After leaving my mother, I decided not to go home right away. My last solo foray into the capital was a seasons ago. Today, I needed to relive the experience.

There were a lot of people on the street for a Rootsday morning, and it wasn’t even noon yet. Then again, it was the Season of Aether, Astralift to be precise. It was the last of the four seasons, and the Solstice’s End Feast was around the corner. As I walked along the street and enjoyed the sights, sounds, and smells of the busy capital like any other tourist.

People moved in and out of carriages, enchanted transports powered by a combination of mechanical engineering and magic. They were used for both public and private transit. A tram-like system on suspended tracks ran above the streets, ferrying passengers from district to district. It was the fusion of elven craftsmanship and Oriental enchantments.

Being back after all this time felt strange. I wouldn’t say I missed this place. I wasn’t sure I was capable of missing anything, but there was a sense of familiarity here that I couldn’t deny.

I took it all in as I walked through the crowds. Vendors with their stalls overflowing with colourful wares called out their pitches, and children darted between legs, their laughter ringing out like silver bells. Everything was almost like I remembered it, but somehow different.

I paused in front of a shop window, catching a glimpse of my reflection. My deep green eyes stared back at me, framed by the dark waves of my brown hair. The long coat I wore was a deep navy, trimmed with silver with a touch of Oriental enchantment woven into the fabric that helped regulate body temperature. A few passers-by threw curious glances my way, but I paid them no mind.

I took a deep breath and continued walking. I didn’t have a particular destination in mind, but I knew I wanted to wander or probably just lose myself in the crowd, if only for a moment. The city had a pulse of its own, a rhythm that could be both exhilarating and exhausting. I could hear the street performers playing music, a blend of flutes and drums that created a lively beat, and the chatter of people haggling over prices at the market stalls.

I turned down a narrower street, the pavement worn smooth by countless feet. The noise of the main avenue faded slightly, replaced by the sounds of a smaller, more intimate neighbourhood. The buildings here were older, and most were covered in symbols I couldn’t decipher.

I stopped in front of one particular building with some ominous symbols that looked more like a sigil than anything else. A few children were playing with a wooden hoop right beside it, and their laughter was so infectious.

“Celeste?” A voice called out, pulling me from my observation.

I turned and my eyes landed on a familiar face. He waved, his long black hair bouncing as he made his way over to me.

Gaia’s grace! Was that Thalion Perseus? What was he doing down here, and how did he recognize me here? Well, I shouldn’t be so surprised. The Fangs, like the Lycans, could track anyone.

“Thalion,” I called back, my lips twitching into a small smile.

He reached me, those grey eyes brimming with joy. “I thought I’d missed you,” he said, slightly breathless. “You should have let me know you were arriving today. I would’ve come to meet you at the gate.”

I shrugged, glancing around. “I didn’t think anyone knew I was here.”

“Cullen told me your selection ritual was today. Imagine my surprise when my father was summoned to Gaia’s Sanctum earlier. Something about a supreme successor from the Le Torneau house.”

“Is that why you are here to see me?” I asked, a bit disappointed.

I had always thought Thalion was beautiful, and although he was my brother’s close friend, he didn’t seem to care about butting heads with Cullen when he declared that he intended to marry me when I came of age. At the time, I cared nothing for it or took it seriously, but seeing him now—goodness, he looked unbelievable.

He wore a flowing dark burgundy robe embroidered with silver. A long sash cinched his waist, and the robe’s extended sleeves flayed beautifully. Against his chest, a silver pendant, engraved with the Perseus crest, shone softly. His long, black hair was tied back loosely. He moved with an effortless grace, with just a trace of roguish charm. Obviously, he had a regal disposition, like most members of the house of Perseus. He was naughty when he wanted to, too, and unlike my brothers, he visited me occasionally at the academy.

What I loved most about him was his long, black hair which was always perfectly clipped in a ponytail.

“No, Celeste, I wanted to see you,” he said. “I missed you.”

I looked away, trying to suppress the excitement that spread through me. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”

“Why not? It’s true.” He reached out, brushing a thumb across my cheek before I could react. “You’re different, you know. Stronger.”

I stepped back from his touch, clearing my throat. “I’ve had to be.”

He nodded. “About your selection,” he said more seriously now. “You’re going to have a lot of eyes on you now, Celeste. Not all of them friendly.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” I sighed. I glanced at the strange sigil on that building again and noticed the dark shadow swirling around it. What language was that?

“It wasn’t a surprise, you know.”

I looked back at him. There was a sincerity in his eyes that made it hard to look away. “Thanks, Thalion,” I said softly.

