Page 34 of Love & Heart Braking

I considered that. “Perhaps shooting over a greater distance requires more magic, or using the bow takes more magic as well? I felt power draining away.”

“Shooting magic from your fingers does that, too, right?”

True. But in the past, using my magic was a relief. “I’ve always kept my magic inside and siphoned off only what was necessary. Maybe releasing into four computers keeps my levels low. Maybe I felt the drain more because of that.”

Soleil drew out a notebook. “Next time we’ll work on figuring out your range and try to gauge what factors affect the drain on your magic levels.”

I eyed her. “You have a notebook for my training?”

“Sweet Cerys, I have a notebook for everything. Don’t worry, I’ve put tracking charms on my notebooks now.” She scowled.

“Any luck tracking down your notebook of feather tips?”

“Bortyss must’ve taken it. I just can’t figure out how unless he had help. I always zip up my bag. The notebook didn’t just fall out.”

I hummed. “You think Bortyss was the distraction?”

“That’s what Bain thinks.”

Did he now? Ha! They were totally latching onto each other.

“So what’s our plan to get it back?” I got to my feet and banished my bow.

“I’m coming to realize that maybe I need to just accept finding one feather,” she said. “I swore I’d never return to the estate, and I won’t set foot, talon, or wing there again—not even for my tip notebook. If they’ve got it, then it’s bait. Some things just aren’t worth it.” Sorrow weighed her voice.

After seeing how much more Soleil was with one of her feathers back, it seemed unbearably cruel to have her give up on the remaining two. “Bain won’t return the one in his possession?”

“He has it locked away in his bank. Every time I bring the feather up he changes the subject.”

Strange. Especially with his soul binoculars.

Soleil nudged me as the two men walked away together. “Hey, I don’t suppose you’ve had time to look up a match for me yet.”

My pulse ramped up. “I’m keeping a lookout, but you know nothing but perfect will do for you.”

“Yeah,” she said slowly. “I was actually thinking I may push pause on the search for a bit.”

“Having second thoughts on love?” I withheld my smirk.

“I just have other things on my plate. Another guy may not fit into my life right now.”

“Sure. No problem. Let me know when you’re ready again.”

She hesitated.

I shot her a look. “Something else you wanted to say?”

The siren avoided my gaze. “You want to know something that doesn’t make any sense?”

“Are you kidding? Those are the only types of things I want to know.”

Her lips twitched. “I might have feelings for someone. Bain, actually.”

Touchdown! “Whoa, really? Since when?”

Pink tinged her cheeks. “I’m unsure. He used to make me so furious. Now I’m kind of… less furious with him and more interested in what he’s doing.” She shook her head. “Everything he’s doing. Is it because he’s a unicorn? I’m thinking about him all the time, Cerys. But he’s so annoyingly moral about everything. Except I find myself…” She lifted a hand to the air in front of her, as though imagining Bain was there. “…wanting to be better so he’ll—I don’t know—maybe like me more? Which is stupid because he’s made his view on me clear.”

My eyes misted, and I quickly blinked the moisture away. My friend was in love. Or very close to it. “Have you told Bain any of this?”

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