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“It was his idea,” Noah began.
Immediately that twinge formed again. I’d wanted the surprise to be from Noah only and not from both of them.
Shut up, Cora,my subconscious screamed at me. It’s a real telescope.
“We bought the same one he had, since he said you were so in awe of his. I can see we made the right choice.”
“It’s mine?” I stopped walking and stared at Noah, my jaw dropping. I’d thought it was a treat to come out and look at the stars, not that he was giving me my own telescope.
“Of course it’s yours,” he laughed. “Did you think I stole the king’s?”
“No, I just… Oh Noah, it’s perfect. Thank you so much,” I said, throwing my arms around his neck.
He pulled me tight, letting the embrace linger until I pulled back.
“Okay, show me something cool then, let’s go,” he said, finally stepping away.
I leaned forward, making some small adjustments to the lens. It was hard to remember since I’d only seen one in school and then read about them, but after a few trial-and-error attempts I had it exactly where I wanted it.
“Come see,” I said, waving to Noah as I remained leaning down looking at the North Star.
I stepped aside, instructing him as he, too, leaned over.
“Where I’m from, we call it the North Star. I learned the fae refer to it as—"
“Luceque Radiante.”
“Yes,” I said. “While the name is different, the purpose is the same. Our North Star is used as a guiding light. A way for people to find north when they’re traveling or exploring. And it is the brightest star in our sky, as it is yours.”
Noah let out a breath. “Fascinating.”
“Isn’t it?” I asked.
He leaned back and I immediately took my spot again, still in awe that there were any similar connections to our worlds.
“I may not have a passion for stars like my father, but it’s hard to ignore the brightest star in the sky,” Noah said as I continued moving the telescope around. I pulled back, instead looking up with the naked eye and seeing the shining star as I always had.
“Maybe there were times I watched Luceque Radiante while you were looking at it too. Before we even met we could have been connected that way sometimes.” His hand touched the small of my back and I shivered at the words, and the moment.
At my shiver, Noah pulled his hand away and took a step back from me. “I should leave you to your new gift. I have some matters to attend to.”
“Thank you, Noah. More than I can say.”
He bowed his head and retreated from the alcove. I stared after the shadow of his figure for a few more seconds, hating the tense divide growing between us.
I looked back up at the North Star and stuffed those feelings down as much as I could as I returned to the telescope to focus on appreciating what I did have at the moment. And trying not to think about these fleeting moments that I feared were going to disappear forever.
* * *
“You young feeders think you have all the time in the world. Lazy.” The gruff voice of one of the older housekeeper here jarred me from my sleep.
The woman, old enough to be my grandmother by quite a few years, yanked my cover off.
“Hey!” I shouted, alarmed at the intrusion in my room and at the way she just stripped my own bed of its covers, not bothering to wonder if I was decent underneath, or not caring.
“The bell has been ringing in the halls for the staff for fifteen minutes. And I won’t tolerate anyone being late today. Get up, Coraline Fray.”
Her orders were delivered harshly, and the mere linger of a threat behind them had me risen and waiting to see if she had any other ways to dress me down before going about my morning. I was shocked she knew my full name.
