Jassyn’s fingers tightened around the empty wine bottle. “Farine presented me with an offer after my last summoning.” Stomach churning, his mind veered away from what that next visit would entail. “She indicated I could have another tome if I—”
Choking on his drink, Vesryn spluttered a flurry of coughs. “You can’t be serious about returning to that hag’s estate.”
Now wishing there was more wine, Jassyn set the bottle aside before scrubbing a hand over his face. “It’s the only way.” He nearly asked Vesryn for a sip of that vile firewater. “I thought…if I had Stardust—”
“Absolutely not,” Vesryn said, pounding the ground with his fist. “You’re obviously drunk. Where are these books? Somewhere in that mansion?”
Jassyn nodded, the dregs of wine souring on his tongue. “Fynlas had a study.”
Unfolding himself, Vesryn rose and tipped his head back, emptying the flask before tossing it into the basket. Straightening his tunic, he opened a portal. Gaping between the gateway and his cousin, Jassyn’s mouth worked in a silent question.
“It’s been a while,” Vesryn said, rebinding his hair. “But I can probably still find my way around.”
Jassyn scrambled to his feet, primed to argue now that his mind had caught up with the prince’s plan. “You can’t barge into the Vallende estate and demand that research.”
Vesryn scoffed, offended. “Icould. But where’s the fun in that?” A frenzied glint shone in his eyes—a precursor Jassyn recognized all too well of the prince plotting something exceptionally maniacal. Vesryn interlaced his fingers, flexing his palms outward. Turquoise light warped around him. “I’m going tostealit.”
Surrendering his height—not by much—the illusion shortened Vesryn a few inches, adding a stockiness to his frame and a darker hue to his hair. Jassyn’s eyes popped when the prince’s clothes disappeared. A diaphanous curtain replaced his trousers, his chest left bare.
“Is this what the servants still wear?” Vesryn asked, morphed into a passable elven-blooded.
Jassyn stifled a nervous laugh at how ridiculous—and accurate—the illusion looked. “White now, instead of silver.”
Vesryn flicked his wrist, changing the color. Jassyn’s gaze shot back to his cousin’s face. The sheet of fabric was utterly miserable at concealing skin and Vesryn had no qualms about displaying what was underneath. Though Jassyn had a suspicion the prince hadenhancedhimself as part of the illusion.
“You’re the one who’s drunk,” Jassyn argued. “I don’t think this is a good idea.” Somehow losing his balance, he stumbled, catching himself on a boulder.
Vesryn arched a brow. “Everyone of note is at the palace tonight—it’s the perfect opportunity. And from what I remember, some type of inebriation is the usual state of the servants. I doubt it’ll take me five minutes.”
Intrigue waged war with the anxiety slinking through the dark corners of Jassyn’s mind. His shiver had nothing to dowith the mountain’s chilly air.Stars, I can’t believe I’m considering this.
“I’ll go with you,” he said in a rush, before indecision could constrict him.
Alarm prickled the back of his neck as Vesryn’s grin morphed into genuine excitement. The last time Jassyn had seen such a delighted look was seventy years ago when the prince had spun illusions of wraith to chase him down the corridors of the palace.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Jassyn momentarily wrestled with Essence before his power sparked and ignited. Squeezing his eyes shut, he wrapped himself in a similar scandalous illusion.
CHAPTER 40
SERENNA
Serenna busied herself with poring over one of Aesar’s tomes. Even though he would’ve already gleaned anything important, she had nothing better to do than to search for any clues as to where one of the remaining Hearts of Stars might be.
A few hours had passed since Fenn had peeled himself off the bathing chamber’s floor and shambled out of the Aerie for the evening.With those injuries, he’ll need weeks before returning to the—
A heavy cloak dropped onto the table. Serenna reared back in her seat. Having been so absorbed in skimming Aesar’s translations, she hadn’t heard anyone enter the sitting room.
Across from her, Fenn loomed with folded arms. Uncharacteristically out of his armor, his dark trousers glittered like scales, catching the light from the moons. His own cloak enveloped a loose tunic, unlaced halfway down his chest. Flaunting her tether’s key.
“What’s this for?” Serenna asked, touching the garment’s furry hood.
“We’re going outside.” Fenn crouched to indulge Aiko, whopadded over from a sofa to reap his attention—which she’d refused to tolerate from Serenna earlier with a flick of her tail. “Bundle up.”
Evading reminders of what the eclipsing moons’ glaring light meant for tonight, Serenna had selected a seat facing away from the open sky. She twisted around, looking out a window. “But the sun just set. I can’t imagine it’s pleasant out. And besides, you’re…” She frowned, examining Fenn’s completely healed face more closely. Her question was beyond skeptical. “DidLykormend you?”
“Aesar did. We discussed what happened.” Fenn engrossed himself in scratching Aiko’s tufted ear, coaxing out a purr that vibrated throughout the room. “In an unrelated matter, he thought you might enjoy watching the elven eclipse with company.”
Fenn’s comment was a flaming arrow punched into her gut. Serenna’s heart tumbled, thinking about the prince performing hisdutyin Kyansari. Aesar’s books had been an escape, a way of avoiding thinking about what the Summer Lunar Solstice meant.
