Page 88 of Elemental Becoming

I roll my eyes and adjust my grip on Lyra, who is quickly becoming more of a problem by the second.

“Why is your room so far away?” I grumble, dragging her along the hall. All the training at the outpost did not prepare me for the dead weight and chaos that is my friend right now.

Lyra, who is almost dead weight in my arms, lets out a dramatic sigh. “I like my privacy.”

“You like making me suffer.”

She lets out a breathy giggle. “That too.”

I curse under my breath as we turn another godsdamned corridor. “We have been walking forever.”

Lyra throws an arm around my shoulders, draping herself over me. “We’re on a journey, Amara. A grand adventure. You and me—traversing the castle, braving the treacherous stairs, overcoming the impossible odds—”

I cut her off. “Keep talking and I’m dropping you.”

Lyra gasp-laughs, clutching my arm. “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.”

We make it halfway up a staircase before she stops walking altogether, forcing me to drag her up the last few steps.

“Lyra Durnhart!”

“This is where I die,” she declares. “Tell my story. Make me a legend.”

“I will throw you down these stairs.”

She cracks up, nearly taking me with her as she stumbles forward, but I catch her just in time.

And then—out of absolutely nowhere—she gasps, eyes going wide. “Oh my gods!”

I brace myself. “What now?”

Lyra grabs my face with both hands, squishing my cheeks as she forces me to look at her—far too close, far too dramatic, and very, very drunk.

“Rowena and Sera are going to be yoursisters!”

I let out a long breath, trying to pry her off, but she clings.

“Lyra—”

“No, listen! This is huge!” She throws her arms wide—loses her balance—and I have to steady her before she takes both of us down. “You’re going to befamily. And I love them!”

I shake my head, guiding her toward the next hallway. “Thane and I are still very new, Lyra.”

She flaps a hand at me dismissively. “Shut up! You two aresoulmates!”

“That’s not how it—”

“You’re totally getting married!”

I glare at her. “Lyra.”

She nods sagely, wobbling slightly. “Amara Caelum. Ooooh, it has a nice ring to it!”

I groan, tightening my grip on her before she faceplants. “I swear to all the gods, if you don’t walk faster, I am leaving you here.”

Lyra throws herself against me in mock devastation. “You would abandon yourbest friendin her time of need?!”