Page 19

FATED KHORDA

“ A h, new attire, I see. You’ve been branded a mystery, I dare say,” Rhaegar stated, taking a seat next to me and placing a plate of bacon and eggs on the table.

“Wonderful,” I grumbled.

“I’d look at it as an opportunity. Keeping others on their toes … or off them, in my case,” he joked, flashing me a broad smile.

I returned it and touched his arm briefly, grateful for his encouragement and sense of humor. “I’m sorry. I recall tossing you through the air.” My shoulders slumped.

“Ah, don’t vex yourself. It was bloody brilliant.” He chuckled, digging into his food.

“He’s right, you know. People may think twice before messing with you. I call dibs on you for the Winnowing Trials.” Breena pointed one finger at me, squinting. “That was a given anyway.” She took a big bite out of a banana.

“All right, spill. People keep dropping hints without saying much.” Letti looked around the table, her stare landing on Xeni, whose mouth quirked as she chewed slowly. Swallowing, she rested her spoon in her empty bowl.

Now that Xeni spent more time with the group—or rather, Letti—we had learned that she was part of Gavrel’s unit and had been for the last two turns. She was from the easternmost edge of Haadra.

“There’s often chatter about the festivities before the Elders gather everyone. Gossip spreads like Pyria fire throughout the training field.” Her voice was soothing and composed. “Basically, we celebrate the end of the Dormancy with various events, a ball, and a competition. The tournament is only for Druiks and Draumrs who wish to compete. There is often some sort of highly desirable prize for the victor.”

“Thank you,” Letti said, placing a kiss on Xeni’s cheek. Xeni smiled, embracing my sister’s hand on top of the table. Her rune tattoo, in the shape of three small interconnecting decagons, flashed silver between her thumb and forefinger.

“Whatever the prize is, we’re in. Dibs on you and you and you,” Breena insisted as she pointed the last bit of her banana at me, Kaden, and Rhaegar. “Xeni, I’d absolutely put dibs on you, but I heard we can only have four per team. You in to be backup?”

“Ah, I’ll probably sit this one out.” Xeni bowed, her mouth curving faintly.

“Feck. I’m gonna hunt down Gavrel for my reserve,” Breena mumbled, brow furrowing and fingers snapping as she left us.

Kaden plunked the cup he was holding on the table. “What in the ever-loving void just happened? Were we just volunteered for the tournament against our will?”

“Yep.” I laughed, kissing his cheek and jaw. Lettie’s big eyes widened, and she smirked, her shoulders dancing up and down. Shrugging, I blushed as I savored a particularly juicy peach.

Lately, everyone was aware or suspected that Kaden and I were more than friends. I sighed, knowing that I might as well get used to it. I was tired of denying it anyway.

“Come here, you little humming peach monster.” Kaden wrapped his arm around my shoulders, squeezing me into his side.

I nestled there, basking in his warmth, smiling when I realized I’d been humming again. Well, peaches were my favorite.

Letti reached for my hand across the table. “Join me in the library?”

“Sure, let’s go. I’m sure Mr. Burlam would love to see me on my day off.” I chuckled, wiping my fingers on a cloth napkin.

As we headed to the library, the palace was quiet this morning. Most people were probably sleeping in if they could or wandering the grounds.

“So, you and Kaden. Hate to say I told you so, but?—”

I interrupted, “You and Xeni, huh?”

“That’s old news, but yeah. She’s pretty amazing.” Letti was beaming, her hazel eyes lighting up with flecks of sparkling gold.

“I’m happy for you, sis. Xeni is wonderful. I like how she watches out for you.” I gave her a side hug. “And yes, Kaden and I are … having fun,” I muttered, heat prickling up my neck. Thoughts of this morning prodded my mind.

Letti giggled, “I bet. Twenty-one turns is a long time to wait.”

“Oh, hush. I didn’t always think of him this way.”

“That doesn’t mean he didn’t,” she stated, raising her brows and pinching her lips together.

As we walked in silence, the weight of her comment pressed into me, my spine stiffening. Glimpses of moments spun through me. Lingering looks. Touches. How Kaden had always been within reach. Was I that clueless? If he had wanted more than friendship for—however long—was it selfish of me to be with him now? We were both consenting adults …

I wasn’t entirely sure of what I felt. Of course, I loved him. I’d always loved him because he was my best friend. My rock. I was terrified of losing my heart to him in an entirely different way. In a way that caused me to lose my footing. That shook my entire world.

But then again, we’d forget all this when the Dormancy was over.

