Page 71 of Wonder

“But neither of us has the skills of a magic carrier with DM abilities. We can’t hold enough connections, and we can’t get emotions or locations through the connections we have.”

His face went oddly blank. “Is that something either of you would want? To have those abilities, I mean?”

I huffed a laugh. “I promise you, Reno doesnotwant to have DM abilities. Me? Well, if it were possible, I think I’d be pretty good at it.”

“Okay. Give me your hand.” He held one of his out, palm up.

“What?” Did he mean...?

He rolled his eyes. “I’m still genetically part of the royal family. I might not be able to do it at a distance like they did before the portal closed, but I know how to transfer magical talents. It’s instinct.”

Hesitantly I put my hand in his. Out on the field, Reno, who’d been preparing to pitch, straightened up and cocked his head at us. Nicky closed his eyes, then nodded and dropped my hand. “There you go.” He looked back toward the game. “Why are they all staring at us?”

“I—” I gazed down at my core, where the wheel was spinning faster and faster. My magic burst out of me in a dazzling explosion, reaching out to the edges of the District.

Click. The magic retreated back into my body in a rush, and I snapped into place. Like I’d been unmoored and drifting my entire life, but now I was home and secure. Only my mating with Reno had been more emotionally satisfying.

I rubbed my chest as the connections I had with some of the Wonders in the District changed. I knew exactly where each of them was, and if I focused, I could get a general idea of their overall mood.

“Simon?” Reno was standing on the bleacher below us.

I wiped the tears from my cheeks and grinned at him. “The new District Monitor is here.”

His eyes widened, and he looked between me and Nicky. “You? You wanted this?”

I nodded, and he stepped up to wrap me in a big hug. “Congratulations. I love you. We’re the luckiest District in the world to get you as the DM.” He sent happiness and pride through our bond.

“Thanks. I love you too.”

As Reno shouted the news to all the Wonders, and they crowded around to congratulate me and start our connections, I knew it wasn’t this District who was lucky.

It was me.