Page 56 of Ecliptic

“I heard what happened in my dome earlier today. I was just outside, but I thought to give you privacy.”

“I’m sorry you had to hear that,” I replied awkwardly. Takoda was a dear friend and talking with him had always come so naturally, but now, under the guise of therapy, I completely shut down. “Did Rowen say anything?” I asked, suddenly nervous about how Takoda might see me.

“He worries for you. That much is clear. But we discuss and work on his healing. What you wish for me to know is up to you to tell me.”

An idea suddenly struck me. The last time I felt lost, I’d found myself in a sacred ceremony. “Can I go into the Hymma?”

“There are no shortcuts, star-touched, if that’s what you’relooking for. The Hymma may help with inner reflection. But if your mind is not ready, the answers will fall on un-listening ears, or worse yet, you could go mad searching for something that is right in front of you. It is too dangerous for you to enter the Hymma with the current state of your mind. It is not safe.”

I shifted my weight. “Isn’t it based on intention?”

“Yes, but also by your mood, your subconscious, and countless other factors. Even what you had for breakfast. Much less everything else you have been through. Your consciousness is interwoven with the threads of the universe. It can easily bend and fray to the whims of the fabric. I’m not saying that you are not strong, that you do not know your own mind,” Takoda continued, and I knew abutwas coming. “But you know firsthand there are many worlds, many realities that you could fall into and not find your way out of. Not to mention, you are susceptible to panic and astral tearing.”

“And breaking,” I added.

“Keira, we are all a little broken. It is the cracks that let the light in,” he replied, his eyes softening. “What is it that is bothering you? Aside from the obvious.”

Suddenly, it felt like boulders were collapsing on me, like I was back in the Crystal Crypts. I couldn’t speak; the words were trapped behind a stone in my throat. Why couldn’t I talk about it? It was as if my heart wanted to, but my mind didn’t. Tears pooled in my lower lash line. Having someone take a genuine interest in my health made my voice and hands shake.

How was I to prepare for a battle when I was at war with myself?

“I need . . . I need to meet with Dyani. I will see you around,” I stammered before I sped down the trail and didn’t look back.

After cleaning up from another training session with Dyani, I returned to Rowen’s dome, eager to collapse from exhaustion.

But as I whirled through the rotating door, my gaze fell upon Rowen smiling, standing in the middle of the room with a simple rucksack over his shoulder. “How about a little getaway?” he asked with a wide grin, patting the thin bedroll strapped to the pack.

“Where?” I asked skeptically. I deserved for him to hate me and yell at me or even look at me with disappointment, but there was only love in his gaze.

“It’s a surprise. Are you up for it?”

“Why are you being so nice to me? Especially after I almost royally fucked up?”

He readjusted the pack. “Believe me, I have many ideas in mind for punishing you, even though they all ultimately end in your pleasure. So until I’m able to touch you, I thought a night under the stars might help. Give you a little space to think. Breathe.”

I swallowed at the thought of mypunishments. “You think camping is a good idea right now?”

“It couldn’t hurt to try.”

“The earthquakes are getting worse,” I said, brushing loose strands of hair away from my face. “And I’m not improving at all. I’m nowhere near prepared if Erovos escapes.”

“That’s exactly why we should go. We’ve tried everything here. Maybe we need a change of scenery with no distractions.”

“What if something happens while we’re gone?” I asked, pacing the room and biting my nails.

He stalked up to me, commanding my attention and halting my back-and-forth. “Breathe, Copeland. No harm will come to the village. Not tonight. I swear it.”

Rowen’s words loosened my breathing like an inhale ofeucalyptus, and my chest eased. “What about Maddock? You know he will follow us.”

“I have him taken care of.”

“What did you do to him?” I asked, a tinge of concern lining my voice.

“Don’t worry, he’s fine. Just heavily threatened,” Rowen replied, the rolled-up sleeves of his shirt revealing his muscled forearms.

“We both heavily threaten him every day, and he never listens. What makes this time any different?”

“I offered him some moonstones to help with inner reflection.”

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