Page 74 of Stolen Magic of the Deep

Light blooms in the distance. A single source. I creep toward it, my steps cautious, until the glow takes shape—a golden rope.

I grab it—half expecting it to vanish, but it holds firm. The rope isn’t loose, it’s tethered tightly to something on the far side of the barrier. Still, as my hand slides along its length, I find an end trailing free.

I pull the loose end with me, guiding it to the barrier. The moment it slips across, the darkness around me ignites. Light surges outward, spilling into every corner, until the emptiness reshapes itself.

My penthouse. The white leather couch and its matching lounge chair. The white marble counters and the identical island.

The king wants me to inform you to tie the tether to a sturdy item in your mind. Something that will not let go unless you allow it. Nyra informs, calmly.

I glance around. The space is nearly perfect, but something’s missing.

No balcony. No endless San Francisco nights to look out over. Not that I ever truly appreciated them. I was always too swallowed up in research to notice.

I decide to bowline the rope to my coat rack, screwed tightly into the wall. It’s barely used, but San Francisco rains a lot, and that’s where I’d put my raincoat and umbrella after a rainy day.

I step back from the tether, admiring the knot, taking note of where I entered from—the elevator. I close my eyes, in my mind, and focus on exiting the space. I’ll revisit it when I’m alone.

When I open my eyes, Orion is in front of me, the Snapdragons aren't in direct view because he’s so close.

My breath hitches. But my mind feels free, almost expanded. Wider.

“Welcome back, Snapdragon,” Orion whispers, his warm breath brushing a few strands of my hair that flow in the water. He lowers himself to meet my eyes.

“Next step. Build your barrier walls,” he says, a spark igniting in his gaze.

“My barrier already has walls. It’s my penthouse,” I mention, unsure how I can build walls to something that already has walls.

“Where did the tether come in?” he asks.

“The elevator.”

“Oh yes, the metal doors of death. Close it or lock it if you can,” he says simply.

I close my eyes, walk up to the elevator, and enter the code, locking it securely like I would back home. Suddenly, everything feels quieter. Peaceful.

My mind has been in a constant state of panic since arriving here, with new information thrown at me every time I blink. Now, that panic is gone. Locked behind the elevator, unable to enter unless I allow it.

I reopen my eyes. “Done.”

“Let us test that.”

No more words follow, just the dip of his head toward Nyra and her dipping her snout in response.

A moment passes in silence. An internal tug reaches me, but no words follow.

“She says she cannot get past your barriers,” Orion states.

Which means I can keep her out. Finally!

“Moving on,” he says. “Unlock your mind. When you do, open the doors to it slowly. Only allow in what you want, maintaining that barrier for unwanted visitors.”

I do as he says, entering my subconscious again. I enter the code and press my palm to the seam of the elevator doors, easing them apart slowly—just enough for the tether to loosen.

Easily slipping out of my own mind now, I’m floating in front of Orion again. Nyra moves closer to his side, up near his shoulders.

Damn, it was about time your thoughts were quiet. Are you ever gonna tell the king you have feelings for him?

My eyes widen, and my head snaps in her direction. I glare. My blood boils, and I know my face is red as the heat climbs my cheeks.