Page 24 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
And as the enormity of everything ahead of me starts to unfold, my anger weakens its grip.
“But she didn’t tell you about what you have? Your magic?”
“No. I didn’t even know magic existed or that I had any until a few months ago, and back then I just thought I was going mad.”
“That’s… a little strange. Most children in Kirrasia have latent power. They are born here and learn about their gifts at an early age. I knew I was an Elemental. My parents both were. Although my power isn’t as strong as others.” He leads me along the curve of a corridor inside the residence building with doors on each side. “This is me.” He pushes open a door and steps inside the room.
I take a tentative step inside, not sure what to expect. It’s neat and tidy and far more spacious than my room back home. Although not as grand as the rooms I’m staying in at the moment.
“All the rooms are the same. You’ll be the tenth trainee. Your room will be along from mine, as I arrived a while ago. Aten is the newest, well, except for you now.” He leaves his room and heads around the bend in the corridor again. There were doors on both sides, but no names or anything else to identify who had which room.
“This will be you.” He knocks on the door as if someone will answer, but he keeps going. “The dining hall is along here.”
We enter an open room with a vaulted ceiling and a huge hearth with a roaring fire, even though it’s warm outside. It makes it feel homely, and I snatch at the feel of comfort, even if it’s for a brief moment.
Three long wooden tables have been set out with benches on either side.
“Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served for you here. But you’re not forced to stay to eat all the time. We’re free to come and go—within reason.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me and gives me a goofy grin.
His carefree and abundant nature eases something in my chest.
“What’s on the menu? Kyra gave me these little pastry treats for breakfast today. They were delicious.” My hopes soar at the thought of eating those again.
“A sweet tooth, huh?” a voice startles me, and I turn to see the man from the Great Hall again—my would-be challenger—walking out of a door from across the room to us, a plate of food in his hand.
“Perhaps,” I admit, feeling a little shy. The truth is, we didn’t have a lot of sweet things back home. Fruits, sure. But not layers of buttery flaky pastry and soft custard delights.
He walks right up to us, his eyes locked with mine, and a rush of… heat hits me, building from inside my chest. It’s not dissimilar to what I felt when the man, his father, if I were guessing, grabbed me.
He seems to notice something, too, taking his time to watch me for a moment, the scrutiny warming my cheeks enough that I drop my eyes. He sets his plate on the table, and I look back up at him.
“I’m Aten Ciro. Welcome to Kirrasia, Ever.” He gives me a slight bow of his torso. And then he picks up something from his plate and hands it to me.
It’s one of the pastries from breakfast. I look at it, then at him, and he just stands there, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.
That I’m now staring at.
“Ah, thank you.” I reach out to take it, and our fingers brush, just the slightest of touches, but the impact snatches my breath.
Something else replaces the heat. Something burning. And the air around us seems to thicken with tension.
Images. Flashes.
Red. And purple. A woman’s face and the night sky. And… my face. Walking right towards me as if I’m watching the events of earlier through his eyes.
It’s only for a few seconds, but it’s all there in my mind.
Are those his memories?
He steps back quickly and sits down. His head lowers, his demeanour cool in comparison to a moment ago.
“You can have custard tarts whenever you like.” Micah fills the silence. “Just speak to the cooks. They will make sure there’s something for you every meal.” His voice has lost a little of itsenthusiasm, and I can see him looking back and forth between me and Aten.
“Don’t we have to go somewhere?” It feels like I need to leave. Or rather, I’d like some space to catch my breath.
“No need, Ever. We seem to have found you.” Rowan walks into the hall with a group of others around him that I assume are the Custodians. He gives a stern look in Micah’s direction, who offers a shrug in response, which Rowan just shakes his head at.
I hate being in front of an audience and thought I’d done enough of that for one day, but apparently not.
