Page 79 of The Last Aether

“But not with destroying everyone around you.” Maybe there was a little Nova in me after all. Maybe that was what this explosion was, a form of that.

Phoenix’s fingers stilled. “You’re wrong. I almost hurt my parents and siblings more than once. Especially since my affinities manifested early. It’s a heavy burden, but it’s also a gift. You just have to learn how to wield it.”

“And you’re going to teach me, right?”

He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. “I’m going to teach you. But first, there’s something we need to show you.”

“She needs more rest,” Atlas argued.

“This will make her feel better,” Kai shot back.

I struggled to sit up, curious now. “I want to see.”

“Fine,” Atlas grumbled. “But I’m carrying you.”

I started to argue, but he’d already swept me into his arms.

I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of me. “I don’t think I sustained a leg injury in the attack.”

Atlas huffed as he carried me out of his room and started up the stairs. “You’re still recovering. You shouldn’t be exerting yourself.”

I patted his chest. “Love you.”

A rumbling sound emanated from his chest. “Love you too. Now close your eyes.”

I did as instructed, but my curiosity was piqued again. I’d never ventured up to the third floor. There were several rooms up here, but I’d never had need of any of them.

The sound of a door opening hit my ears and then Atlas slowly set me down. “Open your eyes.”

My eyelids fluttered open, bursts of images hitting me. The only thing I could do was gasp.

44

I scanned the room, trying to take it all in. But every time I settled on one thing, my eyes were pulled to another. First it was the windows. Massive and letting in loads of amazing light. There were ones that faced the forest that made it feel as if you were living in a tree house. And ones at the front that gave you a view of the entire sprawling campus.

My feet started moving without my permission, pulling me deep into the room. There was a massive four-poster bed with a gauzy canopy. It would feel like sleeping in a den of coziness. And there was more than enough room on that bed for all five of us.

That thought both thrilled and terrified me and I couldn’t help my gaze pulling towards Riven. His eyes were locked on me. As if he were studying every reaction. I couldn’t help but wonder what role he’d played in all of this.

I moved towards the bed, taking in the nightstands on either side. Lined on both were photos that had my eyes stinging. One of me and Charlie, our heads thrown back in laughter. Me and Lainey before we’d gone to a school dance.

I thought it might be painful to see the family photos, knowing that some part of them was a lie, but it wasn’t. My heart squeezed at the shot of me, Janine, and Charlie on the front steps of our town house the day we’d gotten the keys. We had all been so happy that day.

And I was determined not to lose that happiness. Janine might not be my mom, but she was my aunt. She loved and cared for me. We were a family.

I swallowed hard as I took in the rest of the photos. “How did you guys get these?”

It was Phoenix who spoke. “Riven went back to your house to get some things. I told him you wouldn’t mind.”

My throat tightened as I turned towards Riven. “Thank you.”

“I wanted this to feel more like home for you. You belong here, Aura. With us.”

It wasn’t just my eyes that were burning now. Everything was. I didn’t miss my unicorn he must’ve gotten from my dorm or my favorite cozy blanket on the overstuffed chair in the corner. Riven had somehow managed to pick the things that meant the most to me.

I crossed to him, stretching up on my tiptoes and brushing my lips across his. “It’s amazing.”

Yet I could still feel myself holding back from him, not letting down that last wall.