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The light played in my gilded cup, reminding me that while we wore almost the same clothes, the smallest things were different in Dimitri’s world. The fine metal had a dent, as if dropped more than once. Even in Midtown, it could have been the pride of a family, taken out only for special occasions. For him, it was something to throw into a hastily packed bag. Would I ever be able to see only the beauty in things and not what I could sell it for? See its use, like him?
Our conversation mixed with kisses, and as if by silent agreement, we kept to light topics. I told tales from the Rivertown lorists and night market. Dimitri told me how Alexei had hated flying and regaled me with outlandish stories of their childhood antics. In a more serious tone, he talked of how isolating it had been to grow up as the crown prince and his fond memories of the Tower. He layon his back, me on his shoulder, as we watched each other and the clouds high above.
Playing with my hair, he told me how a country noble had become the best friend of the crown prince. “At eight, Alexei was sent to Tal to treat a childhood illness and gain connections. He’d grown up with servants’ sons and daughters, joined the farmers during harvest—ran as wild as you.” Dimitri smiled down at me, caught in the memories of his friend.
“Then he joined your lessons?”
The prince chuckled. “Not on purpose, but he was brilliant and had not been brought up with our strict etiquette, so he just started listening in. We were taught in the Tower’s garden, but no one else dared approach. Our teachers ignored him, but he kept making these quiet jokes and bringing stolen treats. He was my first friend.”
And when he saw me for who I was, he didn’t judge.Alexei had asked me to protect Dimitri. I was not sure I had been doing a very good job.
“I wish I’d known him better,” I said, and meant every word.
“You would have been great friends, Tempest.” Dimitri sighed, letting go of some of the grief. “He got me into mischief I wouldn’t have even thought of on my own—without his influence I might never have stepped out of line. Eki joined us a year later. Riska was the last, a few years younger but always wanting to tag along.” He chuckled, chest moving against me. “If caught we blamed her. She was so cute, no one was angry for long.”
“I’m sure the three of you were proper terrors.” I hesitated, the tales of my sister threatening to spill out. But I hadpromised. I knew she would hate the crown prince knowing her secrets and childhood embarrassments.Kindness, our mother had said,even if others do not show the same. Justbecause Lumi had not listened did not mean I should ignore Mother’s words.
Soon, Dimitri would know. Seeing my twin might be a shock, but I would be there to explain. It would be fine.
“Do you still see her—Eki?” I asked instead, knowing that perhaps this as well was out of bounds. “She was the one you followed when you left me at the welcome banquet, right?”
“I’m sorry.” Dimitri kissed my temple. “I needed to talk to her—the last time we saw each other was over our child’s pyre the day after our failed wedding. I wrote so many letters, but none were delivered.”
“Do you still…”
“Love her?” He shook his head. “Like a sister perhaps. One I’m very angry with. Riska told me Eki has barely been seen outside the Tower since it happened… I didn’t understand what it must have done to her. It was bad enough for me, but to have a child forced from your body. How she screamed…” He swallowed and looked away. “She’s the one who pushed you from the balcony. I should have told you earlier, but it’s all my fault. I cannot have her arrested. Cannot take anything more away.”
“She pushed me?” I did not even remember seeing her there. “Why?”
“Something inside her must have broken. The girl I knew would never have hurt anyone to get a crown. She wanted to marry to protect our child, not for power. I think we both regretted what had happened between us by then.”
He squeezed my hand as if to reassure me. How could I explain I did not need to be coddled?
The attempt on my life, or possibly on Helia von Heskin’s life, should perhaps have upset me more, but so much had happened in too short a time. Next to Ealhswip’s threats and discovering I was a cursed mage, the fall had slipped my mind. The words I heard under the Tower, confused by the magic I’d used, replayed in the back of my mind. Eki had been there, complaining I was to marry the prince. By then, she had known I was not a princess. Ealhswip had told her not to interfere… Could she have seen killing me as a way to save Dimitri, or was she as twisted as she seemed?
He kissed my cheeks, and I pushed the thoughts away. Ealhswip would not get to ruin this moment of peace.
We wet our feet in the stream, he and Cherny let me practice getting in and out of the saddle, and we talked and kissed and talked more until the sun touched the horizon. It set slowly in summer, there was no hurry, but something shifted between us. A tension tearing at the perfect afternoon. The distance we’d kissed away returning.
“Griffons don’t fly in the dark, right?” I asked. It was time to get ready for Lumi. “You said you’ll consider the meeting tonight.”
Dimitri backed away.
“I’ll go.” His closed-off face killed my elation. Something was wrong.
He snapped on his armor with practiced speed while I searched for my own. Dressed, he removed another bag from Cherny, offering it to me without meeting my eyes.
“There’s a tent in there and more food,” he said, his voice hollow.
I did not reach for it. “Why would I need food? A tent?”
He stayed at Cherny’s side and placed it in thegrass.
“I’m going alone. You said they want to meet me. The danger… the rebels have been killing people.” His voice steadied, eyes begging me to understand but offering no apology. “I’m not losing anyone else I love. Not through rash decisions. Curse me if you want, throw me into the Taliell tomorrow. Ask anything from me besides bringing you into danger yet again.”
He leaped onto Cherny’s back, somehow signaling it was time to fly.
He was leaving me. Going to see Lumi. A rebel and prince meeting without anyone to mediate.
