A Court of Stars and Memories

62. Questions and Joy

    Mitsi approached the house cautiously, scanning the windows and doors for any sign of having been noticed. She wasn't purposefully trying to avoid being seen, but she was hoping to make it to her room in time to change her clothes before running into anyone. Not that different clothes would hide the scent of where she'd been and what she'd been doing.

    Mitsi held her head high despite the blush lingering in her cheeks, which only deepened when the front doors swung open just as she reached the gates. Corbin strode down the steps and met her on the pathway. "How's Lys?" He asked.

    "He's all right," Mitsi replied, nervously twirling a lock of hair around her finger. "He was just upset about what happened with Celeste in Windhaven."

    Anger flared in Corbin's eyes. "Did he tell you what she said? Nyx and I didn't hear much."

    Mitsi nodded and briefly explained the events of the argument to Corbin, but left out the dark thoughts and feelings Lysander had admitted to her, as well as the state she'd found him in. By the time she was finished, Corbin's hands were curled into fists at his side and his features were stony with anger.

    "I'm glad that bitch left already or I'd be tempted to give her another piece of my mind," he growled. After a moment, Corbin exhaled slowly and forced himself to relax. "Thank you for checking on him. I'll let Nyx know he's all right."

    A knowing smirk slid across his lips and he patted her shoulder while stepping around her. "It's probably for the best that you were the one who went to check on Lys, if your scent insinuates what it took to help him feel better."

    Mitsi gasped and rounded on him, but Corbin had already leapt into the air. A cold breeze carried his laughter back to her. Mitsi blushed harder and stomped up the stairs and into the house. Thankfully, she didn't run into anyone else on her way to her room. She slipped inside quickly and closed the door before grabbing a change of clothes. She'd barely tugged her dress on when there was a knock at the door.

    "Come in," Mitsi sighed.

    Mina poked her head in, then entered and closed the door again. "There you are. I was beginning to think I'd have to come looking for you."

    "Were you and Micah worried?"

    "I wasn't but Micah has been looking all over Velaris for you this morning. I told him you had probably stayed at Lysander's but you know how he is." Mina sat on the bed and crossed her arms. "But I see I was right."

    Mitsi lowered her head with a groan. "Is everyone going to tease me today?"

    "It's hard not to when it's so obvious."

    Mitsi just rolled her eyes and clasped her locket around her neck. "Well if you must know, yes, I stayed at his house and yes, I slept with him."

    "I'm impressed. I didn't think you'd ever admit your feelings to him."

    "Why?" She glanced back at her sister, arching a brow.

    Mina shrugged and began picking at her nails absently. "Because of what being with him would require." Mitsi seated herself at her desk and pulled a fresh sheet of paper close. She began to write, even as she answered Mina.

    "I've had a long time to think about it. I discussed it with Colette, Wynter, and Ellie through my letters and they all helped me make sense of my own thoughts and desires. Wynter and Ellie also promised that if Lys and I chose to be together, they'd help create ways for us to see one another regularly after we go home."

    "Do you even plan to go home now?"

    She paused and bit her lip. "Of course. I don't see why I wouldn't. It's not as if I'm going to start living with Lysander already."