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"That sounds more interesting."

"It wasn't." A pause. "He wouldn't let us touch any of them."

"Probably wise."

"He said if we can't identify them from sight, we have no business touching them."

"That also sounds wise."

She makes a face. "I know. I hate when he's right."

I laugh. "Soren always seems right."

"It's exhausting."

"I'll trade you."

She shakes her head. "No thank you. You can keep Mr.Sunshine."

"I haven't even told you what Sky Wing is doing." I frown.

"I already know." She points toward the western cliffs where students carrying training weapons are beginning to gather. "Corvell."

"Corvell." I whisper.

Cassian catches up with us outside the dining hall. His dark blue Tide Wing training jacket is folded over one shoulder. He looks annoyingly well-rested. "You both look terrible." Nyra snorts.

I sigh. "Tide Wing?"

He looks offended. "We meditated."

I snort. "You're joking."

"I wish."

Nyra laughs. "No, seriously."

Cassian rubs a hand across his face. "An hour."

I blink. "Doing what?"

"'Connecting to the current beneath our magic.'"

"...Did you?"

"No."

"What did you connect with?" Nyra asks.

"My left foot fell asleep."

Nyra bursts into laughter. Even I can't help smiling. For a moment the weight of hidden archives, missing journals and impossible questions fades. Not disappears. Just...Waits.

We part outside the training grounds. Cassian heads toward the eastern cliffs where Tide Wing gathers. Nyra waves before disappearing beneath the canopy leading toward the fae gardens. "Don't let Corvell kill you." She calls.

"I'll do my best."

"If he does..." Cassian adds, "I'm taking your history notes."