"What?!" Fort's jaw dropped open. "You left out a lot of details about your Nightmare. I will need a full report later."
Noble chuckled softly.
"Sorry, but that one was intentional. I wanted to savor the surprise. When I returned the hand mirror and nearly got pulled into the Great Mirror, I unlocked my legacy. I still don't know exactly how it happened, but I am not about to look down on a gift like that."
The new Saint had saved this discovery for last, not because she was disinterested. Quite the contrary! People built clans around Aspect Legacy Relics. While Noble had no intention of forming a clan, she still valued this priceless treasure.
This was the new light in the sky of her Soul Sea. It was connected to her like the tether of the belt had been, and when Noble looked at the Runes, she could see why.
Aspect Legacy: [Soul Bloom]
Description: [With corruptive power within grasp, only the noble of heart can produce flowers instead of thorns.]
'Yeah, that one is definitely aimed at me.' Noble had long suspected that the Spell was at least partially sentient.
The description only made her more certain of her conviction. It also gave her a clue as to what she did to complete the requirements to unlock the relic.
Child of Promise had had power in her grasp not once, but twice. Both the Portcullis Key and the Hand Mirror had the potential to bring her great power. Twice she had been tempted by something beyond herself, yet neither time had the offer held any allure.
Noble cared more about people than power. And it was that care that drove her quest for strength. If selfish thirst for glory were the only path to corruption, then she was all but immune.
Corruption came in many forms, though, and so Noble would not let the words of the Spell give her a swelled head.
'There is still the chance that it isn't talking about me,' she reminded herself. 'Don't get cocky.'
Fort's expectant gaze told her she had stalled long enough. The sun was getting lower in the sky, and they were due home for dinner soon. More than that, Nights in this area were bitterly cold. Noble's charm would be less useful as the temperature dropped.
"Here goes nothing!" Noble summoned the Legacy Relic.
What would this bloom look like, and what would its power be?
Sparks formed in front of her face. Then more sparks. Then...more in the same spot? No, the relic was the sparks!
Noble reached out to touch the golden light when it zipped away at great speed.
It reminded Noble of a pixie she had once read about in a book with a boy who refused to grow up. The pixie in the story had caused no end of trouble, making Noble wonder what she was in for just now.
The exuberant spark spun around Fort, tugging off his hat as it passed by. The man barely caught the woolen cap before it hit the ground.
"What is that?" He asked, tracking the trail of light as it zigged and zagged.
"My Legacy Relic!" Noble was just as stunned as he was.
The thing seemed to have boundless energy, shooting around like a ball bouncing off invisible walls. What a strange development!
What could be the purpose of something so small?
"I'll catch it!" Fort bent his knees.
"No need. I think I can..." Noble's words came too late.
As the little trail of sparks came near, he cupped his hands a moment before the relic reached him. The trap snapped shut around it.
"Got you!" Fort announced triumphantly.
Noble came close, ready to peek at the tiny thing that her husband now held.
"Oh, OH!" Fort opened his hands. "Bee! Look!"
As the sparks finally faded, Noble's eyes opened wide. "You've got to be kidding me."
Her husband cradled the tiny being. "Aren't you precious!"
The creature in his hands blinked up at him. Understanding his words and his friendly intentions, it curled up its legs and came to rest on his palms. It gave a contented sigh.
"My, oh my," Fort stroked the little body gently. "It's the most adorable thing I've ever seen. Other than you and the kids, I mean."
Noble was less amused. "Hey, little one! That's my husband! I don't like the idea of you cozying up to him like that."
The handsome ambassador looked up from his palm with a smirk. "Are you jealous?"
"Of my Legacy Relic? No!" Noble tilted up her nose.
"Good, because she is an extension of you. Why wouldn't she like me?" The man continued to stroke the little creature, careful not to harm its tiny wings.
"She?" Noble had barely gotten a good look at her new treasure, and already Fort had all but named it!
"Yes, she. You are a girl, aren't you?" The man cooed.
The relic flapped two little wings and held up her stinger proudly.
"See? A little lady, if ever I saw one." Fort nodded in triumph. "And she's travel size for your convenience."
Noble's expression softened. The creature had good taste in men; there was no doubt about that. And she was pretty cute. That wasn't a word that was usually associated with anything created by the Spell, so that made her relic extra special, didn't it?
"Alright, you win," Noble smiled at her husband before addressing the creature nestled in his hand. "Come here and let me get a proper look at you."
For a moment, she thought the little one would not obey. Helios had gone against her command the night before when she was fighting the Entwined. Was she doomed to have another companion that did what it pleased?
Thankfully, her worry was unfounded. The peppy little critter popped up and shook, sending small tufts of fuzz in every direction.
With something that sounded like a tiny sneeze, she flapped her wings and flew directly at her mistress.
Noble held out her finger, and the creature landed lightly on it. The long, fuzzy strands from the abdomen tickled Noble's skin.
The Saint smiled down at the little thing.
"Travel size, indeed. I doubt any but the most keen observer would see you if you hitched a ride in their pack." Noble regarded the sharp point at one end. "And should they discover you, I think you would be able to fend for yourself."
The small creature nodded and stood a little taller on her six legs.
Fort crossed his arms, taking in the sight with immense enjoyment.
"Two precious ladies right there. I wonder what Helios will think."
"Don't be silly." Noble secretly wondered the same.
The creature tilted her head, and her mistress chuckled softly.
"I'm sure he will be as smitten as we are."
"What are you going to name her?"
For once, Noble didn't have to agonize over what to call her new little friend. The Spell had called her Legacy relic the Soul Bloom, and this little creature was the sweetest thing she had seen in a long time.
"Her name? That's easy. I'll call her Nectar."
The black and gold critter buzzed in agreement. For, of course, Nectar was a bee.