Kate twirled, her dress flowing around her, as her gaze darted left and right, marveling at the sight before her. Her cheeks glowed with excitement, much like a child’s uncontainable joy, and her eyes sparkled like diamonds. Shay led her down a winding path, surrounded by blossom trees in vibrant reds, whites, pinks, and yellows. The flowers glowed like streetlights in the dark, their brilliance illuminating the entire grove.

The flowers drifted through the air, a fragrant drifted through the air, a fragrant rainstorm of petals. Kate stretched out her arms, catching them as they descended. She brought a few to her nose and inhaled. A heavenly blend of lavender and honey enveloped her senses, and a small smile spread across her lips.

“They smell so sweet,” Kate told Shay, placing a petal against her lips, as though savoring its essence. It was warm and soothing, a fleeting moment of perfect serenity, she thought.

As they ventured further down the path, Kate noticed groups of women gathered under the trees, practicing swordplay. Some wielded swords alone, their movements deliberate and graceful. Others sparred in pairs or small groups. Kate’s gaze flitted between them: women clad in flowing white dresses that billowed as they turned, and others dressed in fitted black trousers and shirts, exuding an aura of discipline. Most striking, they all shared the same piercing blue eyes, their beauty both captivating and unsettling.

“Is it some sort of tradition?” Kate asked, her curiosity bubbling to the surface as she glanced at Shay, who had been silent with her hands clasped behind her back.

“What is?” Shay replied, not meeting Kate’s gaze.

“The eyes. Why do you all have the same blue eyes?” Kate pressed, her tone as inquisitive as a child asking endless questions.

Shay glanced at her briefly, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. “You have them too,” she said simply.

Kate’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I do?” she asked, blinking rapidly. Her fingers brushed against her eyelids as if to confirm Shay’s words. “Jason told me I had beautiful eyes...” she muttered, a dreamy smile tugging at her lips. For a moment, her heart fluttered with pride, but the thought quickly soured.

Does this mean my eyes aren’t unique? Panic bloomed in her chest. Jason said they made me special... but if everyone here has them... oh no!

She darted in front of Shay, spreading her arms wide to block her path.

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Shay skidded to a halt, her brows knitting together in mild irritation. She shifted her weight to one hip, arms crossing as she cocked her head.

“What now?”

Kate opened her mouth but no words came out. Her gaze snagged on Shay’s ocean-blue eyes, the intensity catching her off guard. Her chest tightened slightly, heat creeping up her neck. She blinked, shaking herself free from the sudden haze.

“Do I really have these eyes?” she asked, almost to herself.

Shay smirked and nodded.

Heat crept up Kate’s neck, and she bit her lower lip, her face flushing a deeper pink. Embarrassed, she quickly stepped aside, letting Shay pass. But as she followed, a knot of annoyance twisted in her stomach. Those eyes should have been just for her. They had made me special, she thought, pursing her lips.

The path widened, revealing a sprawling green field. At its center stood a grand tower, surrounded by people engaged in various forms of training—swordsmanship, archery, horseback riding, and hand-to-hand combat. Kate’s eyes widened, her jaw dropping as she caught sight of a woman in a white dress spinning gracefully with twin blades. Electric-blue currents crackled along the swords, dancing from the woman’s fingertips to the tips of the blades.

“What... what is that?” Kate stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Magic,” Shay replied, her gaze fixed on the woman.

“She’s practicing magic with blades.”

“Ma...gic?” Kate’s lips formed an “O” as she struggled to comprehend what she was seeing. Shay’s tone turned brisk. “Let’s go In. Isabel must be waiting for you in the tower.”

Kate glanced up at the imposing structure, its height dizzying. Her eyes wandered to the rooftop, where groups of people laughed and chanted together, their voices carrying a sense of camaraderie.

How cheerful... how peaceful, Kate thought, her heart aching with envy. The scene exuded a harmony she had longed for—a stark contrast to her life of loneliness, locked away with only her brother, Jeff, and their friends for company. For the first time in years, she felt alive.

Inside the tower, the lobby unfolded in grand splendor. Marble floors gleamed beneath the light of five magnificent chandeliers hanging from the lofty ceiling. Kate’s gaze traveled upward, her mouth agape. The room buzzed with life; people moved about, laughing and chatting as they went about their business.

“Can we move on?” Shay asked, shaking her head in mild amusement.

Blinking out of her reverie, Kate followed Shay up a sweeping staircase. Her hand trailed along the polished wooden banister, its smooth, cool surface sending a pleasant shiver through her fingertips.

They walked down a corridor lined with glowing bulbs that bathed the passage in a warm, golden light. A metal door creaked open at the end of the hallway, revealing a cozy room with wooden floors and a chandelier casting a soft glow. Shelves filled with books lined one wall, and plush chairs invited guests to sit and linger.

Kate entered the room, and Shay gently shut the door behind her. Kate’s attention, however, was captured by a woman seated on one of the chaise lounges. Her flowing white hair cascaded to her waist, strikingly contrasting the black gown draped elegantly over her frame. Jewelry sparkled at her ears, neck, and wrists, catching the light like tiny stars.

The woman turned, her piercing blue eyes locking onto Kate. A smile spread across her perfectly sculpted face, and Kate’s breath caught in her throat.