Page 268 of The Ascended
I glanced up, raising an eyebrow.
"Go," he repeated, nodding toward Thatcher. "The ceremony won't begin for a few minutes yet."
I pushed through the crowd, which parted reluctantly before me. As I approached, I saw that Thatcher wasn't alone. Chavore stood beside him, bedecked in war regalia that glinted blindingly under Sundralis's light. Beside him clung Elysia, her fingers possessively wrapped around Chavore's arm.
"Hey," Thatcher said, giving me a small smile.
"Well don't you look the part," I replied, keeping my voice light.
He huffed a laugh. "Figured you'd have gotten used to all this by now."
Chavore's gaze drifted over me, his brow furrowing. "You're..." He trailed off, blinking rapidly as if trying to clear his vision. "Thatcher's sister, yes?"
A chill slithered down my spine.
Elysia smiled. "Her name is Thais, darling," she prompted, her fingers tightening on his arm.
"Of course," Chavore nodded, but his eyes remained unfocused, vacant. "Thais. My apologies."
"We were just discussing the celebration after the ceremony," Elysia said, her voice sickly sweet. "You must join us, Thais. Assuming you survive the Forging, of course."
The casualness of her words made my fingers twitch, but I kept my face impassive, my voice level. Used all the ridiculous formality Xül had taught me over the last few months. "Thank you for the invitation. I'll certainly have to consider it."
"We'd be honored," Chavore said.
Elysia's smile turned brittle. "I suppose we'll see how everything plays out." She tugged on Chavore's arm. "Come, darling, we should speak with your father before the ceremony begins."
Chavore followed without protest, allowing himself to be led away like a docile pet. I watched them go, unease coiling tighter in my stomach.
"What's wrong with him?" I asked quietly, once they were out of earshot.
Thatcher's expression darkened. "I told you. He's been like that since the beginning."
Chavore and Elysia disappeared into the crowd.
I caught sight of Xül across the room. Our eyes locked and my chest cinched—warmer than dread, messier. Last night's memories flickered through my mind.
Then I felt Thatcher's gaze pressing against me.I've never seen you look at someone like that.
I don't know what you're talking about.I jerked my eyes away, tried to deflect.
You can't lie to me, Thais. And it's not just you. He looks at you the same way.
It's complicated.I bumped my shoulder against Thatcher's.And don't look at me like that, with your big sad eyes.
You're allowed to feel, Thais.He mused.Our entire life in Saltcrest, you didn't allow it. But it's different now.
I hesitated, then let a small truth slip through our bond.Things have changed.
With Xül?Thatcher's curiosity pulsed through our connection.
Yes.I wasn't ready to share more, not even with Thatcher. What had happened between Xül and me still felt too fragile, too new. Too easy to shatter.
Thatcher studied me, and I felt his understanding through our bond. He wouldn't push.Whatever happens, I'm with you.
His comfort flowed through our bond, steadying me as it had countless times throughout our lives.
It's difficult to wrap my mind around any of this,I admitted.The idea of having an after at all. It doesn't feel real.
