Icould’vesworn I saw Aurora’s bottom lip quiver as I spoke, but when I glanced her way, her lips were tightly pressed together. And when she responded, her voice was clear.
“I’ll consider it. You’ve given me a lot to think about today, Viva.”
I frowned slightly at the lack of a solidanswer, butnodded as we walked until we stepped outside into the sunlight. The sky above was a soft, midday blue and speckled with white, puffy clouds. There were guards milling about, though when they caught sight of me, they quickly found themselves occupied.
It was almost enough to bring a smile to my face.
Almost.
“Ready to get up there?” I asked, still peering up at the sky.
“Beat you to it,” Aurora said, and when I turned back to face her, her feet were already off the ground as she hovered about twice my height in the air, her wings pumping steadily.
“Even with a headstart, I can still beat you to the den,” I pronounced, mentioning our destination—where my griffin was.
“Let’s see if you’re right or not,” she challenged, a small smile playing on her lips—though it had a sad undertone to the expression.
Deciding to let itgo forright then, I leapt into the sky and flew after Aurora—who had, indeed, gotten a headstart.
***
After spending hours helping Ezra teach Margo about the differentziriliumin an alcove of The Haven’s library, I was exhausted. Ithadn’toccurred to me before then why Ezra had requested my presence specifically until the topic of study came up. Then, I spent the next few hours giving demonstrations of differentzirilium—and explaining the ones thatweren’tsafe to do while indoors, surrounded by flammable items and otherfae. Margo had been disappointed when she realized shewouldn’tget to see my lightning up close, butshe’dunderstood well enough—after making me promise to show her another time.
Night had fallen overCairnylover an hour ago.I’dtold Ezra and Margo earlier in our studies that I had dinner plans, but time had slipped through our fingers faster than we could try to catch it. Once we realized how late it was, I had to excuse myself as I apologized profusely.
Only as I turned the corner into the royal wing of The Haven did I allow myself to slow my pace from a near-run to a brisk walk. Aurora’s chambers were at the other end of the corridor, but I took the opportunity to smooth my hair down and tame my bangs as I walked.
The wing was quieter than I’d expected, but considering it was nighttime, maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised. Perhaps everybody else was feeling the exhaustion, too.
As I passed by the lounge room that Quinn, Byn, and Rayven had exited earlier in the day, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. I knew Quinn had shut it firmly behind her, but it was always possible that Byn or Rayven had visitedagain, andhadn’tbeen quite as careful. Taking the liberty to protect whatever Quinndidn’twant to reveal inside, I reached over and slid the door shut beforecarrying ondown the corridor.
Stopping in front of Aurora’s door, I knocked the familiar pattern of the Valwain.
“Aurora, it’s me. Are you ready for dinner?” I called out when she didn’t immediately answer the door.
When the moment stretched on,withsilence the only thing greeting me from the other side of the door, Igrewnervous thatshe’ddecided against dinner. Focusing a thread of my energy toward one of thesun stoneson my gloved hand, I channeled that into the stone of the floor beneath me. I reached out through that earthy material, feeling throughout the chambers on the other side of the door.
And came up empty.
“Aurora, I’m coming in,” I announced as I reached for the handle—only for it to be locked. I bit my lip in a moment of contemplation before I funneled more energy into a moon stone. Holding out a hand to the lock, I froze it and the surrounding area, then backed up. I was suddenly gratefulI’ddecided on trousers today as in one swift motion I kicked the door in, the lock and ice shattering as one.
What I saw on the other side of the door made my stomach drop to the floor.
The room was empty.
Aurorawasn’tthere,nor were anyof herbelongings. The one bagshe’darrived with was gone, along with its contents. The dresses and other itemsI’dgiven her in her time with us, though, were folded and organized neatly on the perfectly made bed. Stepping closer, my anxiety spikedwhenI saw a folded paper atoponeyellow dress.
And it had my name scrawled on the outside in Aurora’s handwriting.
Aviva,
If you’re reading this, you’ve alreadyfound that I’ve left.
Idon’thave a better reason than the fact that he needs me, Viva.You’regone, your father is gone, andI’mall he has left. If I stay gone, too, what then?
Please don’t hate me when you discover all I’ve done.
But in the end, you have everything you ever wanted.It’s his turn to get what he wants.
