Tobias #2
I hated every step away from her, even as I fought to forget the warmth of her in my arms, the enticing curve of her waist beneath my palm, and the ties of her belt looping around my fingers like one tug would be enough to unravel it.
Her floral scent was like the sunflower she wore around her neck brought to life—vivid, alive, and impossible to ignore.
Skidding to a halt a few steps from the undulating mirror, I realized that Quinn had once again saved me, if only momentarily, from the memories that were now flooding me once more.
Quinn’s voice cut through the silence. “You’re reading about mirrors?”
I turned to see her holding my book in her hands, flipping through the chapters. She paused at a dogeared page. I held out my hand expectantly.
Quinn tilted her head. She seemed to look right through me, seeing everything I didn’t want her to see. “Why?”
“I–I like to understand how things work,” I admitted, caught off guard by the intensity of her curiosity.
She came closer. “Have you tried it? Opening a gate?”
I nearly fumbled the book in surprise as she passed it back to me. While it was comforting to read about a way my magic could be used without causing harm, it was best my power stay contained. I knew exactly how destructive my light could be.
“No,” I said gruffly, looking away.
“I’d love to borrow it when you’re done,” Quinn murmured.
I could feel her eyes on me as I turned back to the mirror. My hand clenched the book so tightly its spine cracked.
Quinn walked right up next to me, so close I could feel the heat of her arm as it dangled a hair’s breadth from mine.
Despite my efforts, I found myself hoping that she might reach for me again like she had before our trip through the mirror earlier—that those nimble fingers would weave between mine and unravel the sudden paralysis that gripped my own.
Right now, my feet may as well have melded with the stone at the thought of willingly walking back into Morehaven.
As if sensing my trepidation, Quinn gave me one of those bright, perfect smiles. I had learned long ago to keep every thought and feeling from my face. And yet, her smile never seemed to fail to make my mouth tug at the corners in response.
Maybe I’ll be able to get through this. At least if she stays by my side.
Before I could think better of it, I reached for her. A shock danced between our fingertips. Our eyes met, something inscrutable passing between us.
I tried not to think about how much it felt like her hand belonged in mine as Quinn pulled us both through.
?
I hated this fucking castle. Eva and Bash had obviously worked hard to update it, like that could wipe away the memories ingrained within its gleaming facade.
They had done a good job, too. It was beautiful in a way I almost wished it wasn’t.
Color and life had taken the place of the endless white marble that used to be the main feature of this entrance hall.
But after what my sister and I had both been through here, I couldn’t help but think of the skeleton of what remained under the new furnishings.
The familiar weight of Morehaven dragged me into memory before I could stop it, yanking me down into its depths. Terror clawed up my throat as I thought of the dungeon that had been my home for four endless years. The inescapable agony of being collared and helpless nearly brought me to my knees…
Quinn’s hand squeezed mine, pulling me back to the present. I was trembling, clutching her hand so hard I was likely hurting her.
I immediately let go.
It was an effort to keep my expression empty as her eyes traced over my face—though I knew it was already too late to feign indifference. She gave me a sad sort of smile.
Slowly, I sucked in a breath to a careful four count, then held it in my chest. It was an effort to force everything I felt down somewhere deep inside me before letting my breath out to the same slow count. Only when my shoulders relaxed on my exhale did Quinn look away.
My sister rushed into the great hall a moment later, an enormous smile on her face.
Her eyes were bright and glowing with happiness.
They were the same hazel with flecks of gold as mine, a trait we had both inherited from our mother.
Though Eva’s ability as High Queen to draw from the magic of the land now made those flecks swirl excitedly in an echo of the gold crown she could summon at will.
The world owed her a happy ending. After everything she had been through, everything she and her anima had been forced to overcome to reach this day…they both did.
Quinn quirked a brow at the leathers my sister wore. “I realize you’re not about to walk down the aisle yet, but I was under the impression the festivities leading up to a bonding ceremony didn’t include a fight.”
Eva laughed, the gold around her pupils swirling with languid contentedness.
