arsh's lip, heart pounding as she studied the endless reflections. Every ripple, every shimmer whispered false promises: safety if only she stepped forward, es

" he said, voice

and drew a steadyin

illuminating lily‐pad islands and willow branches that drooped like watchful sentinels. Even the air felt thi

chives, and Astra, the luminescent starbird whose song could soothe fear-or tear open the heart's secrets. Everett's dark eyes were wide as he stared at his own ref

d. "We stick as four,"

" He jerked a thumb over his shoulder; behind him, in every pool, appeared the image of a wo

asked, ste

stars. She begged me not to go." His voice cracked. "She said the night sky

ostly silhouette flickering atop the marsh's mirrored floor: another Astra-smaller, with dull gray feathers and

and to Liora's a

a line: Mael in front, Liora at his side, Everett and Astra behind. The marsh seemed aliv

eling beside a gravestone bearing her name. Master Serin's gentle face loomed behind the gravestone, his hand on her shoulder. Liora staggered, vision b

t, its warm glow pulsing like a heartbeat. She reached for it, and the light scorched away the phantom grie

reath, wiping her

ight smile. "Yo

h as the wretched specter of her grief pursued him across the mirrored water. Astra, entranced by

rdered. He surged forward, mud flinging at his calves. Liora ran,

the specter of his sister perched on his shoulder. "Be

it pulsed. The specter writhed, its features contorting in pain, then vanished as Everett cl

afe at home. You'll return to he

oice trembli

-ashen and abandoned-stood across the pool. The two stared at one another, a

"Your song can soothe pain

her own voice-a single, clear tone that shattered the illusion. The gray echo flickered and dissolved, an

t determined. Liora surveyed them, chest heaving. "We all have gho

eement rose, so

ward the marsh's center. There, a towering obsidian pillar stood crowned by an in

This next part... I

hand on Mael's shoulder, who mirrored her gesture on

lar. Each turned to face their reflections dancing across the water's glass. Liora's heart thrummed

pened them, resolve lit her gaze. "For the stars," she whisper

holding its breath-and with unwavering trus