“Okay,” he had said. And Gods, the way he said it—casual like, but so deeply full of hope. And he did recover. I wrote to tell my father I had found my perfect lead guard if he would fund his education. And he had.
Kalyan may think he got lucky. May think he got to be my friend and my guard only because he looks like and can impersonate me. He may even think he can be fired. But he’s got it so wrong. I’m the lucky one to be friends with a guy who almost bled to death, lost his parents and his lower leg, and yet knows orange skies still exist.
And now I feel as if it is my duty to find Adraa and let her rub in the fact that one’s favorite color is an acceptable and telling question. But maybe that would further present me as conceited.
“Wait, favorite color? Is that an Adraa thing?” Kalyan asks.
I face him and the fading sun. “If you are about to make a joke—”
“No, no joke. Wait, I’ll be right back.” Kalyan jogs over to the barracks and disappears. I turn to the palace and begin mapping out how many people I have to talk to, how many reports I need to read. Curiosity at Kalyan’s outburst and instructions grounds me, but obligation pulls at me to get up and get back to work.
Kalyan barrels back across the field. “I think this is yours.” He offers up something flimsy and small. It’s an envelope, an envelope with Jaya’s handwriting on the front.
I jump to my feet quicker than any living animal and tear it open.
Hey,
So I have that shipment that still needs to be hauled back to its rightful owner.
Meet me one before dusk?
Sincerely,
A girl whose favorite color is pink
I scrutinize the sun and its drooping form mocks me. “When did you get this?”
“Early this morning.”
I grumble and wipe my neck. “Why didn’t you give it to me sooner?”
“Firstly, it hasmyname on it. Secondly, I safeguard all incoming mail. But know what? I’ll start handing over all the wild proposals or death threats Azure Palace receives from now on since you are so interested.”
“I’ve got to go.”
“So it’s from her, then?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, good luck forming a normal relationship or whatnot when the girl is already speaking in code.”
“Yeah, but it’s code I understand!” I yell over my shoulder as I run. I think Kalyan’s call of “for now” is meant to slam into my back, but it pushes me forward instead.
The sun yawns to the east, splashing the sky in an orange glaze, which means Kalyan didn’t get my note, ignored it, or couldn’t get away from Azure Palace. I hope it’s the too-busy one. I glance at all the firelight even though I know how much is left. I’ve already flown home three times with saddlebags full of it. But since I have to deliver a thousand orbs to Azure Palace in a few days I was hoping Kalyan would still appear and help me haul. But it might be too late for that.
My heart races as I reload my saddlebag. Why am I this anxious? Is it because I don’tjustwant Kalyan to help haul? Maybe…I want to see his face again. He does have a nice smile, an amazing smile. I stare at my right hand. It’s probably my imagination, but the pressure of his hand squeezing mine lingers.
For the twentieth time I wrestle with my conscience. Kalyan doesn’t need to know who I really am. It’s safer that way. But the truth swells to the surface and pulses where he touched me. It feels good not being a royal around Kalyan, maybe…too good.
“Hey,” a voice calls.
I jump, a spasm that seizes my heart and flips it sideways. “Blood!” I gasp.
Kalyan stands by the wooden pier with a guilty smile. My heart hammers away. I breathe to calm it down, but it continues to pound. It’s the fright, I tell myself.
He holds up his arms in surrender. “Sorry, that wasn’t revenge for the other night or anything. I’m just glad you’re still here.”
“So you did get the letter.”Gods, Adraa, what a stupid question. He is standing right before you. Of course he got the letter.
