Page 202 of Lady of Starfire

“Shit,” he murmured, Cethin and Rayner backing away.

The mirror was no longer reflecting the room back at them. There were images whirling past too quickly for Sorin to make them out. They were simply blurs of color, morphing from one to the next.

“Different worlds?” Rayner asked.

“Likely different mirror gates,” Cethin said, tucking his wife protectively into his side. “What is her plan, Sorin?”

“If things work out, she will alter the mirror gates,” Sorin answered, looking for any flash of silver hair among the swirling images.

“What do you mean alter them?” Cethin demanded, his eyes fixed on the mirror gate too.

“The theory is if a World Walker’s power was used to fuel the mirror gates, a World Walker’s gifts could also alter them. If it were powerful enough,” he explained.

“The theory?” Cethin deadpanned. “You are placing the fate of the realm and your twin flame on a theory?”

“I know you do not know your sister well,” Rayner muttered. “But she bases nearly every plan on a theory. Just be grateful she shared this one with some of us before putting it into motion.” Then he added, “Somehow, they usually play out in her favor.”

“Usually,” Cethin repeated.

“More than half of the time,” Rayner amended.

“Those are good odds,” Kailia commented.

“By the Fates,” Cethin muttered, dragging a hand through his hair.

Sorin glanced at him, his trepidation growing at Scarlett not returning yet. “She has a theory about you and the mirror gates too.”

At that, her brother froze. “What does that mean?”

“She thinks that if you travel through a mirror gate, you are not technically crossing the Wards. You would be able to leave without taking them down.”

“Even if that were true, my people would still be trapped here,” Cethin argued.

“Yes, but you could fight. The Wards could come down after the Maraans are defeated, so that—” Sorin cut himself, realizing how insensitive this was about to sound. Perhaps now wasn’t the time to discuss this.

“So that Avonleya will be safe, even if the Wards coming down takes my life,” Cethin finished for him.

Sorin nodded, glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. He was bent down, murmuring into Kailia’s ear. She shook her head, and he took her chin, turning her face to his. Sorin returned his attention to the mirror gate, trying to give them some semblance of privacy.

Then he felt her. Shadows and stars, wildness and darkness. But also something more.

Still the mirror before them swirled.

Scarlett.

“Sorin,” came Rayner’s warning.

He hadn’t realized he’d taken a step towards the mirror.

Scarlett? You’re close, Love. Come home.

Home?

His breath caught.Yes, Love. Home.

I can’t… It’s too much. It wants too much. Demands too much.

No,he snarled down the bond, placing his palm on the mirror.It does not get to have you.

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