“No,” she said, and sniffled. “He left.”
Arawn wouldneverleave her here...especially dressed like this. She’d transformed herself for Kinlear, even though she hated the thought of donning a fancy dress. And though Arawn knew it was the illness, that Kinlear couldn’t have controlled when it would hit...he’d still left her alone on the dance floor.
And looking like a Sacredqueen,no less.
“I could burn him with my magic,” Arawn said, leaning down to whisper in her ear, because the music was so loud, he knew she could barely hear his words. “I could set his favorite cloak on fire, or perhaps?—”
“Arawn.”She laughed, and backed away.
But...she didn’t pull her gaze from him. And perhaps it was themusic, or the glittering dress, or the way his face was still hidden behind his mask, enough that she couldn’t see the reddening of his cheeks. But he reached out...and wiped her tears away with his thumb.
And he swore she leaned into it. Just a bit.
Her skin was soft, and delicate, as if she were a dove...despite the way she’d slayed so many darksoul monsters beside him.
“Don’t waste your tears,” he said. “Not on him.”
“He’s my Matched,” she said. “He’s...”
“He’s not here tonight,” Arawn said suddenly. He swallowed, surprised at his boldness. “But...I am. And as First Rider, it is my duty to protect my Second. So...” he dared to take her hand. To wrap it up inside of his, the way he’d once done in the woods, when she gave up her spot for him. When she made a sacrifice because she knew the pressures of his father, his kingdom, his crown.
“Dance with me, Soraya. And I swear we won’t speak a single word about Kinlear, or the war, or the way you look so...” he sucked in a breath, daring. “...sobeautifulin that dress, because I know you hate it. But you wore it for him, because that’s who you are. You do things that hurt you for the people you love. And I will bedamnedif we let your sacrifice go to waste.”
She nodded.
“Don’t step on my toes,” he said, as ifshewere the one leading. And she laughed, and the sound echoed across the dance floor, and it was so sweet, he laughed, too.
Her tears were gone. A smile took their place, but it turned to a joyous, surprisedyelpwhen Arawn suddenly spun her onto the dance floor. And he led her like a true Crown Prince.
They danced together until the next song. And the next, and the next after that.
They danced, and he held her in his arms, and for one night...for just one night...
He pretended she washis.
And when it was over, when he walked her back to her tower, and bid her a simple, friendly goodnight...
He carried the memory of her with him.
He carried it, even when, just a few days later...Kinlear got into an accident while training a fledgling. His illness took him under. It took him under so fast, and so sudden, that he nearly died this time because of it.
Soraya saw it all...the blood on his lips, the way he’d choked on it.
He’d hidden the worst of it from her for so long, it was only a matter of time before she discovered the real truth. And as the servants carried Kinlear’s lifeless body away, already marking him into a runic stasis...
It wasArawnwho had to tell Soraya the truth of his brother’s illness. That it wasn’t just some silly cough he was born with, one that would fade with time, as the Masters always said.
Kinlear is dying,he had to tell her.
He had to look her in the eyes and break her with the truth.
He’s dying, and there is nothing that any Sacred, nor any pillar of their magic, can do to save him.
11
It was three days after Kinlear’s accident when Soraya first started to change.
They entered the battlefield in silence, none of the usual pre-battle banter shared between the two of them. The rest of their aerie noticed it, but Arawn thought perhaps it was because the night was colder. The snow fell faster than it normally did. The war eagles ruffles their feathers, and shook their heads in protest of it.
