Page 93 of A Fate in Flames

Tavrik’s gaze bounced between us.

“You see!”I jabbed a finger toward Theo while maintaining eye contact with Tavrik.“And now you have the misfortune of joining me in my misery.”

Theo scoffed.“You’re annoying too, you know.”

I gasped in mock horror, placing a hand over my heart.The words of my retort died as the door swung open.

Mira glided in, pausing in surprise to find us all gathered so early.

“Hi, Mira,” Theo drawled, flashing her one of his wicked grins.

Heat flushed her cheeks.She cleared her throat, straightening her posture.

“I was going back to the library today.Would you like to come with me?”

I beamed.“I’d love to.”

Any reason to get out of this stuffy room was fine by me.I shot to my feet and shooed them away, physically shoving Theo out the door while Mira lingered behind to help me dress.

She practically buzzed with excitement, launching into her story about the night before.

She rambled about how Theo had found her—how thrilling it had been.Her hands moving with exaggerated flair.

“It was just so…” she sighed, pressing her palm to her heart, completely lost in her own thoughts.

I was forever thankful she didn’t finish her sentence.

Once finished, we stepped out into the hallway.Theo and Tavrik were already waiting.

We made it to the open walkway, our pace slowing as we approached the railing.I leaned against the sun-warmed stone, absorbing the view.From this height, the world below seemed small—endless emerald fields dotted with tiny, almost indistinguishable structures.The breeze carried the scent of earth and grass.

Mira stood beside me, her fingers drumming a steady rhythm, studying me.Wisps of her hair danced around her face in the gentle wind.

“What are you thinking about?”I asked.

A group of people drifted past us, their arms straining under the weight of leather-bound books.Their sandals scraped against the floor as they shuffled toward the library.

“I’m just glad you’re here.”She planted her elbows on the railing, squinting as the sunlight cast golden highlights across her cheekbones.

“You remind me so much of my sisters.Not how you look, but—” She swallowed, brow creasing into delicate lines.“Howyou are.It’s been so long since I’ve thought of them, but since you’ve come here, they have filled my mind like water rushing into an empty well.”

She reached up with a fingertip to catch a tear before it could fall from the corner of her eye.

“Over time here, it’s almost as if the memories began to fade.I got so caught up in this world that I didn’t even stop to wonder if they were okay.”

Her shoulders trembled as she laughed through the tears.“You must think I’m a terrible person.”

I pulled her against my side, wrapping an arm around her.Her body softened.

“I wouldneverthink that way of you.”I gently angled her to face me.“I already feel the same, and I haven’t even been here as long as you have.”I rubbed her arm reassuringly before linking our elbows together.We continued toward the library.

Behind us, Theo’s voice rose and fell as he gestured wildly at Tavrik, whose jaw looked like it was about to shatter.I caught fragments about Tavrik’s snoring, with Theo miming the sound while clutching his ears.

I shook my head.“Would you ever go back?”

The question hung in the air between us.

“Honestly, I don’t think I would.I’d be terrified of him still being there, of what he would do if he found me again.”Her expression turned solemn, the light in her honey eyes dimming.