But Kiera hesitated. And looked back at me. I used that moment to run full tilt at her. Her eyes widened. She backed up afew steps and took a running leap off the roof. She landed on the next one and staggered a bit but kept going.
I sprinted faster, relishing the wind in my ears and the flight of my feet. I soared over the gap as my quarries scrambled their way over more roofs.
Ruru pulled ahead of Kiera, nimble as a monkey I’d seen once in Eloren. He reached the inn and began climbing to the top. Kiera kept losing time on each jump she made. I got closer. And closer.
She came to the last jump and leapt. But not far enough. Her hands slammed down on the edge of the roof, and she hung there.
I hurtled over the gap and skidded to a halt on the other side. I knelt and extended my hand to her.
She was panting, her boots searching for a hold on the wall.
“Just take my hand,” I said.
She huffed in frustration, her eyes a blazing gold in the setting sun. “But then you win.”
I flexed my hand. “I already won, Kiera. But I can still save you the fall.”
Her lips clenched tight, stubbornness fighting defeat. But then she locked hands with me, and I hauled her onto the roof.
“I won’t be ready in time,” she said. “What if I can’t protect him?”
“Youwillbe ready, and youwillprotect him.” I gently moved a strand of her hair from her glistening forehead.
Her face softened. “How much sticky bread am I buying? I didn’t know you even liked it.”
I smirked. “I never said I wanted sticky bread as my prize. I’ll buy some for Ruru, since he did beat me.” I waved at Ruru who waved back from his perch. “But you... I want something else from you.”
Her expression turned suspicious.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “There’s only a slight chance of death involved.”
“I tellyou I don’t like heights, and you force me to climb to the top of the Temple?” Kiera’s annoyed voice echoed behind me in the tight stairwell.
I suppressed a chuckle. “Almost there.”
When we stepped out of the stairwell, she gasped, her eyes going wide with wonder. She walked to the stone balustrade as if in a trance to gaze at the gathering night on the far eastern horizon over the sea. Her loosened hair danced in the calm breeze that smelled of the sea—and now her.
It was the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen.
I stepped up next to her. “The Teachers call this the bell tower balcony. It circles the whole dome with four short walkways to each bell tower.” I nodded to the two that flanked us. Statues—one of Mynastra and one of Arduen—adorned the tops.
“How did you find this place?” she whispered, her grip tight on the railing.
“Librius told me about it. He lets me come up here whenever I want.”
“Because he knows who you are?”
“Yes. He knew Nikella. From before.” I glanced over to see Kiera frowning in confusion. A little more of my story wouldn’t hurt. “Nikella is a Teacher who used to train at this Temple.”
Kiera’s eyebrows arched. “I would never have guessed that.”
“She isn’t the friendliest person, but she’s one of the best Teachers in the world. Taught me everything I know.” I took a deep breath and looked back as the starry night sky slowly creptover the fiery day. “She was the one who rescued me and raised me.”
“What happened to your mother?” Kiera asked softly.
“Remember how I told you I was born at sea in a storm?” I pointed toward the deceptively calm waters on the horizon. “My mother died giving birth to me on a boat out there.”
“Oh, Aiden.” Kiera slid her hand next to mine until our skin touched. “May the gods find her soul.”
