Chapter 33
The tension in the room shifts the moment I step inside. They’re all here – Reef leaning against the far wall as though he’s resting from hours of pacing, Bhodi sprawled in a chair like he hasn’t slept in days, Cove perched on the edge of the table, his bright smile breaking through the shadows of the conversation. And Vance, standing at the head of the room, as composed and sharp as ever, his presence commanding without effort.
All of them turn to me as I enter, and for a moment, I falter under their collective gaze. But then Cove’s smile widens, softening the intensity.
“There she is,” he says, his voice warm and easy. “We were just talking about you.”
“Good things, I hope?” I quip, stepping closer.
“Always,” he replies, and there’s a lightness in his tone that makes the corners of my mouth twitch upward, despite the weight of the last few days.
Vance clears his throat, drawing my attention. “We were just going over what Bhodi’s contact reported,” he says, gesturing to a crumpled scrap of parchment on the table.
I glance at Bhodi, who straightens in his chair and runs a hand through his dark hair. He looks worn down but resolute. “We’ve got a lead,” he says. “But it’s shaky. If we move too fast, we risk tipping off the wrong person – or worse, going after the wrong target.”
“We’ll handle it,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “But right now, we need to think bigger than just chasing shadows. Aerwyna’s my home now, but…” I pause, glancing around the room. “I need to get my things from my old home. My real home.”
The words hang in the air for a moment, and I expect resistance. Vance, ever cautious, is the first to respond.
“Malia,” he begins, his tone measured. “I understand the sentiment, but leaving Aerwyna right now isn’t just reckless – it’s dangerous. The Shadow Legion knows what’s at stake, and they’ll be watching for any sign of movement.”
“I won’t be gone long,” I counter. “I just…I need a piece of that place. Something to hold onto. To remind me of who I am and where I came from.”
“Not to mention,” Cove chimes in, his smile turning mischievous, “she’s got us to keep her safe. You really think anyone’s getting past all four of us?”
Vance’s lips press into a thin line, his gaze flicking to Reef, who gives a small nod of agreement.
“She’s right,” Reef says simply. “We can protect her.”
Bhodi leans forward, his arms resting on the table. “It’s not just about her safety. It’s about the Council. They’ll never approve her leaving Aerwyna, not now. Plus, we’re in hiding. Kinda.”
“Then we won’t tell them,” I say, the words leaving my mouth before I can think better of it.
All eyes turn to Vance. For a moment, he looks like he might argue, but then he lets out a long breath, shaking his head.
“This is a bad idea,” he mutters, pinching the bridge of his nose. “But if we’re doing this, we’re doing it my way. No Council, no approvals. I’ll open a portal, but it’ll take a couple of days to arrange. And when we go, we go together. Straight there and straight back. No detours. No risks. And no, Bhodi, we’re not in hiding. We’re keeping a low profile. The Elders know Malia has left the hospital, know she’s with you guys, and know our most likely location. We’re not hiding.”
His gaze sweeps the room, landing on each of us in turn, as if daring anyone to challenge him.
“Agreed,” I say quickly, relief washing over me. “But we are hiding something from everyone.”
Vance frowns. “We are?”
“We’re hiding you. They think you’re dead, right?”
“I didn’t think of that. I guess when the time comes, we’ll have some explaining to do, not that I know how to explain it. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Cove grins, leaning back on his hands. “Guess that means we’ve got a couple of days to kill. How about we show you around the palace some more in the meantime?”
The sudden shift in energy catches me off guard, and I can’t help but smile at the suggestion.
“That sounds…really nice actually,” I admit.
“Nice?” Cove echoes, his grin widening. “Malia, you’re going to love it. Wait until you see the gardens.”
It’s true, we’ve mostly stayed inside since we arrived, and getting some fresh air does sound nice.
“The gardens,” Bhodi scoffs, though there’s no real malice in his tone. “She needs to see the second library first. It’s the only place in this palace that doesn’t reek of politics and you know how much she loved the main one.”
Two libraries? Be still my beating heart.
“Let her pick,” Reef interjects, his voice steady. “It’s her home now, after all. She might like the private beach, though.”
The word home lingers in the air, and for the first time in days, it doesn’t feel quite so foreign.
Vance clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him. “I’ll stay here and take care of the portal,” he says, his tone brooking no argument. “You guys go. Focus on settling in here a little more. And try not to draw too much attention while we’re breaking every rule the council has.”
