I don’t know who I am anymore. But I think something else does.
And it’s waking up.
“I’m so freaking excited,” Ciara shrieks as she throws her arm around me as we make our way to my transport the next day. She, Kellan, and a few other students are taking the palace transport back to Kyrr before dispersing to their planets.
Ciara’s parents have agreed to let her and Tate head to Brov, to the Fountains, where there will be a three-day celebration for the holiday. It’s really one big party with lots of dancing, drinking, and bands from around the system coming to play.
During the day, vendors and shops sell paraphernalia featuring pictures of the gods, often printed or engraved on items. There are even parades and pop-up temples for offerings.
“It’s going to be so dope. Sorry you can’t come,” Tate teases from my other side. I give him a dramatic eye roll because we’ve been over this. I have zero desire to be in that kind of environment—it’s like my own personal brand of torture.
“We’re going to have so much more fun than you,” Kellan claims. I look over at him beyond Ciara and smile. His brown hair flops over his forehead as he offers me a knowing look. He is like me; we would both rather be alone, holed up with books or exploring a forest or swimming, than surrounded by a bunch of strangers.
Our bags are loaded, and the other students coming with us file onto the transport ahead of us. They all offer their thanks as they find their seats in the common space.
“You are going to tell us what happened on your trip, right?” Ciara asks, changing the subject. I’m grateful for the distraction before Kellan starts throwing longing looks my way, and I have to come up with an excuse as to why it’s starting to feel suffocating. I never thought I’d find myself attracted to two very different men.
“We need all the deets…was it steamy?” Tate asks around a mouthful of water just before he chokes, spewing the liquid everywhere. Kellan slaps him on the back while Ciara and I just laugh.
“Serves you right,” I tease.
“Raea,” Anders yells breathlessly from behind me just as we get to the ramp. I look back to find him running across the launch pad from where his transport is. Cole is being helped up the steps by two healers.He looks a lot better, but they said it would be another week before his strength returns.
My friends all pause at the base of the ramp and look at me questioningly. I tell them I’ll meet them up there, and Anders and I wait until they’re inside and out of earshot. I’m still shaken up about what we found.
We ended up sneaking out whatever we could carry. I feel a little guilty about it, but we couldn’t just leave them there. When we got back to the transport, the tower grounded us without providing any information. It was Anders who told me he could feel the veil acting up again.
With nothing to do but wait, we studied more of the books and scrolls, and when my body was flushed with unexplained heat again, he promised to help me search for answers. We were stuck on the launch pad for five hours. It was late by the time we got back to school.
We both agreed that for now, they’ll stay locked up in his room here at school, and when we get back from break, we’re going to spend more time going over them. He was right down in that chamber—the knowledge has changed our lives, and now I can’t look back. It’s like my eyes have been opened, and I’m still not sure how I can pretend. But I have to. We agreed. People would kill for that information, and I’m not sure even a crown could protect us.
“I just wanted to say have a good break,” he says, swiping a hand through his hair nervously, the movement lifting his shirt and baring a sliver of tanned flesh above his waistband. “Kliax should be amazing this time of year. There’s FinSurfing too if you want something else to do. Or there’s an aquarium on the main island. Or the Bubble Village is always fun to walk through.” He’s stalling even though he’s been at my side for the majority of today, finding excuses to see me between classes.
I dip my chin and hide my smile. He’s kinda cute like this.
“Thank you,” I reply. “I hope you have a good break too. I hope you can get out of the palace. The invite still stands if you want to join us in Kliax. Maybe you can show me the Bubble Village.” He smiles,like really smiles with his dimple and everything, and I’m knocked breathless. Gods, he’s got an amazing smile. We hold each other’s gaze for long moments until I remember that I’m holding everyone up.
“Well,” I clear my throat and hold out my hand like an idiot. Am I really going to shake his hand? Anders glances down at it and then snorts.
“A handshake, really?” he drawls. And his cockiness is back. I roll my eyes and pull my hand back with a shrug.
“Guess not. See ya later,” I say, and turn with a smirk. His hand yanks me back until I find myself stumbling into his chest. I’m a little reluctant to admit this is exactly where I want to be. My hands slide up his chest, my right settling over his heart, feeling the erratic beat beneath.
He just tsks and bends down, his mouth hovering over my ear as he whispers, “Feel free to miss me, Princess.” I don’t know what I expected him to say, but that wasn’t it. My whole body shakes with laughter.
I pat him on the chest, not bothering to admit that I will, and turn up the ramp, refusing to look back even though I know he’s watching me. The ramp begins to lift as I reach the top. Once the doors are closed, I fall back against them with a smile, my heart doing some sort of flip routine, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why I’m so high from that interaction.
The pilot announces we are cleared for takeoff, and I feel the engines turn on as I make my way up the stairs to the royal family suite, where my friends are waiting. They already have drinks in hand when I get there, and I drop into one of the sofas as we lift off.
twenty-one
. . .
I walk beside my parents,surrounded by the royal guards, the Regils, on all sides. Their pristine white uniforms, adorned with intricate silver trim and polished silver breastplates, stand out among the shades of deep, rich purples and brilliant golds worn by those gathered here to pay homage.
Ahead, the temple towers majestically over everything on the edge of the capital city, and the sense of reverence and anticipation feels like a buzz against my skin. People from every corner of our kingdom have converged on Kyrr’s capital city to offer prayers and express gratitude for the divine protection that Astor and Calia have bestowed upon us. This gathering marks the commencement of a week-long festival filled with feasting, music, and celebration.
The temple’s ornate stone doors, traditionally sealed to the public for the year, will open to the public today, allowing the faithful to enter the sacred chamber that houses an altar for prayers and offerings.
