He turned, brows raised.
“You make sure to carve out some time for your aunt, you hear me?”
“Yes, sir,” he said, flashing another dazzling smile before leaving.
“Wow, he’s…” I started, not really sure how to describe the new addition.
“A bundle of energy. Been that way since the day he was born.”
“Is he always that… happy?”
“He is,” Myron said with a smile so broad the corners of his eyes creased. “Most genuine soul I’ve ever met, and kind to a fault.”
I mulled that over, not really sure how to respond.
“Go and join them,” he urged. “Tarrin is doing as well as can be expected right now, and although Kaelun lacked tact, he’s right—your friend isn’t going anywhere.”
Sighing, I squeezed Tarrin’s hand before giving my thanks to Myron.
Popping out of the sound barrier I was instantly warmed by unabashed laughter filling the room, all of them unable to contain themselves at something Kaelun said. Not wanting to break the moment, I leaned against the doorframe, taking them in.
It was strange seeing them this way; at ease, not a care in the world. This was their family, by blood and choice, and without question I knew love bound them more than blood ever could. An unencumbered love I’d never known. The way they joked and teased one another made me ache for simpler times—for the carefree moments when I tilted by head up and laughed without restraint. Only Eithan had pulled that out of me. Wait, hadn’t Endymion done it once too? I rubbed a palm against my chest, the ache intensifying now that my power seemed to flow more freely.
“Hey, come join us,” Kaelun called once he spotted me.
Pushing off the doorjamb, I joined them, taking a seat on the far left that felt the head chair. By the time I settled, so had the moment, a strained timbre filling the space.
“All right,” I said, addressing them as one. “Who’s going to explain to me what an unara is, how Kaelun knows my powers better than I do, and why you chose him as my private guard instead of someone more qualified?”
“Hey! I’m qualified,” he objected.
I raised a brow at him, indicating I thought it unlikely.
“Unara,” Caius started, drawing my attention away from a sulking Kaelun, “is a rare manifestation of elemental powers that has begun to increase since you were born. Kaelun is the first to manifest two, both of which are invaluable given the circumstance, which is why I called him into my service early.”
“I’ve scoured dozens of tomes, and not a single one mentioned an unara,” I countered.
“They wouldn’t,” Artton said. “Unaric abilities are categorized as militant weapons, which are classified.”
“He’s considered a militant weapon?” I said with a raised brow, waving a hand in his general direction.
Sidrick’s smirk was so smug it had me reassessing the situation. “Go ahead, little brother, show her.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice.” Kaelun bounced up from his chair to face me. “Daggers are your favorite, yeah?”
I nodded, my eyes narrowing as I watched his every move.
“Bam,” he said, and at least two dozen blades appeared on the table.
Eyes wide, I reached over to grab one, then stopped feeling unsure. “Are they safe to touch?”
“Not if you grab it by the pointy end,” he laughed.
Rolling my eyes, I plucked the dagger closest to me off the table. There was nothing special about it, at least ornamentally, but something about it was… familiar. I focused my senses on that sensation, my training with Thaddeus kicking in.
My eyes bulged as I realized what it was. “Your essence—it’s in the blades. Pulses to your heartbeat. They’re a physical manifestation of your power. Stars,thisis your manifestation of earth, isn’t it?”
“Cool, huh?”
