Page 61 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
I remember Ever’s face when we were here the other day, when she touched the stone, something happened, but she played it off. A secret she didn’t want to share. That’s fine. We all have them, but maybe it’s connected?
The word Fifth starts on the lips of people watching, adding to the noise and confusion.
“Ten, what in Aslendrix?” Calix is next to me with a questioning look shadowed on his face.
“What?” I snap and then look around. The Orders have all stepped back, talking, discussing, no doubt, the fact that we’ve just had a Fifth announced.
“Let’s go.”
“No.” I scowl and look back at Ever.
“Leave her. Come on.” Crimson appears at his flank, and I look between them and to Ever, who still seems only semi-conscious.
I shake my head, and my jaw clenches, waiting for the backlash. “She’s one of us, whether you like it or not,” I say with defiance in my voice. “We should help her.”
Calix looks torn, but it’s Crimson, with her narrowed eyes, who says, “So much for nothing between you two.”
The Transference ceremony hasn’t even finished, but there’s no celebration, no music, and people are leaving, as if Aslendrix cursed Ever herself. But I am not going to leave her. I shove past Calix to find Kamari.
“Do you know what just happened?” I ask her as people continue to disperse. Only the Order heads, Custodians, and a few others remain, preoccupied with their next step now Aslendrix has granted someone a Fifth.
“That is not for here or now. I believe we’ll all need an education after this.”
“Stop with the bullshit. What in the Goddess happened?”
“She is a Fifth. Plain and simple. Rare. Extremely rare. This was destined, and nothing would change that.”
“What does that mean? Will she be?—”
“She’s fine, Aten. Stay and watch the completion, or go. It is up to you. I have a feeling she will need friends. Even more now.” Kamari nods and indicates Ever standing to her feet with Lyle’s help, making her way over to the Maker.
Relief slices through to me, and I sigh.
So much for keeping my distance or keeping my feelings at bay. With Ever, they seem to just be instinctual. Like I’m meant to watch out for her.
She looked beautiful tonight. The fitted dress accentuated her slim figure, with just the right amount of curves to tempt and make me wonder exactly how they’d feel under my touch. She stood in the moonlight, silver light dancing around the crown of her flame hair as she stepped up, as if she were royalty. And she stole my breath.
Until her face twisted and contorted in pain and anguish.
My memory replays the similar look on her face as she dropped to the ground the night I grabbed her arm when she wore an equally pretty dress. The anger in my veins feels heightened since that first time. And I don’t want to know how I’ll feel if I have to see her in pain again.
Maybe she should stay clear of dresses and keep to training pants or leathers. My mind conjures her in the traditional Warrior uniform, close-cut and figure-hugging, and I lock down the thought, guilt addling my stomach for thinking of her like that after all she’s been through tonight.
When I glance back, she’s righted herself and now stands before the Maker, who places a gold chain and pendant around her neck. There’s no mistaking the wicked look Ever graces her with. Steel and fire and full of anger. There’s no fear in her eyes now.She’s incredible. I wonder if she feels different now that she knows. If the fear of the unknown has been banished and a new side to Ever has been released.
I stay unmoving and observe as Lyle leads her away. Closely followed by Kyra and Micah, the procession of Order members, including my father, and custodians behind her.
But it’s Micah who looks back over his shoulder at me, a smirk on his face, as he helps escort Ever out of the clearing, and I have to wonder what he’s trying to prove to me. It flares something in my chest that sours my mood further, and I wrestle with it until there’s barely anyone left around me.
As the clearing quietens, Aslendrix’s light returns, brightening the ground and casting a familiar warm silver glow over the stone once again. I sit down on the grass and think back to my Transference again. It filled me with shame and embarrassment. Disappointment. And a new sense of something awakening, like my new mix of magic was charging up inside me.
But not pain. Not physical pain.
And I realise, if Ever is brave enough to stand up and snarl at the Maker for putting her through this, then I should be strong enough to embrace my new Order and the powers it brings.
I’m done letting this shadow me.
As if Aslendrix heard my silent vow, my mind unfurls, my eyes sharpen, and my next steps become the obvious path before me.