I nod, a flicker of gratitude warming my chest. “Thank you, Vance.”
His expression softens, just for a moment, before he turns and leaves the room.
Cove claps his hands together, his excitement infectious. “Alright, Malia. Where do you want to go first?”
I glance between them – Reef’s quiet strength, Cove’s bright enthusiasm, Bhodi’s understated warmth – and feel a surge of something I haven’t felt in far too long.
Hope.
“Let’s start with the gardens,” I say, my smile growing. “But I want to do it all. Eventually.”
Cove cheers, already halfway out the door. “You won’t regret it!”
For the first time since arriving in Aerwyna, I feel like I’m taking a step forward – not as someone who’s lost everything, but as someone who’s finally finding her place.
The gardens are a labyrinth of color and life, sprawling out behind the palace like a forgotten paradise. The scents of blooming flowers and fresh earth fill the air, mingling with the faint sound of water trickling from a nearby fountain. It’s peaceful in a way I hadn’t expected – quiet, but not empty.
Cove is already darting ahead, pointing out flowers and trees like he’s showing off his own personal masterpiece. Bhodi lingers behind, hands in his pockets, while Reef walks beside me, his pace unhurried but purposeful.
I let the sights and sounds wash over me, but it’s hard to fully relax. The weight of everything still clings to me like a shadow, no matter how beautiful the surroundings are.
“You’re quiet,” Reef says, breaking the silence between us. His voice is low, steady, like always.
“Just…taking it all in,” I reply, though we both know that’s not the whole truth.
He doesn’t press, but I can feel him studying me, his gaze heavy but not unkind. Finally, he stops walking, gesturing for me to do the same.
“Reef?” I ask, my brows furrowing as I turn to face him.
“There’s something we need to talk about,” he says, his tone serious but not harsh.
Cove jogs back over, his curiosity clearly piqued. “What’s going on?”
“Malia’s magic,” Reef says bluntly, cutting straight to the point. “We need to work on harnessing it.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. I blink at him, caught completely off guard. “What?”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while now,” he continues, glancing at Bhodi, who’s now standing nearby with a frown on his face. “The professor and I have talked about it, and after everything we’ve seen, we’re convinced that with some training, you could really hone your gift.”
My cheeks flush, but I quickly push past the embarrassment. “That was probably a fluke,” I argue, shaking my head. “It could’ve been?—”
“It wasn’t,” Reef interrupts, his voice firm. “Malia, you’re not just connected to this place because of who you are. It’s in you. And it’s time we started figuring out how to unlock it.”
I stare at him, my mind racing. Magic? In me? Yes, there’s no denying that I unleashed…something when I saved Reef. But Magic? I’m not convinced.
I’ve felt out of place in Aerwyna since I got here, but now Reef is saying this place is part of me?
Cove steps closer, his usual playfulness replaced with quiet sincerity. “Reef’s right, Mai-Tai. We wouldn’t say this if we didn’t believe it. If there’s even a chance you can access that kind of power again, it could change everything.”
My heart pounds in my chest, doubt warring with curiosity. Finally, I look at Reef. “And if I can’t? What if I try and…nothing happens?”
“Then we try again,” he says simply. “And again. Until we figure it out.”
His certainty is a steadying force, grounding me in a way I didn’t expect. I take a deep breath, nodding slowly. “Okay. Let’s try.”
The four of us find a quiet spot near a secluded fountain well sheltered and hidden within the walls of the palace gardens, where the sound of water fills the air like a soothing rhythm. Reef sits across from me, his legs folded beneath him, while Cove and Bhodi watch from nearby, giving us space but remaining close enough to help if needed.
“Close your eyes,” Reef says softly.
I hesitate, then obey, shutting out the world around me.
“Now breathe. Slow and deep. Don’t think about anything else – just focus on the sound of your breath.”
His voice is a low murmur, steady and unrelenting, guiding me through the haze of my doubts.
“Where do you feel the most at peace?” he asks after a moment.
Images flicker behind my closed eyelids – places I’ve been, moments I’ve cherished. But one image stands out above the rest.
“The ocean,” I whisper. “Always the ocean.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s constant,” I say, the words spilling out without hesitation. “It’s powerful, but calming. It feels…alive.”
“Good,” Reef says. “Hold onto that feeling. Picture it in your mind – the waves, the sound, the salt in the air. Let it fill you up.”
I do as he says, letting the memory of the ocean wash over me. It’s a strange sensation, like my body is reaching for something just out of reach.
