Maps and books are strewn across the large table dominating the room. Seren and Therion are bent over a particularly large map, deep in discussion.I suppose it’s nice to see them not verbally sparring with one another for a change. Merrik and Ronyn are thumbing through worn books, folding pages and jotting down notes. Kael, ever composed, stands at the head of the table, his presence commanding even in the midst of the clutter. And then there’s Jax.Fucking Jax. Of course she’s here. She leans against the wall, arms crossed, her sharp gaze flicking between the group.
Kael looks up first, his lips curving into a sly smile. “Good morning, Duskae. I was just telling everyone about the night we had.”
My heart stutters, and I freeze in the doorway, horror coursing through me. “Youwhat?”
He raises a brow, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “The alley fight,” he clarifies, his voice teasing. “Remember? You were brilliant.”
Relief floods me, though it’s quickly replaced by irritation, especially as I notice the small half-smirk on his face. “Of course,” I mutter, stepping fully into the room, and throw him a look that could kill. “What else would you be talking about?”
Therion chuckles, obviously not fooled by Kael’s loadedstatements, and Seren shoots Kael a look that’s equal parts exasperated and amused.
My irritation quickly gives way to overwhelming discomfort as I look around the simple yet elegant room filled with people I consider to be family, and those that are becoming more significant in my life the further we press on.
Seren notices the change in my expression, and mirrors it back to me with her own. “What is it, El? Where did you just go?”
I swallow down the pride and self-preservation that wants to build walls around me, but I fight it, and offer a truly honest answer. “I just... none of you need to do this. It's an unnecessary risk. And it’s not even your fight. I can’t walk away from this butyoucan,” my voice rises an octave, belying my composure that’s hanging by a thread.
It’s Ronyn who steps forward, gaze penetrating into my soul. He shoves the book aside, pacing. His fists clench. When he speaks, his voice is hoarse with something deeper than anger—grief.
“El, fuck that. And fuck the King and his merry band of dim-witted nobles and his Royal Guard without minds of their own. They’ve cast out an entire population of great people because of how the Stars were shaped when they were born. Fuckthat,” he spits the words with a venom I’ve never heard from him.
Of course I know he cloaks his vulnerability in humor, but hearing his seething rage in front of everyone hits me differently. “You are an essential part of restoring balance, however the Stars see fit to actually do that. I may not be Starborn, but I know injustice when I see it. I’m sick of starving, fighting and stealing my way through life,” his voice cracks on the last word, and it almost snaps the tight leash I’m keeping on my tears. “I’m sick of not wanting to get attached to anyone for fear of them fucking dying. I’m sick of watching children fend for themselves in the streets. There is no way I’m leaving this fight... oryou,” Ronyn seethes, his breathing ragged.
“Yeah, El. Fuck that!” Seren agrees, and all eyes in the room turn to her, yet again surprised by her boldness.
Seren’s voice is steadier than I’ve ever heard it. Fierce. Loyal to the bone. “You are my family. You could not keep me awayfrom this for all the coin in the realms.” Her expression shifts, some cheek appearing in the wake of her intensity, “Plus, you need me. I’m the most well-read person in this room, and I can hear the walls talking, remember?” I huff a laugh, sniffing. Hearing her conviction warms me—Seren has always doubted her contribution and skill, and has thought herself nothing more than a burden.
“We’ve all made our choice, Elyssara, and we all have different reasons for being here. We’re not going anywhere,” Therion’s stable presence and directness cut through my doubts and hesitations. Somehow having him committed to this cause—the least likely and the most disagreeable of everyone in the room, save perhaps, for Jax—strengthens my resolve, a tenderness flooding through me at his unmistakable confidence in this. Inme.
It was not long ago that Therion thought all of us useless, burdensome weights that he would begrudgingly have to save. His conviction now shows me that something has changed. Something has shifted in Therion’s commitment, in his stake in this—and I can’t help but feel relieved by that.
“Come on, El,” Seren wraps her arm around my shoulder and directs me to the table she’s been working at. “We’ve been trying to narrow down the location of the next relic, based on the next part of the prophecy,” Seren says, gesturing to the old parchment with my mother’s handwriting and a map.
“On starlit peaks where the heavens sigh,
The compass rests ‘neath the watcher’s eye.”
Seren recites the words. “The Watcher’s Eye is key,” she adds.
“The constellation?” I ask, moving closer.
Seren nods, her excitement palpable. “It’s more than that. It’s notjusta constellation. The Watcher’s Eye represents truth, and it can only be seen from the highest peak in Aevryn. Legend says the sighing winds that sweep the peak carry truths for those brave enough to listen.”
Her words hang in the air, heavy with meaning.Truth. It’s aconcept I’ve spent my life avoiding, and the idea of facing it—of it being unavoidable—makes my chest tighten.
“That sounds truly daunting, to be honest,” I murmur.
“Says the soon-to-be-strongest magical wielder in all of Aevryn and the prophesied savior of the realms,” Ronyn barks a laugh.
I wave a dismissive hand at him, unwilling to share about the lamp I just accidentally turned to dust while trying to stretch my arms.If only they knew I could be undone by a lamp.
“The sighing winds?” Kael’s voice penetrates the levity, it’s calm, but I don’t miss the flicker of intensity in his expression.
“Yes,” Seren continues. “They’re said to reveal the deepest truths to those who climb the peak. It’s why the compass resides there. Only those willing to face their truth can claim it,” Seren speaks with authority, before adding, “Or at least, that’s my running theory based on pulling information from these books.” Seren taps a pile of books that towers from the floor to her waist. “I just need to pinpoint the highest peak and the precise location we can see The Watcher’s Eyefromthat peak. According to this book,” she taps the book Ronyn is thumbing through, “there is only one ridge on one mountain where we can meet that criteria.” Seren counts it out on her fingers, “We can see the constellation, we can hear the sighing winds, and we are also standing at the highest peak in Aevryn... oh! And we also will have to see it at night—starlit peaks and all, you know?”
Oh, only a few small requirements, then.
“Where in the Stars did you get all of these books, anyway?” Looking around at the guest room that appears to be in the throes of transforming into a library.
