Page 10 of A Ballad of Beasts and Brothers

I might not have mastered the art of deception yet, but I can spot a liar. "It seems like you two…" I pause, knowing I need to proceed with caution on this touchy subject. "I don't know. It seems like both of you are repressing your feelings for each other."

Eris takes a moment to mull over my words before responding. "Don't get me wrong, Finn is handsome, but we're just friends. Not much more to it."

I desperately want to argue with her, pointing out everything I observed between them on our journey through Bava. All the adoring glances, the whispered conversations, how Finn would watch her every move with a longing or how Eris would know exactly what Finn needed before he asked. They spoke volumes with just one look. But I keep all of that to myself. Eris is either in denial about her feelings, keeping them private, or there's a slim chance I've read both of them completely wrong and there really is nothing going on between them.

I bob my head and smile. "I'm glad you two are friends."

"Me too," she returns my smile. She pats my leg before standing up again. "Get some sleep, Shaye. You'll need it."

Four

Shaye

The next morning, I find a box outside my bedroom door. There's a small card attached with my name on it, but when I open the white card, there's nothing written inside. I bring the parcel inside my room, slip the beautiful pink ribbon off, and find a new outfit inside – fitted trousers, a long-sleeve shirt, and a pair of leather boots. This all-black ensemble has Atlas written all over it.

"I, for one, think you would look exceptional in black."

Once I get dressed, tie the boots, and braid the sides of my hair up into a ponytail, I take a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror and can't help but smile. Atlas was right. I do look exceptional in black.

The clock in my bedroom chimes and I hustle down the steps expecting everyone to be waiting for me at the table for breakfast like the previous morning. However, when I make it to the lowest level of the rowhouse, no one is at the table except for Nyx. He takes a long sip of his orange juice before noticing me standing at the foot of the staircase.

"Good morning, Kitarni." He wipes his mouth with his napkin, looking me up and down. "Nice outfit."

"Thank you. I found it outside my bedroom door this morning. You wouldn't happen to know who left it, would you?"

A knowing smile snakes across his face, but he doesn't answer my question. Instead, he beckons me forward to sit where a second plate is waiting. "Atlas and Eris left earlier and Finn is just about to leave to open his apothecary shop for the day, but he wanted to make sure you ate before your first day of school."

As if on cue, Finn trots down the steps behind me and pats my shoulder. "You're going to do great today," he reassures me like a father would his child. "I can't wait to hear all about it tonight."

"Will you all be here for dinner?" I didn't realize how much I would miss having meals with them, but now that we're back in Tronovia, everyone is resettling into their normal routines, so I'm not sure when we'll all be together again.

"Of course." Finn smiles and bobs his head, grabbing his keys off a hook near the front door. Until this moment, I hadn't noticed that rack before. There are six hooks and above each one is a tiny gold nameplate marking whose keys go where. Staring at it for another moment, I question why there are six hooks and not five. Only five people live here, so who could that sixth ring be for? Then it hits me that it's probably there for Ronan, since he crashes here from time to time.

Fixing his collar before slipping his leather bag over his shoulder and across his chest, Finn makes his way back toward me and places his hands on both of my shoulders. "Don't let anyone push you around. Remember, you have more power than most wielders in this city."

I dip my head in understanding. There's something about Finn that exudes peace and tranquility. Part of me wishes he was my escort. He'd definitely ease my nerves, but I trust Nyx to ensure I'm kept safe, if we run into any angry Tronovians who want me dead.

"I've got to go." Finn releases me. "Eris is probably wondering where I am, but I wanted to make sure you had something to eat."

I glance at the omelet with chives scattered on top and smile. "Thank you, Finn."

"My pleasure." He makes his way toward the front door. Without turning to look at his younger brother, he says, "Take care of her, Nyx," before slipping out the door and locking it.

"Eat up, Kitarni," Nyx issues with a mouthful. "We'll have to be leaving soon."

I take my place at the dining table, pick up my fork and cut off a piece of the fluffy yellow omelet and toss it into my mouth. It practically melts on my tongue. Cheese oozes from the inside and the buttery flavor of the outer layer spurs me to gobble the unexpected, but appreciated, breakfast down quickly. Finishing two pieces of crispy bacon and downing my cup of orange juice, I feel like I'm ready to conquer whatever the day throws my way, even if my pants are a little snugger than they were moments ago.

Nyx wipes his mouth with his napkin, pushes his chair back and stands up. "You ready, Kitarni?"

"I'm not sure."

"You nervous?"

"About school?" I shake my head and wipe my mouth. "No, I'm used to tutors."

He scoots his chair under the table, grabs both of our empty dishes, and takes them to the kitchen. "But you are nervous about something," he says from the other room.

"I'm not entirely sure the other students won't try using their magic against me," I admit and look up at the swinging door as he reenters.

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