Pov: Kaelira
The garden shimmered.
It felt alive, as if it bloomed straight out of a dream.
Trees bent overhead, their branches heavy and covered in silver leaves.
Soft, glowing vines curled along the smooth stone paths, lighting up softly with each careful step. The air was sweet mixed with the faint sound of a stream flowing over crystal clear stones nearby.
We were supposed to have our meeting here.
It was a quiet, magical corner where it felt like stars themselves might be born.
Above, the sky was shifting and slowly slipping into twilight, the daylight faded and the gardens gentle lights grew stronger.
I followed Ren along the winding path, my heartbeat quickening. Damian's presence pulsed gently from the pendant at my chest, warm and watchful.
"Stay alert," he whispered in my mind. "You're the wild card here."
"I don't bite."
"Don't lead with that Kae."
Ren slowed as we reached a wide clearing bordered by silver blooms and glowing stones arranged in concentric circles.
Five figures stood waiting—each distinct, each radiant in their own strange, beautiful way. I stopped walking. The garden quieted.
They all turned.
"This is Kaelira," Ren said, stepping slightly in front of me.
The silence deepened. Even the air seemed to pause.
Standing in the centre was a man, eyes sharp, his armour gleamed white and silver. His expression was far from welcoming.
He stepped forward "I am Eryndor. Strategist to the Celestial Order."
His gaze moved over me; eyes filled with calculation.
"She's smaller than I expected."
"I can grow," I offered brightly.
The bronze-skinned celestial standing just behind Eryndor, let out a sudden bark of laughter, "I like her already" he came forward. "I'm Solen."
He was all warmth and sun, golden eyes shining, his dark hair a wild mess like he'd sprinted here through wind and joy.
Eryndor didn't even blink. "She's a variable. We don't welcome variables."
"You don't welcome anything that breathes out of rhythm," Solen muttered.
"I breathe just fine," I added, which only made Solen grin wider.
"I'm Caelom," another tall celestial stepped forward. He was tall, graceful, with honey-gold hair that shimmered in the light. His dark green eyes studied me. "Don't mind them. Not everyone reacts well to unexpected guests."
I smiled, they all seemed so unique.
Besides Caelom was a woman in shimmering robes, her indigo hair floated around her like smoke.
Her eyes—deep violet and endless—watched me without blinking.
"Thalira," she said simply.
I stared. Not at her magic or the way the garden bent slightly around her presence.
But at her.
I didn't remember anything about Elira, so she was the first woman I had ever seen.
Her voice carried like wind through old trees.
"I dreamed of you once." My breath caught.
"What… did I do?"
Thalira tilted her head. "You broke something."
"Charming," Damian muttered.
"Thalira sees more than she says," Ren murmured. "Don't take her riddles personally."
"My turn!" Another woman.
This one was the opposite of Thalira. She bounced forward practically glowing with energy. Her hair was a vibrant red and her eyes shone emerald.
"Lyra," she said, voice like music. "You're so much prettier than Ren described."
I blinked. "He described me?"
"He said you were curious and a little reckless," she said, linking her arm with mine without asking. "Which means we're going to be great friends."
"I like her," I whispered to Damian.
"She's dangerous."
"She's sparkly."
"That's exactly what makes her dangerous."
Lyra led me to a circular table carved of moon-crystal. As we sat, a platter appeared—fresh fruits and pastries that shimmered with light. I gasped softly.
One fruit glowed and smelled like honey.
"The food won't bit back." Caelom said gently, settling into his seat.
"Unlike some of us," Solen added, winking.
We sat, and the questions began.
Simple ones at first. What I remembered. How long I'd had my wings. What my magic felt like when it surged.
I answered honestly. I didn't know how to lie well, and I didn't want to. My curiosity poured out like springwater. When I described the feeling of Bloom's magic—soft, steady, humming—they listened.
Although Eryndor kept looking at me with a look that made me think he didn't like me very much.
Lyra handed me a slice of something that sparkled like frost.
"She'll need to be tested."
"We already agreed," Ren said, standing as well. "You're not the High Order."
"No," Eryndor said, "but I've kept them from declaring her an active threat—for now. Don't mistake tolerance for trust."
He turned to leave, his armour catching the garden light.
Solen groaned, tossing a grape into his mouth. "And there he goes. The icy wind has left the party."
Lyra grinned. "He's just mad someone else is getting attention."
Thalira rose without a word and drifted toward the far edge of the garden, vanishing behind glowing vines.
Caelom looked at me with a small, unreadable smile. "You did well. Few can walk in here and stay that open."
I shrugged. "I don't know how to be anything else."
"Good. Keep it that way," he said, then followed after the others.
Only Lyra and Solen lingered.
"Come on," Lyra said brightly, grabbing my hand again. "Let's show you the stardew fields before anyone else decides to throw prophecy daggers at you."
"You're going to love it," Solen said, eyes bright. "Especially if you like things that sparkle."
I followed them, heart full, pendant warm, eyes wide.
"Kaelira," called Ren.
"Yes, Ren?"
"Stay here with Lyra and Solen. I must attend a celestial council summons. I'll come find you when I'm done."
"Okay," I said, waving at him until he disappeared.
"Ren?" Solen asked, his grin wide. "He never lets us call him anything other than Auren. When I called him Aurey, he pointed his sword at my neck and threatened me." He shivered.
I giggled. "It must be because he thinks I'm cute."
They laughed.
"Or he knew he couldn't beat you and a sword wouldn't scare you," D said in my mind.
Solen flopped backward onto a patch of glowing moss, hands behind his head, looking more like a lounging cat than a celestial guardian.
I sat cross-legged beside him, the pendant at my chest still warm. Lyra perched nearby, her knees drawn up, chin resting on them.
"You're not what I expected. Ren came to us and said he found someone stronger than him," she said, and then smiled like she meant it in the best way.
I tilted my head. "What did you expect?"
"I don't know. Someone more... dramatic? Or dangerous." Her tone was soft, thoughtful.
"I thought she'd be taller" Solen said.
"I am taller," I said. "When I stand on my toes."
Lyra giggled. "She's perfect."
My cheeks warmed. I glanced between them—Solen's easy warmth, Lyra's glowing presence—and something soft stirred in my chest. A kind of longing I didn't have a name for.
I turned to Lyra. "You're the second woman I've ever met."
Her smile faltered just a little. "Oh?"
"The first was Thalira. And she's… more like a star that forgot how to fall." I hesitated. "You're very different."
Lyra leaned in, curious. "And what do you think of us?"
"I think… I wish I'd met you sooner." The words surprised me, but they felt right. "I don't remember my creator. I've always been surrounded by boys. Not bad ones," I added quickly, placing a hand over the pendant. "But it's different. You're different."
Lyra's eyes softened. "That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me all week."
Solen sat up and stretched. "You're going to break a lot of hearts, you know."
"Break them how?" I asked, confused.
"With your honesty," Lyra answered before Solen could tease. "And that sparkle in your eyes when you ask questions like the world's still full of magic."
"It is," I said, meaning it.
She looked at me like she wanted to hug me again but held back.
"I'm glad you're here," she whispered.
So was I.
Somewhere behind the trees, wind rustled through glowing leaves. The garden sighed, and I let myself lean back, the stars twinkling softly above us like they were listening.
I'd never had friends before. Not like this.
I think I liked it.
And I think, maybe… they liked me too.
"Wanna come to my house Kaelira? You can spend the night if you want. Auren is probably only going to be back by the morning." Lyra asked.
"I would like that."