These words repeat with every step we take back to the academy. It felt like a warning against using this power to make a wish. Every word of caution Mother ever spoke to me returns, and the confidence I’d felt earlier wanes some.
What if…wishing on the World will only harm us in the end?
It’s hard to imagine a world I’d like less than this one. But then I think of Arina. I think of losing her, too. Of all we have lost…Mother, Bristara, Jura, the sister I knew…
I have no choice but to move forward. Failure isn’t an option, and I won’t let King Naethor win. That’s why as soon as my feet cross the threshold of the academy once more, I head to the dormitories.
I’m not wasting a second more. All Coins Day is too close, and I’ll be able to postpone the Worldkeepers for only so long before their restlessness prompts them to take actions that I might not like.
When I reach the upper levels, students and initiates cast uncertain looks my way as I stride with purpose, but I say nothing to them.
All eyes turn to me as I enter the main common area for students, and a few people rise to their feet, Luren and Sorza among them. I hardly regard them, a singular mission propelling me. Striding underneath the archway capped with a golden coin, I’m no more than five steps up the staircase to the Coins common area when a perfume of cedar and allspice hits my nose. Cresting the stairwell, I get my first look at the Vault, the sanctuary of House Coins.
It is vastly different from Bladehaven, the private area for House Swords. Which makes sense, seeing as the common areas reflect the houses and suits they’re modeled after.
Golden light streams through large windows embedded in the vaulted ceiling. It washes over the foliage that thrives in the large planters hung from the rafters with thick chains. Their vines trellis down around pillars and carpet the floor with overgrowth. Wooden benches that one might expect to see among the trees of River Parkare here covered with luxurious blankets and plush duvets. Pillows are piled in arcs around fireplaces for students to lounge.
I take in only as much detail as necessary to locate Thal. Thankfully, they’re here.
“Thal,” I say.
Their head tips back, hazel eyes meeting mine as I approach. There’s a moment of surprise and then…recognition.
They look to the others around them. “I’ve business with the professor, if you’ll excuse me.”
It’s rare to see professors personally coming to the dormitories. Usually, meetings occur in classrooms and offices. Other students are clearly curious about this oddity, but they say nothing of it and merely smile and nod. Coins are polite ones, for sure. But they can trade gossip like currency.
Thal follows me down the stairs and through the main student common area. I guide us swiftly into a study room down the hall where I’m more confident we can speak freely.
“No,” they say as the door snaps shut.
“I have no other choice.” I keep my tone gentle but my intention clear. I’m not here to ask. I’m here to demand andhopethey don’t hold firm. “Look, I know I’m crossing a boundary by even asking. I know you don’t want this, and I’m sorry. But I have no other choice. I need her.” I swallow thickly, hating what I’m about to admit aloud, to them and to myself. “Foremost because she’s my sister, but also because she’s a Major like us—she’s the Star. The World cannot be summoned without her. Someone is going to get her to ink her golden card, and it’s going to be far gentler if we are the ones to do it.”
My chances of getting them on my side are dwindling by the second. I can tell from their slight scowl.
“I’m being honest with you because I respect you, and I want you to hear me out.” I finish, “And if you were merely going to refuse me outright, you would’ve done so in the common room.”
“I couldn’t have turned down a professor so publicly,” they counter.
“You would’ve found a way.” Of that, I’m sure.
They let out a sigh of resignation. “I knew you’d come back seeking more of my power despite my warnings.”
“Thal…I respect how hard this is for you. What do I need to do to make you feel better about helping Arina? What can I do that would put your mind at ease?”
They round the table of this small study room and head to the window, staring out at the mountain that I’ve only just learned holds the Stone Citadel. They’re silent for long enough that I nearly prompt them for some kind of response or decision. But I wait.
They tap their fingertips on the windowsill and say, “I’ll come and go to her as I please.” They shift, meeting my eyes once more. There’s a weight and a seriousness to their expression that feels different from before.
“And you’ll use your card on her?”
“Yes.” They sigh heavily. “But if I am to do this again, I’m trying something new. I will not haphazardly administer the power of my card. I have a plan I want to try.”
“Can I know what it is?” I try to ask in a way that indicates I’m not going to argue, I’m merely curious.
“I think you were onto something with the idea of using the card to show her she’s safe. I also think your friend was right in allowing her to talk about what happened.”
“But that only made her worse,” I say hesitantly.
