Nymon’s bedroom looked strange still covered in plants from last night.Nymon brushed them with his fingertips as he passed, thinking about what would happen to them when he was gone.They’d die without care, but maybe he could give them a fighting chance.He didn’t know if his magic would be strong enough, but if last night and today had shown him anything, it was that he was stronger than he could’ve ever thought.
He grabbed a bag from his closet and started throwing in essentials like clothes and the small box of things that had belonged to his mother.His hands shook as he worked, but he was thinking.
“Nymon.”
He turned to find Kael standing in the doorway, his expression determined despite the fear Nymon could see in his expression.
“I’m coming with you,” Kael said.
Nymon froze.“What?”
“I’m coming with you.”Kael’s voice was steadier.“To the outside world.Wherever you’re going, I’m going too.”
“Kael, no.”Nymon set down the bag, moving toward his best friend.“You hate the idea of leaving Starhaven.You’ve always been afraid of what’s out there, and that’s okay.Just because I’m going doesn’t mean you have to.We’ll call each other every day, I promise.”
“I’m terrified,” Kael interrupted.“But you’re my best friend.I’m not letting you leave without me.”
Nymon felt his throat tighten.“Kael.”
“Plus, that Ridge guy keeps looking at me.”Kael’s cheeks flushed.“He looks at me the way Tex looks at you.And I don’t understand it, but I think that maybe there’s a reason I need to go that’s not just following you.”
“Are you sure?”Nymon asked.“Because once we leave, we’re not coming back anytime soon.”
“I’m sure.”Kael’s jaw set, and Nymon knew he wouldn’t change his mind, no matter how scared he was.“Finish packing.I need to grab some things from my place.”
“You have five minutes,” Nymon warned.“Maybe less.”
Kael nodded and disappeared back down the hallway.Nymon heard him talking to someone, then the sound of the front door opening and closing quickly.
Nymon turned back to his packing, moving faster now.Another bag for toiletries.His favorite mug that had been his father’s.The small knife he used in the yard sometimes.A jacket.His favorite boots.
It wasn’t enough.How could he fit an entire life into two bags?
“Nymon.”Tex appeared in the doorway.“We need to go.Now.”
Nymon grabbed his bags, taking one last look around his bedroom.“I’m ready,” he lied.
They moved back into the main room where Orlando and Seymour were waiting by the door.Ridge was pacing, and Nymon was surprised to see him there.He’d thought Ridge had gone with Kael.
“Kael’s coming with us,” Nymon declared.
Ridge’s expression flickered with something intense.“Good.”
Nymon had no idea what was going on there, but he didn’t have the time to worry about it.The front door burst open, and Kael stumbled through, breathing hard, clutching a bag to his chest.“People are coming up the main path.At least six of them.”Luckily for him, he lived just a few cottages over.
“Everyone, touch me,” Seymour ordered, already moving to the center of the room.“I’ll shimmer us to the shield.”
But Nymon couldn’t leave like this.He couldn’t leave his home and its plants vulnerable to whoever the elders had sent to search it.“Wait.”He put down his bags and moved to the center of the room, pressing his palms to the floor.He was exhausted, but he had enough left for this.He had to.
“Nymon, we don’t have time—” Tex started.
“I need to do this.”Nymon closed his eyes and reached deep, pulling on every reserve of magic he had.He called to the plants throughout his home, from the ones in pots to the ones in the greenhouse.
The plants responded, and they listened to Nymon when he promised them that he’d be back.He didn’t know how long it would take him, but he would, and when he did, he’d take care of them.For now, he used his magic to protect both the house and his plants, and he prayed it would be enough to keep intruders out and keep his plants alive.
When he finally released the magic, he swayed.Tex caught him easily before he could brain himself.
“Easy,” his mate murmured.“I’ve got you.”
