Page 107 of The Amber Sunburst

“Maybe that says something about our personalities.”

“Don’t be silly, darling, you are a ray of sunshine,” Zeno jokes, and the whole growing audience coos at Eudoxia’s bright red cheeks.

“Su-sure… whatever you say. Stupid.”

Zeno smiles, and Eudoxia face-palms. “Time to focus!”

“Yessir.”

“Survival instincts, no honor, darkest hours… What do those things make you think of?” she asks Zeno, who squints in thought.

“Sadness, maybe? Despair?”

“Sure, why not. I am despair?” Eudoxia asks and then sighs with unsurprised defeat at the red light that shines through her ring and the unpleasant buzzer sound.

“It’s okay, Xos. It was just our first try. We have time.”

“I know,” she says, then she jumps right back in. “I am unease?” she tries. Wrong.

Ophelia wants to scream at her that she is so close, don’t shift gears!

“Maybe we’re barking up the wrong tree?” Zeno asks, and Ophelia stiffens, but Eudoxia, thank the Forms, shakes her head.

“I think we’re onto something. Think about it… They leave their life behind with no honor and no humor. What makes someone forget who they are? Makes them run away? Makes them fend off love?” Eudoxia falls silent and her brows push together. “Oh,” she breathes.

“What?”

“I am fear.”

Ping!

The water flow into Zeno’s compartment stops.

Fear and love. What an ironically poignant pairing for these two pining fools.

“Both halves of the pair have completed the challenge. Await further instructions for the next three minutes.”

Money changes hands again, and, looking around, Ophelia can’t help but feel proud. Her friends are the first to finish both riddles out of everyone so far.

Then she remembers she’s got one more group to keep an eye on. She scans for Alexander and Kallias’ screen.

When she finds it, she’s surprised. She thought all the Priestesses would be gathered around—they talk about Alexander and Kallias nonstop—but there’s only one person standing in front of the television. Viewers and Priestesses glance at him in awe but don’t getting closer.

Thankfully, Ophelia has no notion of respect for anyone who hasn’t earned it, so she walks right up to the mystery man and stands next to him to watch Kallias and Alexander. They’re still struggling over Alexander’s riddle, not even started on Kallias’.

You boast you cannot fail,

blind to all you’ll never gain.

And if you see the things you want,

you fly and take your aim.

When you think you have a grasp,

they fade like morning dew.

You find things, then they turn and go,