“The Saj of the Maraciana have long been neutral in conflict,” she continued. “Why choose loyalty now?”
Natali, to their credit, did not seem affronted by Josie accosting them like this. They merely observed her in that stoic way of theirs, their hands clasping behind their back, as if readying for a lecture.
“I have spent my life reading history books and studying affinities,” they began carefully. “One might even say that I am an expert in the ramifications of power—both that which is innate and that which is taken.” Their lips quirked, but the ghost of their smile did not linger. “The Saj of the Maraciana may not tie themselves to countries or kings and queens, but that does not make us impartial to the happenings of ourrealm. We have always abided by the laws we set for ourselves; we have always respected the lines we have drawn.”
“Lines like refusing to study the Decachiré?” Josie asked, thinking of the Vaguer and how they’d been excommunicated from the Maraciana. Natali nodded.
“It is not loyalty I am choosing, Josie. It is the future of Eteryium. I do not wish to see the end of our realm. And I believe that you, and your brother, and your friends, can help stop that from happening.” They cocked their head, their silver hair swinging with the movement. “I suppose it’s much like the gambling your brother loves so much.”
Josie couldn’t help the laugh that rasped from her. She loved the pragmatic way Natali approached life, even in the face of such uncertainty.
“Well…thank you. For betting on us.”
Natali hummed, their hand brushing against Josie’s arm as they stepped past her. “Do try to help me not regret it,” they requested as they gave her bicep a gentle squeeze. “It perhaps will come as no surprise to you, but the Saj loathe being wrong.”
***
There was something settling about knowing that no matter how tomorrow went, Josie would no longer be hidden away in the cliffs. She was grateful, of course, to Natali for finding her this sanctuary. But she was ready to be free of the Maraciana, come what may.
She was ready to stop hiding.
“Natali will have your head if they find you out here,” Aleissande said over the waves. Josie hadn’t heard the general step onto the terrace. She smiled, her arms folding over the balustrade as she gazed out in the pitch black of night. She could hear the water crashing below, but without the moon shining in the sky, she couldn’t see the Anath.
“I think I deserve a bit of fresh air before tomorrow,” Josiereplied as Aleissande took up a spot at her side. “Besides, it’s a moonless night. For anyone to make out my features with just the torchlight on this terrace, they’d have to be standing just beside me.”
Aleissande made a contemplative noise that Josie could nearly feel with how close the general was standing to her.
She turned to see Aleissande peering down at her, her eyes raking over her face. “This lighting does suit you,” Aleissande murmured.
Josie felt dizzy with her proximity, but she turned to face her fully, her leg brushing against Aleissande’s as she did.
“Every light suits you,” Josie replied softly.
Aleissande’s eyes fluttered shut, a pained expression flitting across her face. “You cannot say such things to me,” she whispered.
“Why not?”
“Because,” Aleissande argued, her gaze pleading as she opened her eyes once more. “I will not be able to focus on the task at hand if I’m thinking of where such words can lead.”
Josie couldn’t help the way a grin tugged on her mouth. Something molten was stirring in her stomach, something that Aleissande had long been able to evoke in her. For once, Josie did not shy away from it.
Slowly, she placed a hand on Aleissande’s hip, her fingers digging in justso. “I can show you where they lead, if you’d like,” she offered.
There was a something brewing in Aleissande’s eyes, desire turning them from light blue to storm-cloud gray. Yet her touch was gentle as it cupped Josie’s face, her thumb gliding across the apple of her cheek as she tipped Josie’s head back.
“I’m going to kiss you now,” Aleissande breathed.
“I would be mad if you didn’t.”
“Well we can’t have that, now can we, Princess?”
Josie’s lips parted, a retort ready on her tongue, butAleissande captured her mouth before she could voice it. Her lips were warm and firm, her tongue flicking against Josie’s playfully, and seven hells, Josie had never been more content to not have the last word.
She pushed herself up on her toes, her arms winding around Aleissande’s neck as she dragged her closer, her lips parting fully as Aleissande teased her tongue.
Josie had always thought of the general as cold. Unmoving.A pillar of golden stone, she’d once described her.
And perhaps that’s what she was when she was wearing the title of general. ButthisAleissande was a raging inferno, one whose flames Josie would gladly submit herself to.
