Serenna stared after Ayla’s swaying hips, incapable of processing their interaction. Vesryn rushed me out of his chambers because she was on the way? Serenna forgot how to breathe as hot, anguished tears welled in her eyes.
The joy from the most wonderful day dissipated faster than a plume of smoke. She knew better than to assume that happiness was anything more than a breeze—temporary and fleeting.
Serenna didn’t remember descending the stairs of the Spire, the steps below her feet blurring. Her body gave an involuntary jerk when Vesryn’s presence faded in the back of her mind, leaving campus.
Traveling to Kyansari.
With Ayla.
Serenna slapped a hand over her mouth, releasing a sob before she could smother it. Her heart shattered and eroded to dust. How did I convince myself this engagement meant nothing? The prince had danced around her questions. She’d only wanted to discuss what would happen between them with the bond—if he ever intended to fully accept the connection. She needed some type of reassurance—to know something.
As her world turned upside down, Serenna’s thoughts sank like the descending sun as she entered the Spire’s courtyard. She furiously scrubbed away the dampness on her cheeks. I matter to him. Don’t I? Or does everything between us simply exist because of this bond?
The trees and buildings pressed in against her as she rushed across campus. Cutting through a lawn to avoid one of the patrols, Serenna fled to her residence hall, wishing that Velinya was around. Maybe I’m taking everything too seriously. It was obvious that she was still too attached to her human notions of relationships for the elven realm. Velinya would have advice. Her friend frequently entertained a handful of lovers with no broken hearts.
Serenna toyed with the idea of seeking Jassyn out. She could ask him to escort her to the capital’s healing grounds. And not because she was hoping to run into the prince. I only want to talk to my friend and see if she’s okay.
Entering her apartment, Serenna stopped in her tracks. The setting sun hooked on a prism on the table, scattering rainbows of light across the walls. With a scoff, she approached the Heart of Stars perched in a decorative box, a jewel on display.
That…that lout!
Serenna had completely forgotten that she’d mentioned to the prince weeks ago that she wanted to inspect the relic again—to see if she’d imagined the strange voice when she’d held it. Vesryn must’ve dropped off the Heart without her noticing when he retrieved her that morning. He’d distracted her enough by putting his mouth all over hers, so Serenna wasn’t surprised that she hadn’t noticed the container before they’d left.
Snatching the box, Serenna’s hands trembled as she glared at the Heart, recalling the time she first met the prince. Vesryn had remembered her request, but it was ridiculous if he thought that she’d be pacified by jewels.
Unable to stop herself, Serenna pointed her awareness toward the east—where Vesryn was in Kyansari. Hurt flashed through her chest like a lightning strike. I hope he chokes on his dinner. Serenna slammed the lid shut as her limbs chafed with fury.
Blinking against the fading sun, she focused all of her attention on deciphering the prince’s location. Frowning, she perceived a pull, like a fish dragging on a line. But from the west.
Did Vesryn portal somewhere else? The fainter silver cord weighed on her perception—it never had before, not to any notable degree since the prince’s presence was always glaringly bright when he was close. I thought that thread between us would glow too if we ever accepted the bond, but I’m not sure I want to now.
Serenna clenched her jaw, drawing the worst conclusions—recalling their visit to the Cerulean Basin where his seduction had led to her manifesting her force ability.
Did he take Ayla there?
A hot slice of jealousy shredded Serenna’s chest. She wasn’t resentful if Vesryn took Ayla to the waterfall—a place he’d shared with her. That wasn’t the twisted feeling in her gut. That wasn’t why a sharp breath of bitterness constricted her throat.
A weight of indecision ricocheted against Serenna’s ribs, like the wings of a bird battering a cage. I’ll ask him what’s going on. That was the sensible thing to do—lay everything out in the open and avoid this tangled communication.
I’ll ask him right now! Serenna squared her shoulders, deciding she’d dwell on it no longer. I’ll shake him until his teeth rattle out an answer!
Angling her perception toward the twin silver threads, Serenna couldn’t make sense of Vesryn’s location. He can’t be in two places at once.
Fingers clenching and unclenching around the box, Serenna paced the sitting room while her thoughts festered. I shouldn’t be spending this much time upset over a male who’s making me doubt what’s between us. She yanked the bond’s cords in irate frustration. I deserve better than that.
Fueled by a desperate need for answers, Serenna seized her power, intent on manifesting her portaling talent. I’ll use the bond to travel to Vesryn. Reaching through their connection, she strained toward the nexus hovering between them.
Serenna weighed her options, her decision volleying between the east and the west. She couldn’t open a portal if he was at the palace—the rift could slice a bystander in half. Blowing out a breath, she sent her entire awareness toward the cord in the direction of the setting sun.
Diving into her power, Serenna’s magic rushed to her like a raging tide. Essence whirled around the room. She ignored the nagging feeling that she might be doing something exceptionally foolish because a male was involved. But she refused to be strung along like some bonded pet.
Recalling a conversation about manifesting portaling with Velinya, Serenna sank into the emotions that she knew would be needed to drag her ability to the surface of her Well—trust and longing. She could snap herself into a talent if she tried. I don’t need the prince prying my magic out for me.
Serenna tunneled into her Well, searching for her talent. I’ll trust the stars. And I’ll trust myself too. Closing her eyes, she released a frustrated huff, pouring every ounce of emotion into her power. Fine, I’ll use longing for the prince but only because I “long” to know what’s going on.
Letting herself drift, magic burst from Serenna. Not a sputter, but a roar, fountaining across the sitting room. Hauling herself away from tumbling into a spiraling pit of emotion, she cleared her mind to rebalance herself.
A rift split the air, opening a dark portal. Serenna gaped, shocked that she’d effortlessly called the talent on her own. Of course the only time I’m motivated enough is when a male is involved.
Serenna wasn’t sure why she carried the decorative container Vesryn had left behind. It might as well be her own stupid heart in the box. She’d just throw it at his head if she didn’t like what he had to say for himself.
Serenna lifted her chin, stalking through the gateway to confront the prince.
CHAPTER 21
SERENNA
Bustling out from the portal, Serenna strode into a wall of shadows. Her body went rigid as she lost control of her limbs to the mob of rending. The box she carried tumbled out of her numb fingers, bouncing to a stone floor. Expecting gravel underneath her boots, she briefly frowned at the silver veins threaded through the polished marble before glaring at the shadows.
Compounding frustration toward the prince had her grinding her teeth. I portaled for the first time and he’s still testing me?
Serenna couldn’t see anything beyond the midnight cloud, but she could perceive Vesryn’s presence on the other side. Alarmed and irate.
Irritably drawing on her experience from practicing with the prince, Serenna whipped a gale of her own rending. She sliced through the shadowy shackles, incensed enough to summon the destructive talent without a second thought.
Regaining control of her body, Serenna stumbled through the dissipating magic, running into the longest table she’d ever seen. Her fingertips skidded against the grains of ironwood as she righted herself. Scattered papers, maps, and figurines—representing what she assumed were cities or armies—lay arranged before her.
Did I portal to the capital’s war room? I thought I was going to the waterfall.
