Chapter 51 Constellations and Conditions #2
Holden passes the book to me, pointing to a marked section. “This is an ancient defensive charm. If enacted, it would create a saferoom in your mind—a place for you to retreat to long enough to enact a Council review.”
“How long will the charm last?”
“Long enough,” Lochlan says.
Lochlan’s words replay in my head, making it difficult to sleep, impossible to remain still.
After lunch is cleared, I slip up to the third floor, an area of Mysthaven I’ve barely explored.
Absently, I wonder which door leads to the archives, but I push the thought aside as I cross to the end of the hall, where the expansive porch has been drawing me out each afternoon since returning from Portelina.
I sit down with the codex, opening to a copy of the charm Holden has me memorizing for my meeting with Lyra.
The others are busy, distracted with preparations, but I’m not surprised when Kai joins me as the sun begins to set.
There are times I question whether he can sense me—read my thoughts—like Griffin. Sometimes, like now, it feels impossible to believe he doesn’t.
“I thought I’d find you out here,” he says, crossing to the railing. This has become one of my favorite places at Mysthaven, offering me a view not only of the lake but also of the mountains in the distance.
The air warms several degrees, and a faint brush of air slips across my cheek and down my jaw—his element. I don’t know if he does it consciously or not. I’m too embarrassed to ask.
“We should set up a reading room for you after this is done.”
Talking about tomorrow and anything that follows feels like I’ll curse myself. “I like the sounds of nature out here.”
He nods. If anyone understands, I know it’s him.
We’re both silent for a moment.
“What are we going to do this weekend? Where should we go?”
I shake my head as I close my book, the nullite necklace cold against my skin, despite his heat. “I don’t know. I don’t want to think about it.”
“Bri, you’re going to be fine. Your shields are solid, and your echoes are some of the strongest I’ve ever seen.”
“She’s four hundred years old, and I’ve had ten weeks to learn everything.”
He kneels in front of me, his gaze roving across my face.
“Tomorrow, I want you to think about air when she mindwalks.” A breeze slips across my skin, invisible ribbons that caress my face and arms. “Think of the way it moves. It doesn’t fight obstacles—it flows.
” Another caress. “If she breaks through a shield, and you can’t rebuild, create an echo—shift.
” He places his hand over mine. “Flow. She’ll expect resistance, but redirection will confuse her, especially with how damn good you are with echoes. ”
I nod, feeling another stroke of his element against me, working to memorize it.
“What does your mental space look like?” I ask.
His lips tug up at one side, revealing a single dimple. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you see it tomorrow afternoon.”
“That’s not an answer,” I object.
“No, it’s a promise.” His smile dims, and he seems to hesitate, his usual confidence waning. He digs into his pocket, revealing a small satin bag that he holds out to me on his palm.
“What’s that?”
“It’s for you.”
I set the book down slowly, before reaching for the bag. It’s been over a year since someone gave me a gift—maybe that’s why the necklace Holden gave me felt so jolting. So damning.
The drawstring loosens easily. Inside is a gold ring that I pull out, pinched between my index finger and thumb. The light catches on the band, revealing whorls like the wind engraved across it. It’s beautiful.
“It’s made of metals from each territory,” he explains.
I turn it in my palm, catching the multiple sheens of metal.
“Now, when you press your thumb to your knuckles, this is your reminder,” Kai says, reaching for the ring. He slides it onto the middle finger of my right hand. “That you’re not alone.”
My breath stills as my gaze jumps to his. He stares back at me, both of us silent for a long beat as his magic brushes my skin again.
“If things go south tomorrow, we’ll get you out,” he says. “I swear.”
I shift my finger slightly, watching the light dance across the ring.
“Come on,” Kai pushes away from the rail. “Gwen’s channeling her nervous energy by cooking.”
She has been all week. I spent an hour making something that reminded me of scones yesterday, before Daire and Holden ushered me back into the archive, where I practiced the charm, each part separately, since enacting it would cause a whole new mess.
“Why don’t you guys call this place home? Why always Mysthaven?”
Kai’s eyes dance over me. “Because it wasn’t ever intended to be our home.” He slows to a stop. “It was Lochlan’s family estate, but Council controls it now.”
I glance around, shocked by how different and less welcoming it feels with that knowledge. “Council owns it?”
“No,” he says, “but they think they do. That’s why Kandi stopping by is always such a circus and why there are guards at the gate.”
“Council controls the guards?”
“Griffin chose them,” he says in assurance.
As we make our way down to the main floor, I look at everything through a new lens, wondering if the guys feel like this is their prison.
When we reach the kitchen, the rest of the Vestra is already gathered along with Edmond, Gwen, Chandler, and Lief.
“…and the gliders are prepped,” Lief says, cutting off mid-sentence as he spots us.
Despite the island being laden with food—more than we could possibly eat, Gwen’s love language on full display—the energy is off tonight. Charged with something that has my pulse off rhythm.
“There you are,” Scarlet says, appearing with a faint smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. She’s the only one wearing her fear openly. “I know you’re probably not hungry, but you have to try these because I made them.” She hands me a plate with a pastry threaded with herbs.
I gratefully accept, flashing a smile, wanting to pretend everything is normal for a little while longer.
We load our plates with food and take them into the adjoining dining room, where conversation is light.
I ask Scarlet about tidescast, but her answers are all forced and brief, her energy for the facade clearly weakening.
I mention the upcoming Gala, but she simply shakes her head.
But then Kai teases her about how he can swim faster, and the others join in, the taunts turning on each other, before the conversation turns to plans for the future, games, and trips that feel impossibly distant.
Beneath it all, the hum of unease continues, steady as a heartbeat.
I try to remain present. Try to let myself enjoy this simple thing—a family dinner—because that’s what it feels like, even if it’s forged in nerves and something temporary.
We eat slowly, lingering, stretching on until even Gwen stops insisting anyone needs more food.
“You need rest,” Holden says eventually.
Daire nods, sweeping a hand gently across my back. “He’s right. Tomorrow we can finish planning our trip to Valisse.” A destination Gwen insists they take me to.
Slowly, we all peel away from the table. Goodnights are quieter and longer than usual, Scarlet’s arm wrapped tightly around my shoulders as we head upstairs. She gives me a crushing hug before it’s just Griffin, Daire, and me in my bedroom. The light cream tones somehow comforting and familiar now.
Griffin tugs the blankets back without a word as Daire turns off the lights.
They don’t tease or joke as they slide in beside me, one on each side, until the space between our bodies dissolves.
For a long moment, none of us speaks.
“Tomorrow’s going to be fine,” Griffin says.
Daire wraps his hands around my waist. “If Lyra tries anything, it will be the last thing she does. We’ll take her and the whole fucking Council out.”
I fall asleep imagining fire—not just mine, but all of ours, burning down a building I haven’t set foot into.