VISION ✔️ || The Keepers of Astraela #1

24.2 || Of Candles and Tea Time

EMRYS

OF ALL THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS the Darkness had robbed from Astraela, Faeran's home was not one of them.

The moment they stepped inside, a blast of cold relieved Emrys' sweltering skin. Wiping the sweat from his brow was no longer a futile effort with his lingering perspiration drying by the second. Twinkling ice blue crystals floated along the ceiling, hardly the size of a pin's head. While near invisible to the naked eye, their glimmer shone like diamonds in his keen avian sight. Their magic worked far better than those damned boxes he'd shoved in the library windows—something Eva had called "air conditioning."

A jab to his side turned his focus to Mystia. She glanced over her shoulder, where Faeran was distractedly introducing himself to Eva.

"Since when does a little heat bother you?" she whispered.

Emrys' nose crinkled. "When do you think?"

They were interrupted by rustling fabric as Faeran approached the entryway to the living room. His long, black dress faulds grazed the floor, billowing silk around his leather-clad legs at his gesture for the others to enter. When the fabric settled, he took notice of the garment and smoothed it down.

"Pardon my stiff attire." Faeran laughed. "Have to keep up appearances for walk-in readings!"

It was a convenient excuse. The elf's over-the-top attire, complete with a fitted leather corset vest that showed a hint of chest hair, was not for his clients. It was proven when the flick of Faeran's wrist overtook his clothing in a shower of sparks. The embers dissolved into charcoal, velvet pajamas, complete with his favorite pair of woolen slippers. Pinpricks of light flitted in Mystia's eyes, unveiling a giddy smile that couldn't be hidden.

Not that Emrys could blame her; it was hard to resist a man who was equally attractive as he was charming—all fine linen and grace and utter beauty. The only exception seemed to be Eva, who stared at the elf hesitantly.

They followed Faeran into the cluttered living room, filled to capacity with enough magical trinkets to fuel the entire town. Emrys ducked repeatedly to avoid cracking his head on the ceramic flower pots suspended in mid-air. Dangling herbs tickled his nose, forcing him to hold back an army of sneezes.

At the far corner of the room, a small, circular table was piled with tarot cards, crystals, and a tray of smoldering herbal rolls. Faeran muttered a quiet apology for the mess as he tossed handfuls of items onto an overstuffed armchair nearby. The not-so-gentle approach made the objects bounce off the cushion, onto the floor, and sent a few crystal spheres rocketing into the fireplace on the opposing wall. Flames licked the brick exterior angrily, turning a different shade of the rainbow with every foreign shard that enchanted its kindling.

Once finished tossing his belongings wherever he found spare room, only a crystal ball and the ashtray were left at the center of the table. Faeran pulled out chairs for each of them.

"Please, sit!"

Emrys and Mystia took their seats without hesitation. Eva, however, hung back warily. She continued to watch Faeran flounce about the room, scouring mounds of magical items. Emrys cleared his throat to get her attention before patting the dining chair beside him. Finally, she sat down, but not without another sideways glance in the elf's direction.

Faeran returned moments later with a frosted Nectar bottle that exuded a pink glow. Placing it in front of his empty seat, he waved a hand over the table, and its silver cloth glowed with radiant light. The blinding burst soon dimmed to reveal a spread of tea and baked goods fit for nobility.