“The Mori kingdom has planets full of canyons and valleys, but also dry deserts and little to no vegetation, with dried seas and veryfew freshwater resources. Some of their planets, like Ia and Ulen, have vegetation and water, but it’s not enough to sustain the whole kingdom. So they trade with us. Feandra has spices we use in our cooking. Chyr has dyes from underground cave systems that we use for our clothing. See, every planet has something to offer another. We just have to know what it is and what they’re willing to trade for.”
We spend the rest of our study time going through Tate’s kingdom of Thirik and categorizing its six planets. Ciara uses my notes to do the same with ours. By the time we’re done, I feel more confident they will pass this class.
Before History, I run upstairs to trade out my books. Once again, I find Anders in my personal space after closing my door. Couldn’t he at least stand across the hall, along the banister?
“Princess,” he grunts, clearly annoyed with me, even though I haven’t assigned him this ridiculous role. I ignore him, reaching to push him away, but make the mistake of laying my palms on his stomach. Gods, I can feel the mass of rippled muscles beneath my hands. I yank them away quickly and march toward the steps. He doesn’t have History with me, so I’m not sure why he bothers following. Right now, he has senior intelligence, which is the opposite direction.
“You know Intel is that way?” I remind him, throwing a thumb over my shoulder without looking back.
“Well, I was going to tell you about a veil report I just received, but since you’re intent on ignoring me…” I swivel so fast my head spins. I look up expectantly. His lips quirk before he pulls out his Prism. “Its thinnest spot is along Ateria with a small hole near Kadora. The weather in both places has been extreme.” I nibble on my lip, thinking of all the implications. Should they be evacuating?
“And our kingdoms?” He hands me his device.
“All good,” he says as I read through the report. I feel a little guilty for the sigh of relief that escapes me. “Are we doing anything to help them?”
Anders takes his Prism back, tucking it into his pocket as he nods for us to keep moving. We take the stairs together as he tells me Kadora is taking precautions with the villages near the lava fields,moving them into the colonies for now. Ateria is working with my kingdom to order more wood to stockpile as they wait and weather the unprecedented cold.
I say a quick thanks for the update as I make my way into class. He lingers a moment before heading to his own, the crowd parting for him as he goes.
History is essentially a recap of everything I have already learned. Professor Darci discusses the battle between the first great houses, which fought for planets and established the first trade agreements, all of which have been archived.
I zone out and use my time instead to map out the royal households for my Bonding ceremony. Our first Bonding Class is next week, and we’ll need to know who in the royal households are of age. Plus, I like being prepared.
There are only three other princes my age, including Anders and Cole, and Prince Felix from the Oris kingdom. Even though he’s technically five years older, he’s still unBonded. They’ll be the first to receive invites, though Bonding with another royal would probably create chaos—at least if I were to Bond with a crown-prince. If it was a second heir, I doubt anyone would bat an eye.
My hope, this is all for nothing. If I could somehow will my choice into existence, it would be Kellan.
I step into the study room the four of us use for our Government Class. While everyone else takes the standard Government I and II, Anders, Cole, Aolyn, and I have the not-so-luxurious task of taking a specialized class for ruling monarchs. Cole and Aolyn are second in line to the throne but need the same education as we do.
Professor Sukín arrives, a short, pale-skinned woman with jet-black hair and wide, dark eyes. She’s worked with us individually since we were in Primms, overseeing our schedules, adjusting classes, andsupplementing where needed. This is the first time I’m required to take an actual class.
I slide into a chair at the round table across from Cole and try to ignore Anders, though I can’t help my eyes navigating to him of their own accord. Cole lifts a single brow at me when I don’t answer Anders’ question about my interview with Kelci for the school newspaper.
Last week, Kelci, the editor-in-chief of the school news distribution, asked if I’d be willing to discuss an article she wanted to write. She omitted the part about Anders and me being featured in the same article. In said article, she may have overexaggerated that Anders and I will be the two most powerful rulers in a hundred years. Funny, as I have no intention of taking the crown from my parents anytime soon. Tradition dictates that the crown passes on the ruling monarch’s sixty-fifth birthday or if they become ill and unfit to rule. My father is completely healthy and has another ten years until then.
Aolyn nudges me, and I roll my eyes, sighing dramatically before turning to face Anders.
“Yes?” I ask in a saccharine-sweet voice, batting my lashes. Cole covers a laugh with a cough while Anders mutters something under his breath about me being a pain in his ass.
“I asked if you knew about the article?” He feigns indifference, though I can tell I’ve gotten under his skin again. It’s becoming my favorite pastime despite our occasional moments of harmony. He sits back, stretching his legs out and crossing his arms over his chest, putting his whole body on display.
Aolyn kicks me under the table, knocking some sense into me. I slam my drooling mouth closed and clear my throat, hoping he didn’t just catch me openly admiring him.
“I did not. It would seem Kelci kept that little fact to herself. No matter. What’s done is done. She didn’t say anything in there that could harm our parents or tarnish our reputations.” I shrug and make a show of inspecting my nails, which definitely need some filing.
His fist slams onto the table, making the whole thing rattle. “She made my kingdom seem weak without my father.”
I shrug again, but I can understand his irritation. Since King Aki went missing, there have been claims that Queen Priana’s health is declining. Whether or not it’s true, I have no idea. I’ve seen her in photos attending trade meetings and the yearly summit where all seven kingdoms gather to discuss their grievances.
“She didn’t say anything that hasn’t already been brought into question by other media sources. Nobody believes it anyway. Your mother is ruling just fine, and there’s been no move to dethrone her. Besides, after you’re Bonded, you’ll be crowned king, and this will all be moot come next year.” I swear the room drops about ten degrees, making my hair stand on end. He doesn’t even have to tell me how he feels; it’s written all over his face.
Professor Sukín finally arrives and glances between the four of us, dismissing the looks of boredom, irritation, amusement, and provocation on our faces. She sets a strange iron tube on the table before us. The iron has a weird set of markings etched into it. Anders shifts uncomfortably, and when I look up at him, I swear his eyes are pure silver. He shakes his head with a deep breath, and his eyes are back to normal.Is he okay? Was that just the light?I glance at Cole, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
“Alright, today we have the opportunity to read one of the few ancient scrolls preserved from Einvald that was found in a library on Orcleus. Cole, would you please read aloud about the transitions of the last empire to the seven kingdoms?” She lifts the iron tube and pulls a scroll unrolling from it, the parchment marked with old ink and age.
Cole sighs as she sets it in front of him. While I lean closer to get a better look, Anders seems frozen in place, his gaze burning a hole into the scroll. I frown, catching the intensity of his stare, something more than just academic interest.
“It is with great sadness that Empress Anele has passed, her body now encased in the imperial tomb on the palace grounds. Since her death two months ago, Prince Aric has fallen ill. He’s not expected to survive the week.” Cole clears his throat before continuing. “Date 8,991 AC. It is with astonishment that our beloved Prince has joinedhis mother in the imperial tombs. With no heirs, Emperor Aren has declared the Astral Council will rule as one.
