Seven Courts of Love and Magic

Chapter 40

Nyx

I kneel beside Zaria in the sand, pulling her wet hair from her face. She coughs up salt water, soaking the sand in front of her. I run a comforting hand along her back. "It's okay. It's okay."

She flops onto her back and, to my surprise, starts laughing. I fall back in relief, my arms against my knees. "Why are you laughing?"

"Maybe I'm in shock." She chokes out another laugh, pulling her hand out from the pocket of her dress. "And maybe because I got this."

My mouth falls open, the clam having completely escaped my mind. "You got it," I whisper.

She nods, swallowing and sitting up. The clam is small against her even smaller hand. A pale pink shell in the center of her palm. It lets off a slight glow. She clasps the edges with her finger nails, yanking it open to uncover the fluorescent pearl. She swallows again, looking up at me with clear eyes. I sit back completely and she looks down to the pearl, her voice is barely above a whisper when she says, "I'm scared of what's going to happen to us—when we leave, when we go back home. I know I've said it before, but it's the truth. What's going to happen to us, Nyx?" She lifts the pearl, her eyes locked on mine.

I shake my head, gathering her into my arms. "Nothing is going to happen."