Caelen, beside her, stared at her with a longing she missed in his eyes. I could see it clear as day. He wanted to reach for her too, but knew he was unwelcome.
Get in line.
I stepped forward as if I couldn’t help it, moving towards her through the crowds that separated for me like the tide. I walked up to the prince and met him.
He looked taken aback at my size. Jasper, who was next to him, introduced me. Behind me I felt Leo sneak by, instinctively putting a space between Elira and the prince.
“Slade Archenwald, meet Prince Caelen of Sorrowsea,” Jasper said evenly.
Caelen extended his hand.
I looked at it.
That was all.
Long enough to make it clear.
Caelen’s smile faltered. He hesitated, then let the hand drop back to his side.
Smart move.
“So, I guess we all have you and your brothers to thank for returning Elira to us,” Caelen said, voice smooth and practiced. He smiled at me—diplomatic, harmless.
I grunted.
That was all he got.
Jasper, catching the silence and probably trying to save face, stepped in quickly.
“Slade was a Shade,” he said, his tone light. “Like Phoenix. And—”
He glanced around, only to realize the space beside us was now conspicuously empty.
“Leo,” he finished, dryly.
Caelen turned, just in time to see Leo guiding Elira into the crowd, a hand lightly resting at her back.
For the first time, the prince’s composure cracked. Just a flicker.
And I didn’t bother hiding my smirk.
“A Shade?” Caelen asked, still trying to sound casual. “Does that mean you’re magicborn? If you don’t mind me asking—what’s your skill?”
I flicked my fingers once. The top button of Caelen’s cloak snapped free.
It hovered in the air between us, spinning slowly.
His smile faltered.
Another flick.
The button flattened midair with a metalliccrackand dropped neatly into my palm.
I didn’t say a word. Just handed it back to him.
Caelen paled slightly, flustered but trying not to show it.
“Metal,” he said faintly, “That’s...impressive.”
