Page 52 of Crowned

“That sounds…really nice actually,” I admit.

“Nice?” Cove echoes, his grin widening. “Malia, you’re going to love it. Wait until you see the gardens.”

It’s true, we’ve mostly stayed inside since we arrived, and getting some fresh air does sound nice.

“The gardens,” Bhodi scoffs, though there’s no real malice in his tone. “She needs to see the second library first. It’s the only place in this palace that doesn’t reek of politics and you know how much she loved the main one.”

Two libraries? Be still my beating heart.

“Let her pick,” Reef interjects, his voice steady. “It’s her home now, after all. She might like the private beach, though.”

The wordhomelingers in the air, and for the first time in days, it doesn’t feel quite so foreign.

Vance clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him. “I’ll stay here and take care of the portal,” he says, his tone brooking no argument. “You guys go. Focus on settling in here a little more. And try not to draw too much attention while we’re breaking every rule the council has.”

I nod, a flicker of gratitude warming my chest. “Thank you, Vance.”

His expression softens, just for a moment, before he turns and leaves the room.

Cove claps his hands together, his excitement infectious. “Alright, Malia. Where do you want to go first?”

I glance between them – Reef’s quiet strength, Cove’s bright enthusiasm, Bhodi’s understated warmth – and feel a surge of something I haven’t felt in far too long.

Hope.

“Let’s start with the gardens,” I say, my smile growing. “But I want to do it all. Eventually.”

Cove cheers, already halfway out the door. “You won’t regret it!”

For the first time since arriving in Aerwyna, I feel like I’m taking a step forward – not as someone who’s lost everything, but as someone who’s finally finding her place.

The gardens are a labyrinth of color and life, sprawling out behind the palace like a forgotten paradise. The scents of blooming flowers and fresh earth fill the air, mingling with the faint sound of water trickling from a nearby fountain. It’s peaceful in a way I hadn’t expected – quiet, but not empty.

Cove is already darting ahead, pointing out flowers and trees like he’s showing off his own personal masterpiece. Bhodi lingers behind, hands in his pockets, while Reef walks beside me, his pace unhurried but purposeful.

I let the sights and sounds wash over me, but it’s hard to fully relax. The weight of everything still clings to me like a shadow, no matter how beautiful the surroundings are.

“You’re quiet,” Reef says, breaking the silence between us. His voice is low, steady, like always.

“Just…taking it all in,” I reply, though we both know that’s not the whole truth.

He doesn’t press, but I can feel him studying me, his gaze heavy but not unkind. Finally, he stops walking, gesturing for me to do the same.

“Reef?” I ask, my brows furrowing as I turn to face him.

“There’s something we need to talk about,” he says, his tone serious but not harsh.

Cove jogs back over, his curiosity clearly piqued. “What’s going on?”

“Malia’s magic,” Reef says bluntly, cutting straight to the point. “We need to work on harnessing it.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. I blink at him, caught completely off guard. “What?”

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while now,” he continues, glancing at Bhodi, who’s now standing nearby with a frown on his face. “The professor and I have talked about it, and after everything we’ve seen, we’re convinced that with some training, you could really hone your gift.”

My cheeks flush, but I quickly push past the embarrassment. “That was probably a fluke,” I argue, shaking my head. “It could’ve been?—”

“It wasn’t,” Reef interrupts, his voice firm. “Malia, you’re not just connected to this place because of who you are. It’sinyou. And it’s time we started figuring out how to unlock it.”

---