“Now,” Reef continues, his voice dropping even lower, “imagine that power inside you. Imagine it waiting, like the waves before a storm. Can you feel it?”
For a moment, there’s nothing. Just silence and darkness. But then, deep in my chest, there’s a flicker – a spark of something warm and wild.
“Yes,” I breathe, my voice trembling.
“Good. Now let it out.”
I don’t know how, but something inside me shifts, like a door creaking open. And then it happens. A rush of energy surges through me, spilling out in a wave that ripples across the garden. The fountain beside us trembles, its water rising in a smooth arc before cascading back down in a glittering spray.
My eyes snap open, and I stare at the fountain, my heart pounding. “Did I?—”
“You did,” Reef says, a rare smile tugging at his lips.
The garden feels different now – alive in a way I hadn’t noticed before. Or maybe it’s me that’s changed. My skin still tingles from the rush of magic, my breath uneven as I sit back on the grass, staring at the fountain that just moments ago danced to my will.
“That was insane,” Cove says, his grin wide as he flops down beside me. “You should’ve seen your face, Malia. Pure badass.”
I laugh, the sound light and unrestrained, but there’s a thread of nervous energy running through me. “I still can’t believe that was me. It felt like…like it wasn’t entirely under my control.”
“It wasn’t,” Bhodi says, crossing his arms as he leans against a nearby tree. His gaze is steady, assessing. “You tapped into something powerful, but it’s raw. Untamed. You’re going to need to work on reigning it in.”
“And you’re going to help me with that?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
His lips twitch into the faintest smirk. “You’ve got three of the best teachers in Aerwyna right here. We’ll make sure you don’t blow up the place.”
Reef crouches in front of me, his expression serious. “Bhodi’s right. What you did just now was incredible, but it’s just the beginning. If you’re going to survive what’s coming, you need to learn control.”
The weight of his words presses against my chest, and I nod, determination settling in my gut. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
Cove claps his hands together, his energy as infectious as ever. “That’s the spirit! We’ll start small, work you up to the big stuff. By the time we’re done, you’ll be giving the Elders a run for their money.”
“Speaking of the Elders,” a voice says, as Vance steps out into the gardens, his expression dark. He pulls a folded piece of parchment from his pocket and hands it to Reef. “We’ve got more intel.”
Reef’s eyes narrow as he unfolds the parchment, scanning the contents quickly. His jaw tightens, and he passes it to me without a word.
The writing is rough and hurried, but the message is clear: The Shadow Legion is moving. Their target is the Keep of Ashen Falls. Expect an attack within days. Prepare accordingly.
I look up at Vance, my stomach sinking. “The Keep? That’s on the outskirts of Aerwyna. Why would they target it?”
“It’s strategic,” Vance says, pacing. He walks toward us with measured steps, his gaze sharp and calculating. “The Keep of Ashen Falls is one of the oldest magical fortresses in Aerwyna. If they take it, they’ll have access to its archives – and its defenses.”
“Then we can’t let that happen,” I say firmly.
“And we won’t,” Vance replies. “But we have to be smart about this. If the Shadow Legion is moving on the Keep, it means they’re escalating their plans. We need to be prepared for anything.”
Cove leans back on his elbows, his carefree demeanor at odds with the tension in the air. “Sounds like we’ve got a lot to do. But first, I vote we let Malia catch her breath. She just unlocked her magic deliberately for the first time – don’t you think she’s earned a little downtime?”
“Downtime isn’t an option,” Vance says, his voice hard. “Not with this kind of timeline.”
“It’s fine,” I interject, cutting off the brewing argument. “I’ll rest when we’re safe. Right now, I just need to focus and go again.”
Reef looks like he wants to argue, but something in my expression stops him. He nods, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.
“Good,” Bhodi says, pushing off the tree and gesturing for us to follow. “Then let’s get back to work.”
We return to the queen’s suite as the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows over the corridors. I should be exhausted, but there’s a strange energy humming through me, keeping me on edge.
Reef, Bhodi, and Cove didn’t let me rest. We spent hours in the garden, with them pushing me to channel my magic in controlled bursts.
“Concentrate on the feeling you had earlier,” Reef had instructed, his voice calm but firm. “The ocean. The power. Hold onto it and direct it where you want it to go.”
Which is what I’m trying to do now, sat on the sofa, back in our room. I close my eyes, breathing deeply as I picture the waves in my mind. Slowly, I extend my hand, willing the magic to respond. A soft ripple of energy flows outward, sending a stack of books on the coffee table toppling over.
