‘Looking forward to it,’ I tell him, and it’s the truth. The other Heirs have had years to figure out the complexities of their gifts, and I have a lot to learn before I’m anywhere near ready for the first trial.
Shaking all thoughts of Elva from my head, I smooth my features into a smile as we walk together across the palace grounds towards the Keep.
That evening I stand in front of the mirror while Spinner fusses with the hem of my dress and Elva wrestles my hair into two thick braids. We haven’t spoken since her revelation this morning. There’s still so much I want to ask her, about Obsidia and the Otherlands, about how she came to be in Ostacre, about what happened to her family.
Spinner holds up two sets of earrings. ‘Pearls or sapphires?’
I shrug. ‘Either is fine.’
‘Sapphires, then. No, maybe pearls. Or how about both?’
My chaperone is wearing what is without a doubt the shortest dress I have ever seen. She has me spin for her, then selects a pair of bright-blue slippers. As she bends down I get a good look at the tattoo on the nape of her neck. It’s of an open eye.
‘I always thought it was a myth that the Eyes have those,’ I say.
‘Nope, no myth.’ She straightens up and smiles wickedly. ‘It means we can watch you even when our backs are turned.’
I scoff, but her words still send sharp prickles up my spine.
At that moment there’s a knock on the door. Spinner skips across the room to open it, revealing Hal. It’s only been a few days since I last saw him, yet I’m struck again by just how beautiful he is. Raven hair, ivory skin, eyes gleaming black in the candlelight. The spitting image of his ancestor, the Maker. God of Gods, come to life.
To my embarrassment, I find myself momentarily tongue-tied, an affliction that, fortunately, my chaperone does not share.
‘Your Imperial Handsomeness. To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?’
I’m convinced that no one would ever risk curtsying in a dress as short as hers, but Spinner proves me wrong.
Hal smiles. ‘I was just passing and wondered if Blaze might like an escort.’
A familiar blush creeps into my cheeks.
‘How very thoughtful. Isn’t he thoughtful, Blaze?’ Spinner winks at me, and I find myself wishing I could fall through the floor. I just about manage a small curtsy before she gives me an indiscreet shove in the prince’s direction.
Hal seems pleased to find me in better spirits, even more so to hear about the resurgence of my water gifts. Each time I glance up to look at him, I discover that he’s already looking down at me, which makes me feel slightly giddy, as though my veins were filled with champagne bubbles rather than blood.
Tucking my hand into the crook of his arm, he guides me through the sea of stares and whispers, and for once I barely notice them.
‘No ball this evening?’ I ask as we reach the throne room.
‘My father has requested that the courts gather here,’ he says.
Unease pools in my stomach as Spinner ushers us over to where Flint is standing with Cole and Elaith. Sheen hovers moodily at the edge of their circle, neatly sidestepping my chaperone as she attempts to kiss him on the cheek.
‘I’ll take it if he doesn’t want it,’ Flint tells her.
Spinner grins, rising up on to her tiptoes and planting a kiss on his cheek instead.
‘Where did you disappear off to after training, Blaze?’ Elaith asks.
‘I was in the library.’
‘I didn’t even know this place had a library,’ she says. ‘Whatever do you do in there?’
Flint rolls his eyes. ‘What do youthinkone does in a library, Elaith?’
‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ she says, pressing a hand to her chest. ‘I didn’t realize you were such an expert,Flint Flameborn. In fact, I didn’t even realize you could read.’
Flint wags a finger at her. ‘Now, now. Though it is true that my sister employs her time far better than I do. She’s the clever one, and I’m the –’
