“Forseeing something in meIcouldn’t see in myself.”
“I’vealways been a commander of vision,” they said, giving me a snarky smile.
Ishoved them playfully. “Smartass.”
“Learnedit from the best.”Theireyes dropped to theirprosthesis, and they made to grab it beforeIsnatched it away.Theygave me a puzzled look.
“MayItry something?”Theynodded again.
Ipulled a small brush and ink from the deep pocket of my dress.Avlynraised an eyebrow. “Youjust carry that around with you?That’sthe most…dijurkthingIhave ever seen.”
“Shutup and let me focus,”Isaid, without an ounce of venom.Iflipped the hand over and painted a series of glyphs on the inside, moving the brush slowly to form the curves so that each was a perfect inscription.Iset the brush beside me and steadied my breath, pulling a single spark of magic out of my heart and placing it in the enchantment.Itglowed a soft blue before the glyphs faded from sight.Ihelped attach the prosthesis back ontoAvlyn’sarm.
“So, what did that do—”Theireyes went wide asIslid my hand into their metal one.
“Ican feel you.”
“It’sjust a first attempt.Iwill have to work directly with the smith to make more involved work.Itwill be hard to design the metalwork around the structural basis of the enchantment, butIthinkI’vefound one who has the—what?”
Avlynwrapped their arms around me, their left hand coming to the back of my head as they pulled me into a deep kiss to whichIimmediately surrendered.Itdidn’t last nearly long enough before they pulled back.
“Youare amazing, you know that?”Isaid nothing, just looked into those beautiful, deep eyes as they held my face in their hands.
“Haveyou been dreaming about the sea again?”Avlynfinally looked away.
“Everynight.”
“So, what will you do?”
“I’mnot sure.I’venever…been away from the army.Neverbeen away from the king.Ha, you would think after five hundred years of living, the thought of something like that wouldn’t scare me so much.MaybeIreally am more broken thanIthought.”
“Someonetold me thatIwasn’t broken—only caged.I’vefinally gotten myself out of captivity, and it’s absolutely terrifying.But…maybe it wouldn’t be so scary ifIwasn’t alone.”
“Thinkingof sailing the high seas, my lady?
“Theworld’s a big place.Whoknows whereImight fly?TorisaidIcould charter a ship to anywhere my heart desired.”
“Nomore dragon rides for you, huh?”
Igave them the best smileIcould. “But,Avlyn,I—Idon’t know what this is between us.Iwould…be honored if you came with me, butIcan’t promise anything.”
Avlyn’ssmile grew to stretch nearly across their entire face.
“Justtwo adventurers sharing a boat on a perilous journey across the high seas, filled with ancient mysteries and reborn magic?Don’tgo getting the wrong idea about my intentions,Pallas.Thatdoesn’t sound romantic at all.”
Ismacked their shoulder again. “Good, glad you don’t have the wrong idea.”
“Sameto you.Iknow a few idiots who would love to come along and completely ruin any romantic mood.”
Igroaned, but my smile grew.Thatwas until a yell sounded from the open balcony doors behind us.
“Ourqueen calls, butI’llsee you this evening for the celebration?”
Avlynswept my hand up and kissed my knuckles gently. “Wouldn’tmiss it for the breaking of the world,Pallas.”
Epilogue
Abraxas