“Anytime,” he replied. “Now, how about I take you to lunch? I know a place not far from here. They have great food, and serve the best lavender nectar in Ostonia.”

I hesitated, a small part of me tempted by the idea of spending a bit more time with Thalion, but I shook my head. “I am pressed for time. I need to get to the estate to see Yeon and Cullen and return to the sanctum,” I explained.

“Of course.” He gave me a sad smile. “Mind if I escort you instead?”

I paused for a moment to consider his offer. I really didn’t want company, but something in his eyes made me relent. “I don’t mind, come on.”

Thalion’s face lit up, and he fell into step beside me. Once we started moving, he kept glancing at me, as if trying to read my mood.

“You know,” Thalion said after a while, “I always wondered if you’d come back to Ostonia one day. The last time I saw you, you weren’t quite sure about it.”

I smirked, keeping my eyes ahead. “Did Cullen know you visited me in Odristan?”

“No,” Thalion admitted with a chuckle. “I doubt he would have appreciated it.”

I shook my head. Cullen was my protector in his own tough-love kind of way. “He’s always been that way about me. Tough but dependable.”

He gave me a sidelong glance. “And, for what it’s worth, my intentions about you haven’t changed.”

I looked at him, not particularly startled by his candour. “What have you been up to?” I asked, shifting the focus to him. “I thought you’d have an estate full of consorts by now.”

He chuckled and glanced at me. “Heavens no. That sounds exhausting, honestly. Besides, I’ve always believed in quality over quantity, you know.” He tilted his head slightly, his eyes softening as he looked at me. “And truth be told, I think I’ve been waiting for someone worth all that trouble.”

“You’re still intent on that?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It wasn’t said lightly, Celeste.” His voice was calm but very serious. “I will make you my mate someday soon, when you’re ready.”

There he was again, telling me these things that both excited and bored me. It was sweet, comforting even, but still not enough. Just like with Azriel, there was no spark, no maddening pull that left me breathless. And that was all I wanted. The closest thing to that indescribable feeling I craved had been with Alpha Devon, and that was a thought that unsettled me too.

Gradually, the noise of the street we were on changed, the laughter and chatter was replaced by raised voices. Thalion and I shared a quick glance before pushing our way through the gathering crowd. As we rounded a corner, we saw a young man, drenched from head to toe, by the fountain, surrounded by three law enforcement Marshals. Their purple uniforms had the insignia of the Bureau of Magical Regulation.

The young man looked like he’d just climbed out of the fountain. He was completely soaked, his red hair clinging to his forehead, and his clothes dishevelled. Oddly enough, he looked utterly unfazed by his predicament. Tall, with a faint golden skin that was characteristic of the Fae species. Those pointed ears, partially hid by his hair, made me sure. His clothes were simple, but they weren’t cheap. He wore a loose green shirt with a curious crest on it and black trousers.

“What’s going on here?” Thalion asked, stepping closer.

The marshals were yelling, and the young man was trying to explain himself, but it was difficult to hear over the commotion.

“Is that Kael?” I heard Thalion asked.

The young man’s eyes snapped over to Thalion and then drifted to me for a minute. “Thalion?”

“What’s going on here?” Thalion asked the marshals this time, and loud enough for them to hear him.

One of the marshals turned to us, his expression souring at the interruption. “This Fae is accused of illegal use of magic. He was seen summoning energy from the public fountain, and we are here to apprehend him. Use of magic by unauthorized users in public spaces is strictly regulated.”

Thalion stepped forward, ignoring the marshal’s glare. “Is that true, Kael?”

Kael looked at me again, water dripping from his hair, and shook his head. “No. I was simply testing the waters, nothing more. They’re exaggerating!”

The marshal sneered at Kael’s explanation. One of them reached for his sword, but I acted before he could draw it, raising my hand.

Water erupted from the fountain, forming a protective barrier between Kael and the guards.

“Enough,” I said sharply. “If he is guilty of a magical infraction, isn’t it your job to peacefully apprehend him? Why cause such a ruckus and resort to violence?”

One of the marshals growled at me. “Young lady, using magic in public’”

“Unauthorized use of magic is prohibited, yes, I know,” I cut in, meeting the marshal’s gaze with a level stare. “But I am authorized to use magic. I am Celeste Le Torneau.”

The guards stiffened, and a murmur rippled through the gathered crowd. My father was governor of the sector and had made sure my brothers and I passed the licensing examination to use magic responsibly within Wridel. Even knowing who I was now, the marshal hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly, and I truly wanted to blast him on his ass.

