“Once my parents realized how powerful I was, they pulled me out. They didn’t want me to hurt anyone, and they wanted to keep my magic a secret. But I didn’t mind. I was lonely here, and I never knew if it was because I was the Princess and the other students were intimidated by me, or whether I was just unlikable. Even though I became even lonelier when I had to spend my days with Admon as my teacher, I was happy not to have to find out the real reason my only friend was Nemesia.” The admission seems to shock her, because her eyes widen in surprise and I can see her physically shutting me out like she has many times before, turning her body away and slumping her shoulders. Before this moment can get away from us, I offer my own story, determined not to let this moment of vulnerability slip through my fingers.

“We have that in common, you know. I told you at the ball how lonely it was for me to be the only light channeler. It was also lonely to be more powerful than any of my tutors, more powerful than my parents. I didn’t get to go to school, even for a short time. Fionn was my only companion, and it took us years to become friends.” I watch her closely for her reaction, and for the briefest moment, she seems to open up. Our eyes meet. Something intangible passes between us, an energy with a low and slowly humming frequency, so unlike the typical charge between us.

“I’ll see you back at the merchant district,” is all she says before turning and walking away, and I sigh at her dismissal. I spend the next hour with a group of four light channelers, walking them through similar exercises that I’ve been teaching Laurel for the last few months. Their progress is not as quick as hers, but the teacher, a metal channeler, promises to continue using these same drills with them. He seems relieved to have the guidance.

“Where do these students come from?” I ask the instructor as the students practice conjuring light into small, concentrated orbs and releasing them. “I thought light affinity only existed in Eastern Velmara, with my mother’s people. I was shocked to learn of light channelers here in Thayaria.”

The instructor nods. “Indeed, these are distant relatives of yours. When the barrier went up after the war, many Velmarans were trapped here, and most were too afraid to declare their heritage and ask to be sent home. Several families were from Eastern Velmara, and these are their offspring.” He smiles.