Page 126 of Tale of the Heart Queen

“What just happened?” I ask, but I think I already know.

We bestowed the first threads of magic on you and your siblings.

“Was that . . .?” Tristan adds.

“Magic,” I say as footsteps pound down the corridor and Nadir and Amya appear at the door.

“We saw Lor’s lightning,” Nadir says. “Is everything okay?”

“It wasn’t me,” I say. “It was Willow.”

CHAPTER 45

“What?” Amya asks. “Willow?”

My sister shakes her head and rubs her chest again. “I feel something. I think . . .”

The Aurora Prince and Princess then take note of our surroundings. It’s impossible to miss the thick carpets of flowers and vines climbing over every surface.

“What happened?” Nadir asks.

“We were standing here, hugging,” I say, “and they started growing.”

“And then one of the vines showed me I have magic.”

“You felt it,” I say. “When we came in here.”

The corner of her mouth ticks up in an uncertain smile. “I didn’t know that’s what I was feeling.”

“Willow! You have magic?” Amya says, running over and throwing her arms around my sister. They kiss and then hug for several long seconds.

“I think so,” Willow says, looking to me and Tristan.

“Try it,” Amya says. “Just concentrate on that feeling in your chest.”

Willow holds out a hand. “Back up,” she says, and we all give her some space.

A moment later, magic springs from her fingertips in crimson whorls, but it isn’t lightning like mine. It’s light and airy and twirls around the space, forming into . . . roses. They float across the room, tumbling down like rain. She pulls her hand back and clutches it to her chest before she looks at me.

“Lor,” she whispers, and I stumble towards her, throwing my arms around her.

“I’m so proud of you,” I say, and we hug before we pull apart. “I confess the Alluvion Coral said something to me that made me wonder, but I didn’t want to say anything, just in case.”

We stare at the roses lying at our feet.

“I’m not sure how useful that is,” Willow says, her nose scrunching.

“It’s beautiful,” I say, “Absolutely perfect.” I step back to let Amya hug her again.

“How do you feel?” Amya asks, framing my sister’s face in her hands.

“I’m . . . I never really cared that much that I was the only one without it, but . . .” Her face splits into a smile. “I have to say it does feel really good.”

“What do you think this means in terms of Heart magic?” Amya asks. “Is it possible Lor isn’t the only one who can bring it back?”

She winces, realizing what she’s just said. If Willow could become the next Primary, then I could take my place in the sky, lost to all of them.

“Sorry,” she says, shaking her head. “I didn’t mean . . .”