Cullen leaned in as they all began to stand, moving to accept drinks from waiting staff. “Well? Did you enjoy it?”
“I did,” she said honestly. “It’s incredible to think that we’re all so very different and yet somehow share the same world.”
“If I’ve learned anything from the past few years, it’s that we’re not as far apart as we might think.” Cullen flashed her a dazzling smile, one that made Eira’s breath hitch and her knees weak. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. You needed to get out of your room.”
“Yes, well, thank you.” Awkwardness consumed her and Eira averted her gaze to smooth her hands over her skirt, trying to work out the wrinkles from sitting for a two-hour dinner. He’d been right, as had Alyss. She’d needed to do something other than occupy herself with thoughts of Ferro. Eira owed her friend another apology. Or at least an attempt at an explanation of the roiling emotions that relentlessly crashed on the beaches of her mind. Eira looked back up at Cullen, remembering their conversation earlier. “You said you knew…”
Pain flashed across his eyes. “Not here,” he whispered. “I’ll tell you, but not here.”
That only made Eira more curious. But she couldn’t press because, yet again, they were interrupted by Yemir. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Of course not.” Eira forced a smile as Cullen echoed a similar sentiment.
“Good. Cullen, I want to introduce you to Alvstar’s daughter, Lavette. They’re just over there. She’s another competitor and I think you two will get along famously.”
“Certainly.” Cullen’s face became expressionless. It was the void mask Eira had first known him to wear as the “Prince of the Tower.” Long before she’d ever managed a glimpse of the real Cullen underneath. “I’ll catch up with you soon, Eira.”
“Enjoy yourself.” Eira smiled and wasted no time breaking for the veranda’s railing. She rested her elbows on it and looked out over the city, catching her breath. Here was where she’d always dreamed of being. Yet she still felt like she didn’t quite…fit. Her heart ached as she stared toward the line where sky met earth, wondering if the place she was truly meant to be was just over the ridges of the rolling hills that surrounded Risen. Wondering if home was out there…just a little farther past the horizon.
“Sunsets are better enjoyed with a drink in hand.”
Jolted from her thoughts, Eira straightened quickly, blinking at the morphi who’d materialized at her side. Arwin held out a flute with an amber, bubbling liquid. Eira accepted it with mumbled thanks.
Arwin pinned her with a hard stare. “You’re not who you’re pretending to be.”
10
“Pardon?” Eira glanced over at the woman, trying not to let panic seep into her expression. Had she somehow outed herself through the course of dinner as working for the Court of Shadows?
“You’re not made for all this politicking and drinking and arse kissing.” Arwin had long, blonde hair pulled back into a tight bun, not unlike what Eira had seen Deneya wearing. Tiny curls escaped around her ears.
Eira concealed a sigh of relief with a sip from her flute. The tangy flavors of apple and ginger were effervescent on her tongue. “Well, the drinking isn’t bad.”
“I suppose it’s not. The elfin could always manage a decent concoction.” Arwin glanced behind her, prompting Eira to do the same. Everyone had begun to cluster in small groups and they were left mostly alone. “Ducot has mentioned you.”
“Oh?” Eira kept staring forward so her expression didn’t betray anything.
“Only in passing.” Arwin wore a sly smile. “Just that you weren’t what he’d been expecting of someone from Solaris.”
“He mentioned that to me as well.”
“I’m glad to hear that your people have been kind to him. I was worried. He’s a good man who’s lived a hard life.”
“Oh?” Something clicked in Eira’s mind. “Were you the princess he saved from the bear?”
Arwin let out a soft sigh, prompting Eira’s attention to shift solely back on her. She stared out at the city skyline with a distant and somewhat sad expression. “He’s still using that story,hmm?”
“Apparently.” Eira took another sip of her drink. Now that she thought about it, she should have known it was a lie. “What really happened?”
“That’s not my place to say.” Arwin shook her head and banished the darkness collecting in her steely eyes. The furrow between the glowing dots on her brow relaxed. “Don’t mention to him or anyone else I indicated otherwise.”
“My lips are sealed.”
“Good.” Arwin’s gaze drifted over Eira’s shoulder and promptly returned. “Look after him, all right? I shouldn’t ask this of his competition, but I worry for him. Given how the city is, I’m afraid of what prompted him to agree to come to Risen.”
“What do you think prompted him to agree?”
“He’s out for blood,” Arwin murmured so faintly that Eira was left to wonder if she realized she had spoken the thought aloud.
