“Oh, it was easy actually. Therion and I broke into Galreth’s library last night,” Seren states matter-of-factly.
My eyes flick to Ronyn in question—he’s usually her loyal protector—and he shrugs with nonchalance. “Our little girl is growing up, El. She’s drinking ale, speaking of cocks and now she breaks into libraries. Sacred libraries of all things!” He feigns shock with the last words, before breaking out into laughter he has quite obviously been trying to contain.
The whole room tries to stifle their own laughs before giving in to raucous laughter that warms my heart, despite the stakes on the line in front of us. Seren’s face burns bright red, clearly mortified by the crass—and entirely honest—teasing from Ronyn.
“Ronie!” she gasps in admonishment.
Therion’s brow rises. “Well, I knew about the ale and the library, but the other part... you are quite the intriguing woman, aren’t you?” His comment is intended in jest, but something about him referring to Seren as a woman, rather than a girl, hangs in the air. It’s the first time he’s done so, and we all notice it. And obviously so does Seren, as a small smile breaks free on her face.
“Yes. I would say that Iama very intriguing woman,” she stands a little taller, accepting the compliment in earnest.
Therion clears his throat, trying to dismiss the loaded moment. “Anyway, that’s all well and good about the theory for the compass, but we’ll need to get to the peak. There’s a storm rolling in. We can’t leave Galreth until it passes, no matter which direction we’re going.”
“We’ll use the time to prepare,” Kael says decisively. “We’ll secure the plan and the route, acquire horses, food, supplies. And...” His gaze shifts to me. “Elyssara needs training.”
I stiffen. “Training?”
Kael moves closer to me, leaning into my ear. In a hushed voice meant only for me, “Your magic responds to your emotions, Elyssara. Your skin glowed bright enough to light up the entire room when you came last night, beautiful. We need you to be able to control it.”
Mortification floods me.Oh my fucking Stars.
“Your magic is unstable, and it responds to... heightened emotions,” he says so the room can hear. “You need control, or it will control you.”
Well, that was a diplomatic way to say it.
“And you know someone who can help, I’m assuming?” I ask, though I already know the answer.
Jax steps forward, her boots echoing softly against the wooden floor. The room stills as if her presence alone demands it. Her voiceis cool and measured, but it cuts through the air like a blade. “I’m a Luminaar. Controlling chaos is my thing.”
Great. She’s fluent in chaos.
A Luminaar. I’ve heard whispers of them from the past—rare, dangerous, and almost mythical in their power. My stomach twists, unsure if I’m about to gain an ally or face a new kind of chaos.
The tension in the air could be cut with a blade.
I have a feeling this will not be fun.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
ELYSSARA
Apparently,I’m going training with Jax...right now. Kael escorts me back to my room, where he instructs me to change into my fighting leathers and the new boots he left in place of my barely held together ones. The memory of him delicately removing those boots last night flashes through my mind, stirring something I can’t quite name—desire? Trust? Warmth? Perhaps all of those?
Now that we’re alone, an intensity crackles between us. The playfulness of the group fades, replaced by something raw and focused. Our eyes meet briefly, then dart away, as though pretending we both don’t feel this. Whateverthisis.
Kael breaks the silence with that infuriating half-smirk. “Did you have a fight with the lamp this morning, El?”
I sigh, already regretting the confession. “Unexpectedly, yes. I was... thinking about last night. Probably a result of that whole heightened emotions thing.” I look away, heat creeping into my cheeks.
“Every Starborn has been there, El. Controlling magic as strong as yours isn’t simple, nor is it easy. Jax will help a lot with that.” His words are meant to reassure me, but the mention of Jax only tightens the knot of unease in my stomach.
I slip behind the changing partition, my heart pounding as I pick up the leathers. The soft, supple material feels inviting and unyielding under my fingers, a perfect blend of elegance and resilience. “So,” I call over my shoulder, “what exactlyisa Luminaar? I’ve heard stories of their power but don’t know the specifics. I actually thought they were a myth.”
Kael clears his throat. “Luminaars don’t have magic of their own. They alchemize what they borrow—reshape it, bend it. They're not the strongest in any one kind, but they’re fluent in them all. That’s what makes Jax a brilliant trainer—she understands magic better than anyone alive.”
I tug on the pants, their tailored fit hugging my legs as though made for me alone. “How does that even happen? What constellation was Jax born under?” My voice carries more irritation than curiosity.
“Luminaars are born from bloodlines, not constellations, Duskae. There’s more to magic than what you were taught in Virellin. Jax is the last known Luminaar. She knows how to control the chaos of every constellation.”
