Page 78 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

I knew she was getting stronger from Trysten’s reports, but seeing her move today was something else entirely. Swords are still her hurdle, but the way she handles her blades and Hallo is breathtaking. It’s a lethal kind of grace that makes the Aethermark in my blood hum with pride.

“Anders,” King Bastian says, his voice pulling me back from the edge of my thoughts. “I’d like for you to accompany me after dinner for a drink in my study. We have much to discuss.”

I nod, the "Prince" mask sliding back into place even as my leg brushes against Raea’s under the table. “I’d love to, sir.”

We’re seated to the King’s left, with the Queen across from us and our friends trailing down the table. It feels strange—our two worlds have fused so seamlessly.

“Raea,” Queen Amaya starts, her eyes narrowing as she leans forward. The chatter dies instantly, and heads swivel toward us. “What is that?”

Raea looks at me, her eyes searching mine for a heartbeat before she turns to her mother. A radiant grin—the one I’d give anything to protect—lights up her face. “An engagement ring.”

Ciara squeals, launches out of her seat, and rushes over as King Bastian chuckles. Trysten gives me a knowing look and nods.

Queen Amaya turns to King Bastian who shrugs. “You didn’t tell me,” she scoffs playfully. “Let me see that ring, dear,” she says to Raea.

Raea stands, rounding the table to her mother and Ciara. “I was going to tell you, but everything changed⁠—”

Queen Amaya shushes her daughter as Ciara wipes tears from her eyes.

King Bastian winks at me. He knew of my plans. I didn’t want to upset him by not asking for his blessing.

“Isn’t that a commoner’s tradition?” Tate asks, his voice cutting through the celebratory squeals. He looks at the ring from across the table as if it’s a curiosity rather than a declaration of my love and her choice.

I feel the phantom weight of my father’s disdain echoing in the comment—the idea that royals don't choose, they only contract. But one look at Raea's radiant grin tells me we’re always going to make our own rules.

“Hey,” Raea says, joining the conversation. “It was romantic. He had a whole date planned and every second of it was perfect.”

Tate raises his hands in surrender.

“Nicely done,” Trysten says.

Kellan clears his throat. “I’d like to congratulate you both. I’m sorry for my actions, and I want you to know, I’m genuinely happy for you. I’m glad that my best friend has found someone to love her better than I ever could have.”

Queen Amaya startles, looking first at Kellan, then at me.

King Bastian pats her hand as if to say, later dear.

Raea offers him a small, broken smile. “Thanks, Kel.” After a few awkward moments of silence, she adds, “He took me to his family’s private beach…” then recounts a short and simple, not so intimate version of our evening.

King Bastian clinks his glass to mine. “To my new son. You’ll not get it until you have your own children one day, but seeing my girl happy, it’s all I've ever wanted. You’ve given her that.”

I nod my thanks.

“Well, I wanted to talk to you about a meeting I had with the crowns earlier today. They’ve all been informed of your missing fleet, and they’ve joined our side. They believe King Alexi’s actions have proven where his loyalties lie. I know your analysts have been going over the scans of Khyreth. Have they made any real progress?”

I sit forward, the leather chair squeaking under me. “No, sir. It’s been difficult to decipher what it means. We fear that without another mission, we may not fully understand. All we can see is that the landscape has changed. There are rows upon rows of something. Some sections show rings, denser at the center, thinner as they go out. But as far as understanding what the material is or what is there…” I shake my head.

He hums, knocking his knuckle on the handle of the chair. “I have a theory.” He stands, setting his glass on the bookshelf as his gaze becomes distant. “The Drift. It’s something I’ve been looking into. First, as a possible means for protection, but then Raea said something.” He pauses, turning to me. “Did you know the Drift is nicknamed the heart of the system?”

“Yes, sir.”

He nods. “Well, Sgya. Is it not also the heart of the system?” My mind feels like it's playing catch-up. “We believe the Drift may be a back door, so to speak, to Sgya. You were both allowed there once before. Maybe you will be again. You’d have to leave first thing in the morning, of course.”

“I’m sorry, sir.” I clear my throat, standing and swirling the amber liquid. “You want Raea and me to go into the Drift…and access Sgya…like a backdoor?”

King Bastian laughs. “Why, yes, I’d like you to try. Maybe the gods can give us answers. We can’t just sit around waiting.”

I look into the amber liquid, my thoughts swirling. I sit again, the leather of the chair groaning under my sudden tension. The Drift is impossible, and nobody has ever returned. To use it as a backdoor to Sgya is more than a theory—it’s a gamble with our lives.