Chapter Fifteen
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
The cozy underground room Gwen had brought them to was so warm Scarlett had to pull her sweater over her head, revealing the black silk camisole underneath. She clocked Brayden’s eyes lingering on her chest and cracked a smile. His gaze met hers then, and his cheeks pinked up.
Catching him staring—and his embarrassment at being caught—bolstered her confidence in what she’d seen in the soul-light mirror. Their attraction was definitely mutual.
Oblivious to their silent exchange, Gwen approached a long table against the wall, covered in herbs, tuning forks, and a small set of bells. She lit some incense, and swirls of the musky-smelling smoke slowly filled the room.
“Scarlett, lie down on the table in the middle of the room. Brayden, if you want, you can stand on the other side and hold her hand.”
Scarlett climbed onto the table. At least this temple experience wasn’t taking place in the creepy-as-fuck catacombs. Brayden stared down at her, his eyes shining in the dim candlelight.
Gwen moved to Scarlett’s other side. “Right. I’m going to start chanting and ringing the bells until your valor comes through. It might take a while to get you in the necessary trance state, so don’t fret if it doesn’t happen immediately. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” Scarlett’s heart fluttered as she squeezed Brayden’s hand.
Gwen began to hum a haunting, wordless song. Scarlett closed her eyes as she breathed in the incense and tuned in to Brayden’s touch grounding her. Gwen rang the bell over her as Scarlett’s thoughts started to drift.
Visions of Parliament and snippets of her father’s most famous speeches flitted through her mind.
Then she was the one in front of the podium speaking passionately and watching her colleagues stand and applaud.
Scarlett radiated happiness as it played out in her mind’s eye: The border issues came to a vote and passed; her colleagues patted her on the back and shook her hand, congratulating her on making her father’s dreams come true.
A sense of rightness rolled through her, and her father’s presence was there with her in her moment of triumph.
Soleil’s future appeared in snippets as the country slowly opened to the outside world.
Magic became more accessible. The world truly became a better place.
She was full of bliss as it all unfolded.
Yes, this is what I want.
Lost as she was in her mind, the tingling just under her collarbone barely registered as Gwen continued to hum.
“There’s the valor,” whispered Brayden. “Below her clavicle. She’s a vox.”
Scarlett didn’t open her eyes—she was too comfortable—but she could hear him, even if he sounded far away.
“It’s beautiful,” said Brayden into Scarlett’s ear.
That’s good.
“Hmm,” said Gwen after some more time had passed. “I did wonder when you came with her—”
“What is it?” asked Brayden.
“A North Star wants to come through,” said Gwen. “Normally, we’d make a little bit more of a to-do about a North Star ceremony, but we could do it today, given she’s leaving soon, as I understand. Do you want it now?”
“Goddess above,” said Brayden, tightening his grip on her hand. “It’s too soon. Scarlett doesn’t even know what that is—”
“Say no more. Perhaps the Goddess simply wanted you both to know of the possibility. You can explain it to her and come back another time.”
“Could they disappear if we don’t take the stars now?” asked Brayden, sounding tense.
“No, of course not,” said Gwen with a laugh. “You’re North Stars forever whether you manifest the runes or not.”
“Yeah, that makes sense,” said Brayden, sounding sheepish.
What are they talking about?
“Relax,” said Nori. “He’ll explain it later.”
Her light’s words soothed her, and Scarlett drifted deeper again—so deep she was on the verge of sleep, Gwen’s and Brayden’s words already forgotten.
A loud plunk cut off the soothing bells.
“We’re done. Scarlett, start wiggling your fingers and your toes. Open your eyes whenever you’re ready, dear. There’s some water and cookies on the table in the corner. Please help yourself.” The sound of footsteps was followed by a door closing.
Scarlett did as the priestess suggested and tried to move a little bit. After a moment she opened her eyes to find Brayden hovering over her. She looked up at him, marveling at the intent way he stared back.
He brushed his hand against her cheek, his gaze soft. “That was easy, right? Congratulations. You’re a vox.”
“The easiest. That was… incredible. I had the most amazing dreams.” Scarlett didn’t move. “I’ve got the same valor as James?”
Brayden pointed toward a mirror by the door. “Come look.”
He offered her his hand, and Scarlett took it, hopping off the table.
The effects of the trance hadn’t thoroughly worn off, and she moved slowly, her head foggy.
She stood looking in the mirror, with Brayden behind her.