“Just finished training…I’m still getting the hang of drawing on the magic of the land, and I figured these couldn’t hurt.
” Her mouth quirked. “Hopefully there won’t be any fighting tonight, considering it’s just a dinner with the people who mean the most to me. ”
I hid my wince. With the way I had avoided her these last few months, I had no right to be included in that group.
Eva winked. “Maybe tomorrow at the big event. As much as I wish we could keep the actual ceremony small, apparently, high queens are expected to throw a party every now and then.” She exaggeratedly wrinkled her nose.
“With how long our bond has been in place, you’d think it wouldn’t matter, and we could stay focused on the rebuilding efforts… ”
“Joy is worth celebrating,” Quinn said solemnly. “I’m not surprised the realm wants to take part in it, especially after what you did for them.”
Leave it to Quinn to always know the right thing to say.
My throat was tight as I nodded. Eva’s smile widened as she met my gaze. Sometimes it felt as though no time had passed, that innate understanding formed in the womb leaving little to explain aloud. Other times, my twin still seemed like a stranger, those stolen years hanging heavy between us.
I was well aware that distance was entirely my fault.
Eva grimaced. “Please don’t remind me about half the realm coming to celebrate…I’m just going to keep my eyes on Bash and rely on Toby to get me down that aisle.”
Toby. It was still strange to hear that childhood nickname, the one no one but my sister ever called me. Especially now that the queen who said it was so far removed from the little girl who had coined it.
At least she hadn’t brought Bash along so he could awkwardly act like my friend.
I may have forgiven him for the part he played in bringing me to the False King, considering he thought he was doing the right thing.
But I hadn’t forgotten whose shadows had bound and gagged me before he unquestioningly laid me at Aviel’s feet.
I had ignored Bash’s efforts to reach out—though by doing so, I hadn’t treated him any differently than anybody else.
“How are things going besides that?” My question felt forced, like I was trying to play a part and couldn’t remember my lines.
A line creased between Eva’s brows. “No outright attacks since Aviel’s death, though I almost wish I had a physical enemy to face instead of the whispers about my legitimacy.
It’s been a war of disinformation after the False King’s outright lies when he was trying to discredit Bash and me.
” She let out a heavy sigh that made me feel bad I asked.
“It’s worse in Mayim and Esterra, where his supporters were able to blend back into their lives.
It doesn’t help that there are plenty against the democratic ideologies they say I brought with me from the human realm, even though Mom was the one to create that blueprint. ”
It was part of why opening Soleara to outsiders was so important.
My kingdom was a model for the representative form of government Eva hoped to put in place for all Agadot.
The legacy of our parents’ rule was a thriving kingdom that showcased the importance of giving power to the people—and a voice in how their realm was run.
Change was never easy, especially with the fae, but those not swayed by Soleara’s example at least understood the need for checks and balances to keep a tyrant like Aviel from ever stealing the throne again.
“I’m working on laying the groundwork for allowing those who aren’t Celestial to be able to enter the Choosing,” Eva added far too nonchalantly.
I had no illusions the process was simple.
“From what we’ve discovered, the barring of Elementals traces back not to the Seeing Mirror, but to a Celestial High King intent on keeping his lineage in power.
I assume Quinn told you since she’s been helping me research? ”
Quinn’s smile faltered, but Eva didn’t seem to notice. She gestured for us to follow her before Quinn could reveal how cowardly I had been in avoiding her.
Eva cleared her throat. “How’s Soleara?”
My footsteps stumbled as I looked down at the floor.
I supposed retiling was low on the list of priorities with so much else to be rebuilt…
but I hated that white marble. It was a perfect match to the hallway my limp, drugged body had been dragged down every time I was brought to Aviel so he could feed upon my power.
He was always careful not to take too much, unlike the others imprisoned with me.
I had quickly learned not to grow attached to anyone in the cells near mine. Their fates always ended with him sucking away their lifeforce to feed his own, their screams echoing down the sterile hallway.
With a shudder, I took a step forward. Only then did I remember my sister had asked me a question. I opened my mouth wordlessly, but Quinn came to my rescue.