-Niala 38

Gaff and I heard a commotion running about on the field and stumbled upon the scene of Kiromir wrapped around Thanus’s ankles, shouting my name, and I glanced over. Slow horror melted over Kiromir’s face.

“I GOT THE STORY OF MOTHMAN!” Thanus wheezed, Kiromir crawling up his back.

I could see the red shame on Kiromir’s face, the anxiousness, the raw humiliation.

“Ada, get up,” I said, disappointed. I didn’t need to know that badly.

I smiled at Thanus before offering him a hand to stand. Kiromir couldn’t look me in the eye.

I hugged Thanus around his waist, laying my head against his chest as he patted down over my head, laughter bright in his face. His calm aura balanced out Kiromir’s fear.

“If Ada doesn’t want me to know yet, I’ll just wait.” Curiosity burned in me, and I’m sure I’d hear the whole story in the next day or two in private, but I had no interest in humiliating Kiromir.

Thanus was there in so many great parts of my life. He was just as excited as Kiromir over my fires, helped me when I lost my baby teeth, and my adult teeth were coming in strange. He gave me my perfect tattoos, and in the end, gave my father the thing he wanted most in the world, love.

“I’m happy you’re his pick,” I said, squeezing him tighter. I could feel my eyes stinging with sappy tears, but I held it back as Kiromir stood to his feet, shaken.

“You can tell me when I’m older, and we’re really drunk one day,” I said with a mischievous grin.

Kiromir sighed in relief, and his fear faded. But, honestly, if it was as bad as it sounded, what Lowak did with the Mothman stuff was damn near abusive. For Kiromir to have this much trauma, I honestly didn’t need him knowing I knew.

Kiromir looked hesitant as I released Thanus. Ada was so strong, unshakable in all things besides me. Now, unfortunately, Thanus wrecked him beyond repair.

I pulled Kiromir into the hug and found comfort between their chests.

“Best dads ever, now go have fun. It’s my first migration with my fire and you two’s first time not having to search for a bondmate in forever.” I released them and exchanged annoyed glances with Gaff.

“Did you get your list yet?” Thanus asked. Kiromir tensed.

“No, they don’t have one for me. I guess there wasn’t enough notice,” I said with a shrug.

Gaffriel and Kiromir looked a lot alike then, their scowls tensing on my behalf.

“Come with me,” Kiromir said, his embarrassment fading into his cold front. His hand wrapped around my wrist, and Thanus walked in tow, Gaff behind him as I stumbled to keep up.

“MOTHER!” he announced as we moved a few tents over and barged into a small pavilion where some of the older women were chatting with one another. Rolyn’s dark stare flicked up to Kiromir, and I could feel that insidious boiling ‘pleasant’ sensation that came with Rolyn’s presence. She exuded agreeableness from her aura, and it felt sticky.

“What do you want, Kiromir?” She kept her tone clipped and civil.

“Where’s Ni’s list?” He asked.

“Why, we didn’t know she’d gotten her fires, so we prepared nothing. It’s such a shame,” She feigned. I could see hints of acid in her stare, and I realized she felt anxious over something.

“Ada, it’s okay, really.” I thought he’d be happy they hadn’t given me a list.

“I mean, I did have a few ideas for her to try, but really, the Grell’s are far more interested in her than us.” Rolyn waved her hand dismissively at the notion.

“Is she, or is she not allowed to chase fires here?” Kiromir asked cautiously.

“It depends on her fires. If she’s a healer, then absolutely not,” Rolyn rebutted. Fear knotted in my belly.

“Not a healer,” I muttered, and Gaff moved up behind me. I smelled summer and felt mourning. I also felt fear, calm, and agreeableness. Overshadowing it all, I felt my own desire to be ignored. Rolyn started to fight it but lost.

“Let me see, then,” She said, rolling her eyes and making a flickering gesture with her hand. I obliged gladly and extended my hand, letting my black flames like starlight whip up my arm in a flicker. She watched it for a long moment, failing to be shocked for a fraction of a second before her feigned expression returned. Something felt amiss, very amiss.

“What does it do?” She asked with a wide-eyed stare. Curious onlookers peered around at me, turning my fires into a spectacle.

“It rends,” Kiromir answered, and I never contemplated that word. “Rending.” I thought about the image of William falling from my hand. Death didn’t bother me, but that did.

“Our only healer right now is barely of age and learning from an elder that has no idea how to work her fire. We’re anticipating losing her any year now. She’s spread thin, so I’d advise against you using that on anyone,” Rolyn said with a sneer.

Gaff lit his hand with gentle flame and reached it out to mine, offering, not demanding, and we grasped hands.

“Ah, well, keep at it then. You’ve chosen quite the winner,” She remarked, turning to walk away with nothing else to say.

“I was playing your game, mother, and I had kept her clear to protect her fires for you and the conservation efforts… She knows her duty, but are you telling me that this is no longer her duty?” He asked. I felt light-headed and tearful.

“Look, I have bigger things to worry with right now than some little chit of a sharp-eyed halfbreed something or other wanting to inflict our men with her frankly dangerous gifts. The Sentinels are light-haired people, and we’re trying to normalize. You’d undo all my hard work,” She sniffed and walked away. Everyone almost wanted to agree with her for a moment, but I felt far more hurt than her aura could compensate for.

“Did you just say that?” Thanus whispered, awestruck and incredulous. Disgust slowly phased over Kiromir’s face. His mouth slacked slightly agape; lips turned at the edges as his eyes creased with more confusion than he’d ever had in his entire life. He was hurt. Thanus was hurt. Gaff was angry, and I was absolutely defeated.

I felt Gaff’s hand leave mine, moving to my shoulder, leading me from the tent. Hot tears stung my eyes, welled, and just started pouring. Kiromir and Thanus bustled behind me.

“Do you know what just happened there?” Thanus asked.

Kiromir shook his head, half in disbelief.

“I think I know,” Gaff said as he pulled me into his chest. He hugged me, clutching to me as I felt blanketed in his summer scent. “We were angrier than Niala’s aura could cover. I think Rolyn forgot to curb what she said because of her.” My mind seemed so far away.

“I’m stuck here. I can’t just leave this year,” Kiromir said with steel in his voice, and I could hear the choke of him fighting back the tears. “Thanus, if I gave you an address, could you take her away tonight after the ceremonies to just fly for a day and meet us at the songbirds?”

“I’m going, too,” Gaff said firmly as Thanus nodded once. As much as I knew the two of them wanted to be together, they so willingly wanted to put it off for me.

Gaff’s arms tightened around me. Then, his and Kiromir’s eyes met, locked in a staredown; I looked between them. Before I could register anything, though, Thanus had me by the shoulders, leading me away as Gaff held his ground.