Chapter 20
Chapter twenty
The crackling of fire and crashing of waves created a soothing backdrop as the four Mystics gathered around the flames, all eyes fixed on Marina.
Years in Frosthaven, spent among herbs, bandages, and healing hands, had sheltered Gisela.
The salt in the air here was a constant reminder of how far she’d traveled from the sterile mountain wind.
Until now, the world beyond Frosthaven was distant, half-imagined.
Every word Marina spoke pulled back another corner of that hidden life.
“My mother was a sailor, a beacon of light for Mystics on the run,” Marina began.
Silas traced the rim of his cup with a finger, nodding.
“She made many trips to Mystic Isle, helping any Mystic who wanted to leave. But after one of her journeys . . .” Marina glanced at her father.
“A Seer there told her that our land was doomed. She wanted my father and me to complete the Trials so we could gain entry to Mystic Isle and leave this place for good.”
Silas shifted in his seat, mouth twitching.
“Why wait until after the Trials? Why not get on the boat and go?” Thorne asked.
“The land won’t appear to those who aren’t awakened. My men can’t see it when we travel there.”
Gisela tilted her head, frowning.
“Their realm isn’t open to just anyone,” she clarified. “My mother was executed shortly after learning the fate of Mystralos.” Marina flexed her fingers at her sides.
The fire popped, sending a spray of sparks into the air.
“Maybe one of the sailors betrayed her,” Thorne suggested.
Marina’s eyes sharpened. “I trust my men. They’ve been properly questioned and vetted.”
Thorne let out a low laugh. “What did you do? Waterboard them for information?”
Marina smirked and leaned back, crossing a leg.
Thorne’s amusement drained.
Silas rubbed his temples. “Marina, you can’t keep sailing over there. How do you know the kingdom doesn’t have eyes on this?”
“Because I’m prepared,” she replied, voice steady. “We’re vigilant. I make sure none of the Mystics are seen getting on the ship. We’re fishing. That’s all.”
Silas’s shoulders curled in.
“We’re due to go out again. You can see it for yourself. Maybe even find the Seer my mother spoke to.”
Gisela’s pulse kicked. The idea of leaving Mystralos now—truly leaving—made her hands go numb. She glanced at Eira. “Did you know about Mystic Isle?”
Eira hovered closer. “There are many realms, Gisela. Some more favorable than others.”
Silas cut in. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Thorne asked.
“They probably blame me for Helena’s death too,” he said. “She was very loved there.”
“No,” Marina said. “They don’t blame you.”
Silas’s shoulders eased a fraction.
“Then we’re going,” Gisela said, even as the numbness persisted. “We have to.”
Marina clapped. “It’s settled.” She tipped her chin, considering them. “Isn’t it funny how the four of us, each with a different element, found our way to each other?”
Gisela’s head snapped to Thorne, who met her gaze, puzzled. The mention of the four elements united made her pause and remember Elder Aldric. She spoke aloud:
“In times of dire, the balance shall break,
Six elements lost, a world at stake.
To mend the divide, the willing must find,
The six who unite, in heart and mind.”
The group stared at her.
“What the hell does that mean?” Marina asked.
Four, Gisela realized. Two still missing.
“Are there Mystics with air and storm on Mystic Isle? Would they help?”
Marina thought for a moment, then smiled. “Maybe. But we’re not ignoring what you just said.”
Gisela didn’t respond right away. Her thoughts drifted back to the villages, to the suffering of her people.
What was Frosthaven like now?
Helena had risked her life to save Mystics and paid the ultimate price.
Gisela clenched her fists in her lap. Helena had been brave, tough—qualities Gisela never really needed until now. She had been raised to heal; it came easier to her than anything else. Gisela anchored herself, trying to push back the shadow of doubt creeping in.
Silas and Thorne went inside the house to play darts, their cheers and laughter drifting out the windows.
A smile spread across Gisela’s face as she listened.
Thorne’s silhouette moved past the glass, his posture more relaxed than she’d ever seen. He was finding companionship with Silas—a figure who offered the support his own father never had. It warmed something inside of her.
“My father really likes Thorne,” Marina said, jerking her head toward the house. “I can tell.”
“Yeah, he’s alright,” Gisela said jokingly.
“He loves you.”
“Your father? I love him too.”
Marina chuckled. “No, I meant Thorne.”
Gisela fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, heat prickling at the back of her neck.
“He’s protective of you. I ruffled his handsome feathers by my tone alone,” Marina teased.
Gisela gave Marina a sidelong glance, feeling a pang of unfamiliar jealousy.
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m not into the likes of him,” Marina laughed. “I can see that he’s handsome. But I prefer them a little more . . . burly.”
Gisela picked at her nails. “Do you have someone of your own?”
“I do. But he’s in Mystic Isle,” Marina said, pursing her lips. “I don’t get to see him often.”
“That’s got to be hard. Aquamancer too?”
“He’s a Flamekeeper. So, I know how to push their buttons,” Marina said with a grin.
They giggled together, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the game inside.
“Although, his flames aren’t black,” Marina added, raising a brow. “What’s that all about?”
Thorne’s flames were unique, that much was obvious. Fire was usually a blend of oranges, yellows, and occasionally blues, but never black.
Gisela hesitated, wincing. “I never asked.”
Marina’s fingers drummed against her thigh. “Why not?”
“I’m afraid to.”
His flames had to have a deeper meaning, yet she hadn’t found the courage to ask him about it. Thorne had been through a lot over the last few weeks. She didn’t want to undermine his hard-won strength.
Eira could sense her curiosity, but Gisela refrained from asking her.
“Well, you should,” Marina said. “It could strengthen whatever connection you two have . . . seems intense.”
Gisela tilted her head thoughtfully.
“I’ve always been intuitive,” Marina said.
A knot of nerves twisted in Gisela’s stomach. “Have you heard of being Soulbound?”
“Ondine told me about it. Are you two Soulbound?”
“I don’t know.”
“Have you guys . . .?” Marina wiggled her eyebrows.
Gisela blushed, averting her gaze. “Not yet.”
“Yet,” Marina repeated, as they burst into giggles again. “I’ve never had many girlfriends,” she admitted. “I’m glad you showed up.”
“I am too,” Gisela said, giving her a soft smile. “I was a bit of a bookworm before all of this. I spent my spare time studying my mother’s herbalism journals and my best friend is a sixty-year-old scribe.”
“A sixty-year-old best friend is better than no best friend.”
“True. Except now her life is at risk.”
“A King who wants to erase history sounds like a King who wants to change the story,” Marina said. “Erase what’s been done.”
Gisela's thoughts pulled to Zaro, the man the guards spoke of on the mountain. “When we left the mountain, Thorne heard guards talking about someone named Zaro. That he’s involved with everything going on,” Gisela said.
“Is that the Ancient Elder Ravenor keeps invoking?”
“Ravenor never named him.”
“Well, if it is, maybe they’re trying to bury the past together? If no one remembers the true history, they can rewrite it however they want.”
Gisela nodded, watching the flames of the fire curl and collapse. “I wonder why Aquamere hasn’t experienced any negative effects from the Stones being gone yet?”
Marina’s voice was quiet. “We have.”
Gisela glanced at Marina, narrowing her gaze. She could sense the worry in Marina’s voice.
“I’ve been filling the lakes. Late at night,” Marina said. “The fish are dwindling as well. But it sounds worse in the north.”
A chill ran down Gisela’s spine, and not the kind that reminded her of Thorne.