I chewed the inside of my cheek, confusion and anxiety washing over me. If I let myself fall down that endless, coiling hole, I feared I’d lose my mind without ever recovering it.

My cheeks puffed as I blew air out. I muttered, “Maybe. Am I that oblivious?”

“Yeah. You are.” She laughed. “A couple of summers ago, I thought something was going on with you and Gav. Kaden was so moody then.”

“What?” I squeaked, distracted from my spiraling worries. “Bollocks. I’ve never had anything more with Gavrel. He’s like our big brother.”

She smirked, holding up her hands. “Well, he’s not our brother. And he’s ridiculously good-looking.” Her fingers tickled my side, and I squealed, swatting her as I ran ahead.

Our laughter immediately hushed as we stepped into the library. Mr. Burlam was at his desk, one bushy eyebrow raised as we passed him. “Can’t stay away, I see,” he grumbled.

“Never, Mr. Burlam. I’d miss you too much,” I chirped, grinning brightly. His head swung from side to side in disbelief, papery cheeks turning a pallid shade of pink as he shuffled papers on his desk.

We made our way to the back of the library, collecting a few books and settling at my favorite table tucked near the curling staircases.

“Aren’t you afraid?” I asked, pausing mid-sentence in the book I was reading.

Letti’s eyes found mine. “Hmmm?”

“Of getting close to someone when you’re going to forget your time here.”

She shrugged. “A bit. But this is our life. Half in. Half out. I don’t want to let fear stop me from living any part of it. Stop me from experiencing joy when I can. If this is all a dream, we might as well enjoy it.”

My lips curled. “How’d you get so wise?”

“Not my fault I was born with all the brains,” she jested, and I snorted, picking my book up.

Throughout the morning, we read, joked, and talked about life in a way only sisters could. Spending time with Letti was a balm to my frazzled edges. Her very presence often offered comfort to everyone around her.

My eyes softened as I tipped my head to the side, studying Letti. I was so proud of the person she was. Loyal and honest. Supportive and hardworking.

She looked up from her book and stuck her tongue out, her eyes squeezing shut. Shaking my head, I laughed.

She set down the novel she was reading, her brow furrowing. “Do you think Mama and Father were khorda? I don’t,” she murmured, concentrating on the pages splayed open on the table.

There were tales throughout history of three sister Fates helping the Ancients weaken Druiks so that mortal ember would not become overwhelmingly powerful. It was believed that Druiks were born with half their soul, the other half cleaved from them and gifted to another—Druik or human.

Their mirrored soul.

Their fated khorda.

I shrugged. “Why do you ask?” I didn’t think our parents were fated, but I waited, seeing where Letti was going with this train of thought.

Letti traced over the yellowed page, her fingertip leading her. “It says here … ‘If a Druik unites with their fated through the Kollao Ceremony, their soul and ember become whole again. The aging of their bodies and lifespans tied to one another intricately.’ Downside—when one dies, the other dies not long after.” She leaned back, regarding me. “I mean, father isn’t dead. So, either Mama is alive, or they weren’t khorda. Or they never went through the ceremony.”

“Or all of the above,” I muttered, closing the book I’d been perusing. “I’ve never heard of anyone finding their other half, but I suppose in Midst Fall, most Druiks hide, go missing, or are recruited to the Akridais.” I slumped in my chair, the wood rasping beneath me. “You think Mama was a Druik?”

“It would make sense. You inherited your gift from someone, and I doubt Father has any. If he did, he’d be best buddies with the Elders.” She snorted.

A frown pulled my mouth downward. “You’re probably right. Well, I’m surprised the Fates gave us mere mortals a choice. With the Kollao Ceremony, that is.”

Letti’s face fell. “Mortals? You’ll live much longer than me if I’m not a Druik … or if I don’t undergo the ceremony with my fated Druik.” Her voice hitched, catching in her throat. We both knew the odds of finding one’s khorda were infinitesimal. Letti swallowed, tucking her golden hair behind her ears. “There’s always a choice, Ser. The Fates can bugger off.”

I tucked my lips between my teeth, words sticking within my chest. Awkwardly, I reached across the leather tombs, stretching my upper body over the table and scooping Letti into a clumsy hug. “I love you. And will always be with you, no matter which realm our souls wander.”

She exhaled, her body deflating within my embrace, and then wrapped her arms around my shoulder blades, nuzzling her face into my hair.

“You’re bloody right you will. Love you, sister,” she murmured after a moment. When we pulled apart, our eyes were shining mirrors, reflecting our bond back to one another.