“Focus. Open yourself up to your magic.” Cora glared at me.
A surge pulsed through me, but stilled before it ever met my fingertips.
“I am,” I snapped back at her.
“Don’t lie to me.” Cora’s crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re distracted. You could at least tell me why.”
Heat rose in my cheeks before spiraling into my chest. “You chastising me isn’t helping anything.” I sprang to my feet, stepping toward Cora.
“Fine then. We’re done for today.” Cora pulled her amber hair from her face and tied it back with a thin leather strip.
“Can you two at least wait until I’m not present to argue?” Fyn’s humming faded as he walked closer to us.
“I would be happy to, but it seems she has other plans,” Cora murmured under her breath.
“You and Lioran…you don’t just share magic? You’re in the same mood, too.” Fyn rubbed his temples.
“What are you talking about, Fyn?” Cora raised an eyebrow at him.
“His glares rival hers. Had to leave the castle to get a break from him. He’s just snapping over every little comment I make.” His shoulders shrugged. “Normally everyone likes my commentary.”
“Do they, Fyn?” I cast an icy glare at him.
“Well…most do.” He leaned back into a nearby tree, rolling a twig between his fingers. “Thought you two would be up for a little humor and fun, but seems I’m wrong as usual.”
“Everything is a joke to you, isn’t it?” My tone was sharper than I intended.
Fyn dropped the twig.
“I’m sorry. There’s a lot on my mind,” I said.
“Thinking about your new horse?” He smirked.
My glare held as his lips pursed.
“He gave you a horse?” Cora looked intrigued.
“A pretty lavish gift if you ask me…but no one asked me,” Fyn said.
I reached past Fyn, my hand running over the trunk of the tree he leaned against. The jagged bark snagged at my skin. The usual hum wasn’t there. I couldn’t feel its energy at all. Beneath his feet, brown tinged blades of grass encircled its twisted roots.
“Again?” Fyn placed his hands on the trunk. “Just fix it like the last time.”
“I didn’t cause it.” My inhale caught in my chest. “I need to tell Lioran.”
Fyn crouched beside me, his fingers trailingthe lifeless grass. “This is not really an ideal time to bring it up. I wasn’t joking about the state he’s in. Did something happen yesterday?”
“I was gifted a horse…but you already know that,” I retorted.
“He needs to know,” Cora said.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Fyn groaned as he combed his hair back.
“Consider me warned. I will tell you all about it later.” My fingers caught on the end of my braid.
“I wouldn’t miss this. I’m coming with.” Fyn chuckled. “It’s bound to be amusing.”
An amber candlelit glow illuminated the halls. Cora and Fyn led the way to Lioran’s study. As we turned the corner, I heard a regal voice, deeper than Lioran’s.
