueled by her genuine shock and suspicion.
Arabella’s blond, long hair waved as she turned her svelte body around majestically. “Well, well, well. Look who woke up early today.” Her green, clever eyes did not seem one bit surprised.
“Out of all places in Thyria, I must confess I was not expecting to find you here.” If there was a time and place in which Lenna was meant to be thankful for what Arabella had taught her, it would not be here nor now.
Arabella laughed briefly, the sound as sharp as the thorns of the roses around them. “Where did you expect to find me? Drowned in the Radel Sea?” Was it truly necessary for someone to grin showing every single white tooth so early in the day? Was it mandatory for someone’s skin to be so immaculate?
Lenna put the tip of her index finger on her lips. “Perhaps? To be honest, we didn’t really have time to waste wondering where you could have gone once the sangins started attacking us.” The image of Sasha and Brendon glimpsed in her mind. They could have done with the help of another panom fighting aboard the navia, but Lenna was not going to admit that.
“Survival instinct has taken many people very far, darling.” Surely the patronizing tone in Arabella’s voice was enough to justify Lenna ripping her tongue out. “Experience teaches you to pick your battles. Fighting an army of a Queen? Excuse my manners, but it’s not a battle I’m willing to pick.”
“So here you are.” The forced smile on Lenna’s lips felt tight.
“Here I am.” Arabella smiled, fluttering long eyelashes.
Fuck, she was going to make Lenna ask. And Lenna was too worried about what reason had brought this woman to this House, when she belonged to the South House. Especially since the reason was most definitely silver-eyed and very muscled.
So Lenna bloody asked. “Have you lost anything here?”
Arabella snorted softly. “Other than my time? Not really.”
“Is that so?” Lenna’s golden eyes narrowed slightly, despite her significant effort at keeping her face expressionless.
“Indeed. For your information, there is still something inside him. It might not be love, but he is not as cold about you as he wants to sell.”
