Her joy spilled through her eyes, her smile pulling wide, bright as polished gold. She guided me through each movement, pointing out nuances while we sat among the commoners. No barriers, no thrones—just bodies pressed shoulder to shoulder in the clearing.
We followed the king and queen down winding paths carved between stone homes and woven awnings. We reached the shore where booths lined the beach, colors vivid beneath the climbing sun. Vendors shouted greetings over the surf. Anyone could approach Nienna or her parents. No guards blocked the way. But none spoke to me.
Draconis glanced; they scrutinized my mantle, but they didn’t speak.
The grain we supplied had softened their stares. Enough, maybe, to sway opinion. If I wanted Nereus’ favor, I needed his people behind me.
The dragons—now that was a different challenge.
The hours blurred, draining me. Greaves stuck to my side, close but never suffocating. He made space when Nienna nudged me toward conversation. But he never strayed far. Not with the beasts gliding overhead, wings outstretched like sails. Ronan sparked flame from his palm with casual flicks, more stage magic than threat, but the message stayed clear—no one dared strike a Draconis royal.
Which made the attack on Nienna back home even more jarring.
No assassin would be reckless enough to target them. Not unless they found her alone. Not unless they knew her gifts were weak.
The thought snagged in my mind, sharp and splintering. She’d been with her handmaiden. Nienna had told me—confessed—she was a poor Vessel.
Who else in Radaan would’ve known that?
“Kal?” Greaves bumped my shoulder, his eyes raking the crowd.
I blinked. “It’s nothing.” I shook my head, clearing the hazy thoughts. We never found solid answers about the assassination. This wasn’t the place to chase them.
Nienna glanced over her shoulder, lifting her hand to beckon me forward. The sun leaned close to the horizon. My legs ached from the endless walk, joints stiff, back screaming. But gods help me, I wouldn’t look weak in front of her or her people.
I stepped in beside her, and she slid her fingers into the crook of my elbow. My thumb hooked around my belt buckle. Together, we led the crowd toward a stage that gleamed under flickering lanterns. They followed like water drawn to the shore.
“It’s time for the dance,” she whispered, excitement coloring her voice.
“I thought Draconis dances were solo affairs.” I drew her closer with a subtle shift of my elbow. She burned with energy. I wanted every spark.
“Most are,” she said, eyes flashing. “Though we don’t move quite like the Sols.”
“Are you performing?” I asked. “Or trying to coerce me into it?”
“When I ask you to dance, Kallias—I won’t have to resort to trickery.”
My brows climbed. I blinked, wondering just what she would do—and when I would have to learn a new dance. Greaves didn’t know a single step of their style.
Mage lights floated above, casting silver across silk banners draped between tall poles. Lanterns swayed gently with the breeze. The illusion of walls wrapped the stage in a soft glow, though it stood open to the tide on one side. The crowd surged closer, and when the king and queen mounted the stairs, we followed.
Our footsteps vanished beneath the swell of voices. A covered section with benches offered the best view, elevated just enough to overlook the display. She tugged me toward the shadows behind her parents, deeper into the corner.
Greaves took his place at my side, and I dropped onto the cushioned bench. Nienna leaned in at once, her weight pressing warm against my arm, and I sat forward to ease the pull in my spine. She’d pulled us off-center—still close, but not obvious.
Knowing her, she chose this spot for privacy.
We were hidden from view against the back wall; the only chance of being seen was by the stage or if her parents turned.
I worried over the latter more.
“The first dance is by Ciana,” she whispered as the crowd shifted and settled.
Nereus muttered, rubbing his knee. His wife leaned in, said something low, then pointed across the platform.
Nienna’s calf pressed against mine.
I rolled my shoulder, wincing as the chains of Radaan jangled over my chest. Pain bloomed sharp in my joint. I sank into the seat, resigned to the ache until I could finally collapse into bed.
