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A few years after being taken in by Eamon, Nikan used his terbis abilities—since I couldn’t manipulate as well—to create the ledge on the side of Morah and Malina bent the light so that it wouldn’t be visible from below. Out on the ledge, it was like we were floating above the world, leaving all our troubles and our past below us. Our secret place, just for the three of us. Not even Eamon knew.
“Yeah, I miss it too.” And I wondered if—no, when—I would be able to be here again.
We sat there under the stars in silence for several minutes, taking in the breathtaking view of the night sky. I had always loved gazing at the stars, a passion of mine. As a child, I spent the better part of a year staring up at them and reading every book I could find about the different stars and galaxies and constellations. I was fascinated—near to the point of obsession. By the time I had turned twelve, I had them all committed to memory, and every time I came out here, I would point them out to Malina or Nikan.
“Where do you think they are?” Malina asked after a few moments.
I didn’t need to ask whotheywere, I knew she meant our parents. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure that they do.”
Malina and I were lucky to live in a small village on the border of Atara and our families survived the Glaev, just barely escaping death that night—except Nikan’s. His family lived farther inland, and he lost his parents and his little sister while he was traveling. He came back to a nightmare. With the Atara Nation destroyed, our people no longer had a home, nowhere to go except the Drift Islands. Both of our parents sacrificed being with us so that we wouldn’t have to live a life on the islands with no abilities, suffering day after day. They wanted us to have a better life here in Ilrek. I understood that. Malina did too. But it didn’t mean we were happy about it. We missed our parents.
For a long time, I hated the Lords and Ladies of the other Nations. I hated the laws of Riyah. No one would take in my people. Few Atarans had survived and I didn’t understand how the Worthy could be so heartless. They knew what had happened, they had to. An entire Nation was completely decimated. I understood the laws, but I still hated them for it.
True to their name, the islands drifted in the sea, with no attachment to the seabed below. No one fully understood how it worked, but Sages said that the Spirits of the sea drew them near when they were needed most, only to be lost over the horizon once again.
I missed my home, I missed my parents. I would do just about anything to see them again. And if I were to be Worthy, I could bring them back. I pondered on telling Malina my plan but I ultimately decided against it, not wanting to give her uncertain hope.
“Well, that’s enough of that.” Malina sat up and grabbed my hand to pull me up to sit with her. “Let’s get on to the real concern: we have to get you laid as much as possible between now and when you leave.” Her face was completely serious and I gawked at her.
Laughter erupted out of me, then her, tears springing from our eyes.
“That’s your biggest concern? Not to spend quality time with me and make long lasting memories before my departure?”
She placed her hand over her heart. “I would think that you would have been corrupted by me enough by now to realize where your priorities should lie.”
After a moment she added, “I wonder what it’s like to bone a Worthy.”
My mouth fell open.
I can’t believe she just saidthat.
Malina looked confused at my shocked expression. “What? I’m just saying—I mean, think about it.” Her eyes lit with excitement. “They get all that non-elemental magic, it has to show forsomethingother than power.”
“Oh my Gods, they don’t get magical dicks Mal. That’s not how it works!” I huffed a laugh, still in disbelief.
She shrugged her shoulders. After a few moments we fell into a comfortable silence, soaking in each other’s presence before finally going back to our rooms.
I struggled to clear my mind, thinking of the Trial. It consumed my thoughts. Staring at my ceiling while lying in bed, I realized what I could do to distract myself so I could sleep. A cunning smile crossed my lips.
One last time.
I stood on the obsidian floor of my room, closed my eyes in concentration, and lifted to my toes before slamming my heels back down. I felt the slight rumble of the floor as it shifted down the hall. I wasn’t able to manipulate much, but I had spent years perfecting this one particular skill.
“Ah! Kya, enough of that shit! You sunk my bed completely into the floor this time.” I heard Mal scream from her bedchamber.
I giggled and pictured her pissed off face level with the glass floor. I felt her steps coming from down the hall and rushed to lock my door just before she started banging on it. I quickly jumped back into bed and closed my eyes, a smile on my face as I heard her grumbling from the other side of the door. I swiftly fell into a dreamless sleep, with no thoughts of the Trial worrying my mind.
The next few days seemed to pass in a blur. I occupied myself by training with Malina—delayed in her mission, no doubt because of me—and going over and over the books about theTrial. Malina had gathered the needed supplies for my journey from the tradespeople of Ilrek.
It was my last night before departure, and I hated goodbyes. I always left under the cover of darkness while everyone slept, and this time was no different.
After assembling my pack with weapons, clothing, books, and a few rations of food and water, I drafted three letters at my small wooden desk by the window. I dressed in my leathers, braided my hair behind my back, and grabbed my now-filled pack and the letters before leaving my bedchamber for what was likely the last time. I slid each letter under the doors of their receiver. Malina would be pissed I didn’t say goodbye, but she was used to it by now, and I knew that Eamon understood.
I only hoped that my letter to Nikan would patch things up as best it could. But ink on a piece of parchment could only do so much. It was my only regret as I left Morah.
If I survive, I’ll make things right.
Chapter Eight