“Better,” Bhodi says, his approval genuine. “But you need more precision. You can’t just knock things over – you have to aim.”
“Let’s give her a break,” Cove says, collecting and restocking the books. “She’s been at this for hours.”
“I’m fine,” I insist, wiping sweat from my brow. “One more round.”
Cove and Bhodi exchange a look, but they don’t argue. “Reef can oversee. We’re going to go and grab us all some dinner, okay?”
I nod absently, already tuning them out and focusing on the stack of books before me. I need to crack this. Whatever’s coming our way, I want to stand by their side and fight, not be a liability on the battlefield. So I take a deep breath and turn back to my training once more.
It happens when I least expect it.
Reef steps forward, taking my hands in his. His touch is warm, grounding, and I feel a rush of calm wash over me.
“Stop overthinking,” he says quietly. “Let it come to you. Feel it, Malia. Don’t fight it.”
I nod, closing my eyes once more. This time, I let myself feel everything – the fear, the hope, the determination burning in my chest. The magic answers, surging through me in a wave of warmth and light.
When I open my eyes, the training room is bathed in a soft glow. The air hums with energy, and for the first time, I feel like I’m in control.
Reef smiles, his grip on my hands tightening slightly. “That’s it. You’ve got it.”
I let out a shaky breath, my heart pounding. “I did it.”
“You did,” he says, his voice filled with quiet pride. “You have control. Now, focus on what you want to achieve and aim.”
I close my eyes again, the glow around me dimming as I steady my breathing. I picture the fountain from earlier in my mind, the smooth arc of water as it danced under my influence. Slowly, deliberately, I lift my hand and direct the magic outward.
When I open my eyes again, the books in front of me hover a few inches off the table, suspended in a shimmering aura of golden light. My heart leaps, and I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face.
“I’m doing it,” I whisper, my voice tinged with awe.
Reef chuckles softly. “Yes, you are.”
The books lower gently to the table as I release the magic, the glow fading until the room is still again. I sag slightly, a wave of exhaustion hitting me, but I can’t bring myself to care.
Reef doesn’t let go of my hands. Instead, he takes a step closer, his dark eyes fixed on mine.
“You’ve come so far already,” he says, his voice low, almost reverent.
“I couldn’t have done it without all of you,” I reply, my throat tight with emotion.
“You don’t give yourself enough credit,” he murmurs. “You have all this power, Malia, all this strength. It’s yours. It’s in you. We just helped you find it and let it out.”
His words settle over me like a warm embrace, and I realize just how close he’s standing now. The intensity in his gaze sends a shiver through me, and for a moment, I can’t look away.
“Reef...” I start, but whatever I was going to say is lost as he raises a hand to brush a strand of hair from my face.
His fingers linger against my skin, and the world seems to narrow until it’s just the two of us, the weight of everything else falling away.
“You’re incredible,” he says softly, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Something inside me shifts, a pull I can’t resist. I lean forward, my heart hammering in my chest, and before I can second-guess myself, our lips meet.
The kiss is slow, unhurried, but it carries a depth of emotion that steals my breath. His hands slide up to cup my face, his touch both firm and tender, as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he lets go.
I sink into the moment, letting it anchor me in a way nothing else has. The magic I’d just discovered hums faintly beneath my skin, as if it, too, is responding to him.
When we finally pull apart, his forehead rests lightly against mine, his breath warm against my skin.
“That was...unexpected,” I murmur, a small smile tugging at my lips.
“Was it?” he replies, his own smile soft and teasing. “Because I’ve been wanting to do that for a while now.”
A laugh bubbles out of me, light and unrestrained. “You could’ve told me.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” he says, his thumb brushing over my cheek. “Seriously, though, I didn’t want to rush you. You’ve been through so much?—”
“Exactly,” I interrupt him, giving him a quick peck on the lips to silence him. “After all we’ve been through, surely we’ve learnt that life is too short for holding back?”
“You’re right,” he admits, cupping my cheek and pulling me in for another slow, sensual kiss, before wrapping me in his arms so that my cheek is against his chest and the steady thrum of his heartbeat slowly relaxes me.
For a moment, we stay like that, the weight of the world pushed aside by something softer, something quieter. But eventually, reality seeps back in, and I take a small step back, though his hands linger at my sides.
“Thank you,” I say, meeting his gaze. “For believing in me.”
“Always,” he says simply, and I know he means it.