Page 3 of The Study of Storms and Magic
No matter how many times he saw his brother, Zethan was always struck by their resemblance. It was like looking into a mirror that reflected Zethan’s future.
“Yes. Just wanted to stop by and say goodbye.”
“Goodbye already?” Yelena poked her head into the cluttered living room. “It’s not the cold season yet? Is it?”
“Almost, love,” Valek said. “You’ve been busy.”
“Yes, chasingyourson while you’re having fun teaching weapon defense.” Her words were stern, but her tone was indulgent. She joined them and Liana dove for her mother’s arms.
“He’s only mine when he’s being bad. Funny how that happens,” Valek said wryly.
“I thought you blamed all your children’s bad behaviors on Janco,” Zethan said.
“Oh yes,” Yelena said. “It’s all his fault, too. And Ari’s and Onora’s and Reema’s. It’s a conspiracy.”
Valek laughed. “It’s a family, love.” Then he sobered. “I heard Heli and Zohav are going with you. Be extra careful this season.”
Zethan gaped. “You heard. Already?”
“Gotta keep my skills sharp. Especially when Liana starts dating.”
“Why extra careful?” Yelena asked. “They’ve been doing this for years without trouble.”
“Kade has an impressive presence. His power and strength roll off of him in waves. While Heli’s first impression is ofyouth and kindness. Some people might think she’s easy to manipulate. Not that she’d let them, but they might try.”
“Normally, we keep a low profile, but we’ll be extra careful.” Zethan promised.
“Good,” Valek said.
“Has Zohav stopped by?” Zethan asked, but by their sad expressions he knew the answer. His sister still didn’t trust Valek. Didn’t consider him and Yelena as part of her family even when their parents had embraced them.
It was another difference between the twins, it took Zohav a long time to adjust, to forgive, to forget. She could hold a grudge for years. While Zethan was able to let the past guide him but not rule him.
Heli Stormdance arrived at the Magician’s Keep on the fortieth day of the cooling season. Her horse, Thunder, was hitched to the wagon. The long wooden cart was covered with a sturdy oiled cloth. Piled underneath were empty glass orbs nestled in thick blankets to keep them from breaking.
The Stormdancer bounced with energy, greeting the twins with a big smile. When she gave Zohav a brief hug, Zethan noticed they were the same height. About seven inches shorter than his own six feet. Heli had pulled her long brown hair into a knot. The streaks of blond a clear sign of how much time she spent in the sun. The Stormdancers had set up camp in The Cliffs where there was easy access to the storms that blew in from the Jade Sea.
The three of them headed to the pasture, and Zohav hitched her horse, Kitty—a big black brute of a horse that would only allow Zo to ride him—to the wagon. Yes, him.
Zethan saddled Smoke. He would ride his horse while Heli and Zohav rode on the wagon. For now. They would switch it up as they traveled. Since they had the wagon filled with glass, it would take them twenty-four careful days to reach the Northern Ice Pack.
After they stowed their bags and supplies into the wagon’s trunk, Heli faced them. “My fellow travelers, are we ready to go on an epic adventure?”
“I’m always ready,” Zethan said.
“Do you know the way?” Zohav asked.
“North!” Heli teased. Then she pulled a stack of papers from her cloak. “Kade has given me detailed, and I meandetailed to the point of obsession, instructions on everything, despite the fact that I’ve been up there with him. No need to worry, Zo.”
Zethan laughed. “Telling Zo not to worry is like telling water to not be wet.”
Zohav glared at them. “If you’re going to gang up on me, I’m going to ensure your socks stay wet the entire trip.”
As far as threats went, that was an effective one. He put his hand on his chest. “I promise not to gang up on you.”
“I wouldn’t think of it,” Heli said.
ZOHAV
