“Kara – what–” he began, worried.
“I love that.”
I could get used to that look on her face.
Sebastian thought they were having a moment, but it lasted for all of about five seconds before the energy practically exploded out of her.
“Oh, we have to test this some more,” she burst out, squirming out from under him and springing to her feet, her eyes darting to the door.
“Oh no,” Sebastian said, exasperated. “Whatever you’re thinking, the answer’s no.”
She only grinned wider. “Come on. Let’s take this outside.”
He groaned, but swung himself off the bed, grabbed the satchel with the Shards – he didn’t trust leaving them unattended here – and followed her out into the morning light. Predictably, the first thing she reached for was his sword, propped by the door.
Give her Thorne strength for five minutes and suddenly she thinks she can handle a blade.
“Absolutely not.” He plucked it from her hands and fastened it to his hip. “The last thing I need is you swinging this around in front of half of Aeterna.”
Kara pouted even as she practically skipped down the path. “Possessive?” she jibed.
“Of my blade? Absolutely.”
She raised an eyebrow at him.
“You don’t touch a Thorne man’s sword,” he said defensively.
Kara laughed cheekily. “Is that a rule?”
“It’stherule,” he said, shifting his hip out of her reach as he walked.
“Is that right? And what happens if I do?”
He gripped the hilt tightly. “Try it and find out.”
“Ooooh, I’m so scared,” she laughed as she laced her fingers around his free hand.
A few Fatàn townspeople passing by slowed, smiling at them. It was as if they already knew exactly what the two of them had discovered. Kara flushed, but the sound of her laughter only grew louder, and Sebastian felt it flare in his chest until he almost smiled himself. Almost.
Veyra appeared at the entrance to the library, watching them closely – Kara still practically bouncing with joy and Sebastian fighting a smile at her side – then she nodded, hope lighting her face.
Sebastian stepped forward. “You didn’t tell us our magic would do this.” Emerald sparks leapt from his hand, proving his point.
Veyra’s face split into that infuriating, knowing smile. “I thought you’d enjoy discovering that part for yourselves. Your magic is a part of you,” she said, her gaze flicking between them. “Now it is a part of each other.”
Kara laughed again, clearly unable to help herself. “Enjoy? He nearly had a heart attack!” She squeezed Sebastian’s hand. “I, on the other hand, am having thebestmorning.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes.
Veyra looked between them, amused, something fond in her expression. Then her gaze sharpened, falling to the satchel at Sebastian’s hip. Something else present in her now. Urgency.
“The bond has settled,” Veyra said. “The Shards await.”
And just like that, the playfulness drained from the morning.
Here we go.
Kara followed Veyra, Sebastian’s hand in hers. She still felt joyous and curious, whereas he looked suspicious but resigned. Veyra led them down winding streets towards a large open flatland. It looked to be a Fatàn training ground of some sort – a wide expanse with a circle of smooth stones at its centre, each etched with ancient sigils. An unspoken power hummed in the air.
