Page 7 of A Touch of Stars and Stones (Kirrian #1)

Rowan dismisses us, and I take the opportunity and head for The Chamber’s residence wing.

It’s been several weeks since I’ve visited, but I shouldn’t let my newly developed hatred for my father tarnish the relationship I have with my mother.

She, after all, saved me. And while that shouldn’t be shocking, it is something I’m learning to adjust to.

I make my way through The Court’s districts to the centre of the spiral city and head up the main road to The Tower, taking the door to the left that will lead me along to The Chamber member’s residence wing.

I’ve lived here all my life. The hallways and corridors are home, yet they feel different now that my path has changed.

As I approach our apartment door, I see the two officers placed outside—Warriors—and wonder when that became a thing. I steel myself and walk right past them, not giving them a chance to stop or question my presence there.

Once inside, I glance around. Nothing has changed since I moved out, which is customary, but I expected something to be different after Father publicly shunned me.

“Mother?” I walk through the hall and into the living room ahead. She’s standing next to the floor-to-ceiling arched windows leading out onto the small balcony. Staring. “Mother?” I call again, this time gently, to try and pull her from her gaze.

“Oh, Aten.” She turns to me, but the faraway look lingers in her warm eyes.

“Is everything okay? I can come back later,” I offer, but I already know she won’t accept that. Strange. I’d never assumed that before, but now…

“Can I get you anything?” she offers back.

“Water, if you have time.”

“Always, for you.” She wafts past me, and I take up position on the usual chair that I’d sit in when this was my home, and I ventured into this room.

She returns with two slender glasses and joins me on the plush green sofa. “How’s training?”

“Fine. Good.” It’s the truth. Although…

“You want to ask me about my Guard magic?” She finishes my thought for me.

“Yes. It’s, well, I still can’t pinpoint exactly what it does.

” I had been putting this conversation off, but while that wasn’t my direct intent, it’s been weighing on me.

I’d been so in control of the Warrior traits I’d inherited and drawn on for all my life.

It was second nature. Obvious. But now that has shifted.

“You’ve not been ready before now. I know you’re angry.”

“Please, Mother. If you don’t—” The anger she speaks of stirs in my veins.

“Sit down, Aten.”

My teeth clench, but I do as she says. This conversation is long overdue.

“It’s always different,” she starts, but pulls her gaze back towards the window.

“As is every magic in Kirrasia. It depends on so many facets: when you were born within Aslendrix’s cycle, your parents’ gifts, the timing of your Transference, and who gives you their magic.

Even Aslendrix herself. This is why training is so important.

Because after the ceremony, everything will change. ”

“Not for Calix or Crimson,” I protest, and I can’t keep the slight edge of envy from my voice.

“Maybe. They were born under a quarter moon. Their heritage is Warrior. Their latent ability is Warrior, and both their parents are Warrior. So, it’s no surprise what their magic is. But they will still have a lot to learn. And they will also be vulnerable.”

My brows furrow at this. Calix is even stronger now than he was. And he’s not shy in making that point.

“You don’t believe me.” She tilts her head at me.

“I’m yet to see what you mean by them being vulnerable.”

She shifts in her position, bringing her gaze firmly back to me.

“You know you are powerful. Aslendrix blessed us when you were born under the full moon. But you also have my blood. Guards are rarer than Warriors because they are more powerful. Don’t think solely in terms of physical strength.

That’s your father’s influence, and while strong, it’s not your whole. ”

“But what?—”

She brings her finger to her lips, silencing me.

“This is your magic to understand, Aten. I can’t do that for you.

That is what training and the tests are for.

Trust the process, but trust your own magic, too.

Lean into your instincts. Lean into your thoughts.

Your mind is a powerful tool, much stronger than your arm might be.

” She stands and heads back to her position at the window as if resuming her vigil.

I watch her for a moment and let her words sink in.

The only other Guard in training is Azur Leo. If Mother is going to remain cryptic, I might have to play nice with him to get some straight answers.

“I’ll visit soon.”

“Perhaps.” She doesn’t turn to look at me or say goodbye, but I can feel a strange pulse in my blood, like a presence, a shadow ghosting over me.

“Be safe.” They aren’t the words I wanted to say. I wanted to ask more questions, find out why, if a Guard was as powerful as she was suggesting, I’d never seen or felt any of her magic growing up.

Aslendrix did bless us with magic, but it was on her terms. And while she gave it freely, she also took it away, as if proving her power over us.

One way or another, everyone would lose the magic she blessed you with, either fading quickly until just an essence is left after being an Advocate for someone at their Transference, or gradually growing more unstable and fading if you kept it into older age.

Either way, Aslendrix always saw that her rule prevailed, measures and checks were kept, and power was balanced.

My mother was my Advocate. The heaviest words in my heart I keep unsaid, the words of thanks, still stuck in my throat, refusing to cooperate. I hope she knows that beneath my anger and hurt at my father, there is a depth of gratitude for her.

And as if in response to my thought, that strange pulse starts again. Less alarming this time.

I leave.