Page 123 of A Sunwoven Ascent

“I said shift!” Kaldrek’s voice rang out, firm and unmistakably commanding. “Now, Holden!”

Holden’s growl deepened, vibrating through the corridor. He paused suddenly, his eyes snapping back toward the room—and toward Aurelia, who now stood watching.

Heidara let out a small, almost delighted giggle. “Oh my. Well, this is interesting.” She looked at Evelyne. “I’ll see you at camp. Good luck.”

Before Evelyne could respond, Heidara slipped past them and out the door, her brother following close behind. The sound of bones snapping echoed from just outside as both shifted.

Kaldrek paused only briefly, glancing back over his shoulder. “You’re not sick, Aurelia. Just—drink water and get some rest.” He took one step toward the door before adding to Evelyne, “She should calm down shortly. Stay with your sister tonight and I’ll be by tomorrow morning. I promise I’ll explain everything.”

And then he was gone, running after his packmates and shifting as well.

Evelyne stood there, staring at the empty doorway, her thoughts spinning.

What in the hell was that?

***

Kaldrek was right, of course.

Aurelia calmed nearly two hours after the incident, which left Evelyne free to be irritated with him. Very irritated. He had said he would return in the morning, and since Aurelia was now safe, Evelyne felt no guilt letting her frustration flood through their bond. She was furious that he was leaving her in the dark.

He knew it too, because every hour or so, he sent the same reassurance.

I promise everything is fine. I only need to be with Holden right now. I will be back.

Then, naturally, she became angry with herself for being angry at all. Perhaps Holden truly did need him, and here she was being petty.

Aurelia sat near the pianoforte, playing a familiar melody Evelyne had heard countless times before. Only now did Evelyne realize her sister chose that tune when her nerves were at their worst. It was her way of calming herself. So instead of pestering her, as she might have done as a younger girl, Evelyne remained on the couch with a book in her lap.

At last, Aurelia stopped playing and turned on the bench.

“Evelyne?” Her voice carried enough concern that Evelyne closed her book at once. “I think there is something wrong with me.”

“Whatever do you mean? If you are speaking of earlier, I think it may have been some sort of stress-induced panic. You look much better now.”

“No, that is not what I mean.” Aurelia waved the thought aside. “I look at you and Cillian, and you both seem so suited to this new life.” Her fingers twisted in her lap. “While I am failing miserably.”

Evelyne’s brows drew together. “No, that is not true. Look at you. You are safe, recovering, and still entirely yourself. Cillian and I have struggled too. We still are.”

Aurelia sighed.

“You may not see it,” Evelyne continued, “but Cillian despises his wolf. He has not shifted since the first time, and only recently began to find anything good in what he has become. Holden has helped him more than I expected.”

“Holden?” Aurelia winced.

Evelyne laughed. “That was my reaction as well. But yes, he has been a steady friend to Cillian.”

“Well, you seem to have taken to it rather easily.”

“I would be lying if I said I did not love parts of it,” Evelyne admitted. “But that does not mean it has been easy. If not for Ironwolf, I would not be who I am now.”

Aurelia lowered her eyes to her shoes. “I pushed away everyone who might have helped me. Mother cannot bear that I refuse to return to Leopold, but I simply cannot face him after what he tried to do. After what he said.”

Evelyne’s words came carefully. “What happened between you?”

Aurelia looked up at her and let out a long breath. “We were in our chambers the night I first shifted. He had just come from the bath, and I was wearing my silk nightgown—the pale blue one he always liked on the nights we…” She paused, closing her eyes briefly. “On the nights we tried to conceive.”

A faint, fragile smile touched her lips before fading just as quickly.