“It is well within her rights to intervene in matters like this. Besides, if she was an unauthorized user, her spell would have triggered the alert to the bureau,” Thalion told them.

The crowd murmured around us, nodding in agreement with him.

The marshal cleared his throat, then bowed politely to me. “Lady Celeste, we meant no disrespect. We are simply following protocol.”

“Then follow it correctly,” I replied, lowering my hand slowly. The water barrier shimmered for a moment before gently cascading back into the fountain.

Thalion gave the marshals a pointed look. “Kael is under my protection. If you have further questions, you may take them up with House Perseus.”

The marshals exchanged uneasy glances before nodding reluctantly. “Very well, Lord Thalion. We will report this incident to our superiors.”

They turned and marched away, their heavy boots clanking against the paved stones. The crowd began to disperse, whispers filling the air as people cast curious glances my way.

I focused on Kael, stepping closer, my hands brushing the air in front of me. The water dripping from his clothes began to shimmer, droplets lifting from the fabric and swirling around him in dazzling spirals. I pulled the water away, drawing it back into the fountain with a flick of my wrist. His clothes were dry within moments, leaving only his unruly red hair still a bit damp.

“Thank you, my lady,” he said with a kind smile.

I glared suspiciously at him, and before I could even say anything, Thalion walked up to him. “What were you doing, Kael?”

“I’m here on serious business,” he said. “There’s been some trouble in the western districts. Rumours of people disappearing and others losing their magic. I thought I’d come see if there was any truth to it. I was” experimenting, and my investigations led me to this fountain.”

Thalion frowned. “What do you mean?”

“People are disappearing? Why haven’t I heard about this?” I asked like I was a dignitary who was informed of everything.

Kael shrugged. “It’s been kept quiet. The high council doesn’t want to cause a panic, especially not with the Solstice’s End Feast coming up.”

I huffed. “Of course.” Having just met the council, I wasn’t surprised. “Did you find something in the water?” I asked Kael.

Kael hesitated, then lowered his voice. “It’s hard to explain. The energy feels” tainted. Like something has been infused into it. I thought if I could figure it out, I might be able to help.”

This was troubling. Mass hysteria could break out over suspicion that something’s interfering with the magic. Also, those sigils on those buildings. There was definitely something going on. But why was he the one investigating it?

“What is your ability?” I wondered, because I could sense his magic, and he was not a commoner. He wasn’t just some troublemaker. The way he handled himself, and that crest on his tunic. “What house does that belong to?” I pointed to his crest.

The crest was a dark silver embroidery of a crescent moon entwined with ivy. I didn’t recognise it, but I had a feeling it belonged to one of the old nobilities of the Fae kind.

“Let’s get out of here,” Thalion said, nudging Kael playfully. But it felt intentional, like he didn’t want me to know who Kael was. “And maybe we can keep you out of trouble for the rest of the day.”

Kael laughed, but he looked a bit uncomfortable. Was it my question about his crest? “No promises, Thalion. You know me.”

Thalion sighed, clapping a hand on Kael’s shoulder. “Just be careful next time, alright? Go on, get out of here. I will see you later.”

Kael gave a grateful nod and hurried off, disappearing into the crowd before I could even say goodbye.

Thalion turned to me, a smile playing on his lips. “Well, that was certainly an impressive display, Celeste.”

“Hmm.” Was all I said before turning back on our way. Thalion was up to something, and I didn’t know what. But if Kael was investigating these mysterious disappearances, then our paths would cross again. I needed to figure out what those sigils were. I would stop back there to copy them down on my way back to the sanctum.

Thalion kept pace beside me, and after a moment, he spoke. “You really are full of surprises, you know that?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, glancing at him.

“Your control over water, the way you managed the marshals. You handled that better than most.”

I shot him a sidelong glance, but stayed silent.

He continued. “You always do what’s necessary, regardless of what anyone else thinks. That’s not something many people have the courage to do.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that. Compliments weren’t my strong suit, especially when I wasn’t sure if they were genuine. I turned my attention back to the path ahead, my thoughts wandering to Kael and his strange investigation.

Whatever was happening, it was definitely too dangerous for Kael to be investigating alone, especially if the High Council was trying to keep it from the citizens. Thalion’s apparent disinterest, despite his involvement, made the situation even more suspicious. Did Thalion know more than he was letting on? And if so, why wasn’t he sharing it?

I let the thought slip away, shifting my focus to the path that would lead me up Morinpar Hill. I had my own demons to take care of.