Page 78 of The Mirror in the Mountain

My anxiety had turned into a frenetic hum by the time I got downstairs—the need to get going, get moving, that we had delayed too long, blaring through me like an alarm. There had been no word of Aviel’s movements during our time in Esterra, but I knew Bash’s network of spies had been mostly depleted; recalled for their own safety as Aviel cracked down. Yet he hadto know we were racing him to the mirror that would decide the very fate of this realm.

Our visit to Esterra had been necessary. But I couldn’t shake off the feeling that we were already behind.

Marin immediately zeroed in on Bash’s limp as we walked down the stairwell. I ducked from beneath his arm, walking over to where Quinn and Tobias sat at the breakfast table, dressed in similar fighting leathers to mine, swords strapped to their sides. My own adamant sword peeked over my shoulder, my dagger at my hip. Their eyes widened almost comically as I unzipped the front of my jacket to expose the bruising on my neck and the mostly healed bite mark on my shoulder.

Tobias’s eyes flashed with pure white light. Quinn immediately reached for me; her voice full of rage. “What happened?”

I told them a condensed version as her hand hovered over my skin, the soothing sensation of her magic immediately clearing the remaining aches of my injuries. With a sigh of relief, I pressed my hand against the now healed wound atop the raised scar—the embodiment of my terror, Aviel’s casual cruelty, and my nightmares all carved into my skin in one permanent mark.

My brother’s jaw flexed as he started peeling a clementine in one long spiral, just like he used to when we were kids. I smiled at him despite the look on his face.

It fell away, replaced with a frown as I took him in.

Tobias’s eyes narrowed. “What is it?”

“Where’s your dagger?”

The faintest hint of pink dusted his cheeks. “Quinn needed one. I let her borrow mine, since apparently these,” he gestured at the sword on his hip, its hilt matching the ornate looking dagger on the opposite side, “are family heirlooms.”

“I offered to find another,” Quinn said airily. “There’s plenty to choose from in the armory.”

Tobias stared at her intently. “I’d rather you keep mine safe for me.”

Their eyes met, and a flush darkened Quinn’s cheekbones. Her lips parted slightly as neither looked away.

I cleared my throat, trying not to smile. “Does the sword have a name?”

Quinn jumped slightly, turning to me. Tobias still watched her as he said quietly, “Duskbane.”

“Seems fitting for you then,” I said as I stared at the clear stone on its hilt. “I wonder if mom ever used it.”

Quinn nodded at the basket-hilt of my sword. “Did you name yours?”

“I haven’t yet,” I admitted. “Though that feels like bad luck going into battle.”

I jumped slightly as Bash set a loaded plate of food in front of me—poached eggs on fresh bread with crumbled cheese on top, a medley of sliced fruits, and a few thick slices of bacon on the side. Everything I would have picked had I been the one choosing. Bash kissed the now hidden mark on my shoulder before nodding his thanks to Quinn. His hand rested on my collarbone, one finger gently grazing against her handiwork.

“If only someone hadn’t already taken Shadesong,” I said teasingly. A smile quirked Bash’s lips, and I knew he was remembering our first nights together as we journeyed through the Faewilds, the name of his dark sword one of a million whispered topics.

“Darkbringer,” Marin called out.

Yael looked thoughtful. “Nightreaver?”

“Nightshade would be a good match,” Quinn said thoughtfully. “Both for your magic, and because you’re just as deadly.”

“They grow around here,” Tobias murmured. “In Soleara.”

For a split second, I saw a small, star-shaped flower I had once tried to pick. My mother smiled down at me as she told me it was both beautiful and deadly.

“A dangerous mix, and one that is not to be trifled with, Evangeline.”

“I like it,” Bash murmured.

I smiled up at him. “I do too.”

“If that’s settled…” Bash placed my fork in my hand. “Rivan’s readying our horses, but it’ll be time to leave soon. Once you’ve eaten, we’ll?—”

“I can eat on the road,” I cut in, even as Bash’s hands pressed into my shoulders before I could stand. “I’m not making a literal army wait for me, not when we’ve taken too long to?—”

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