Below her left clavicle was a delicate-looking sun made of thin lines and dots of golden ink.
Little black stars freckled to the left and the right of it.
“It’s so small.” She traced the tattoo with her fingertip. “Is yours this small?”
“Mine is definitely not small.”
She snorted at his joke, glad of the levity.
His fingertips grazed her arm. “But seriously, don’t worry about the size. You make the valor special, not the other way around. You’re such an incredible person, so you’ll be an amazing vox. I have no doubt.”
She smiled softly as they stared at each other in the reflection. Brayden’s belief in Scarlett moved her even though he thought too highly of her. She wasn’t special. All she did was work really hard.
“So you have fire because you’re special. The fire doesn’t make you special?” she asked.
“Mine’s a weird one,” he allowed. “I’m the only one in Clair de Lune with the phoenix valor. But still, if I was a dumbass with a phoenix valor, I’d be worthless. The valor is only as good as the one who wields it, is what I’m doing a bad job of explaining.”
“No—your explanation makes sense.” Kind of. There was definitely a hierarchy of some kind that he was at the top of, but she was willing to accept that personal attributes played a part too.
Brayden touched the sun lightly with his fingers, making her heart race.
Even in the dim light of the underground room, it sparkled.
“That golden ink—it’s unique. Yours is much prettier than James’s.
You being a vox makes sense, you know. Usually, vox are persuasive and charismatic.
It’s perfect for a peer in Parliament. You’ll shine like the sun. ”
Scarlett remembered what James had said about being good at giving speeches. That would certainly be helpful as she worked to pass the border legislation. The visions she’d had during the valor ceremony boded well if they were any indication of what was in store now that she was a vox.
“I guess I’m a lover, not a fighter, like James said.”
Brayden’s forehead creased as he worried his lip. Was it her imagination, or did he have something on his mind?
“Are you ready to get out of here?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He put his hand on her back as they walked out of the room.
Upstairs, they thanked Gwen and departed from the temple.
On the path back to the castle, Brayden and Scarlett walked side by side.
The late-afternoon light filtered through the trees, as did the sounds of birds chirping.
A sudden breeze made her shiver, and Scarlett was glad she’d worn fitted black pants and her favorite purple sweater, which, in addition to being warm, was covered in sparkly moons and stars.
“What’s your light’s name?” Brayden asked.
Scarlett looked up at him. “Nori. What’s yours called?”
She held out her hand to Brayden’s light, and the light came down to hover over her palm. Nori also flew to Scarlett’s hand, and the two orbs circled each other as if they were saying hello. Scarlett laughed at the sight.
“His name is Jax.” Brayden watched their lights hovering next to each other with a strange expression. “It’s a little unusual for them to get so close to each other,” he whispered. “This is also the only time I’ve had a friend meet her light when we’ve already been friends for over a decade.”
“I met Jax through the mirror,” said Nori. “We can talk through the glass just like you.”
Scarlett repeated Nori’s words out loud.
“Jax said the same thing,” said Brayden.
“It’s so fascinating that the lights are there even if you haven’t learned to see them yet.” She held her hand out for Nori, and her light came to her. “I want to know everything about them.”
“I learn new shit about Jax all the time. The lights do it on purpose—withhold lessons or information until the right moment. Jax knows it frustrates me, but he has my best interests at heart, so I try to be calm.”
Jax circled Brayden’s head rapidly, forcing him to stop walking.
Scarlett laughed at Jax’s antics. “How does Jax feel about you saying he frustrates you?”
Jax hovered over Brayden’s shoulder as they resumed walking. “He’s not surprised.” Brayden grinned. “He usually says something annoying like ‘trust divine timing’ when I’m impatient.”
“In the Forest Temple, I was told time isn’t linear.”
Nori’s bell laugh sounded in her head. “Are you going to tell him who said that?”
Quiet! thought Scarlett.
“How was the Forest Temple for you? Who did you see in the mirror? Did you meet any ghosts?”
Scarlett’s heart jolted. “Who did you see?”
He glanced her way before looking down at the path ahead. “My mam. It was incredibly sad, though I was happy to see her.”
“I wish I could have met her.” Scarlett took Brayden’s hand and squeezed it.
“So, who was in the mirror?” he pressed. “Almost everyone I know saw one of their parents or a grandparent, but it’s usually different for adults.”
“No parents.” She toyed with her hair as they walked.
He ran his hand through his hair. “Was it Alastair? Just tell me it wasn’t James,” he said, his tone full of dread.