Briar turned the smooth wooden ring over in her palm, still warm from Sian's touch. "How do I not aim?"
"Trust your instincts instead of your eyes. But honestly, you're hopeless at this."
Briar laughed at the cheerful insult. Tomorrow felt far away, and she let herself sink into the illusion that this could last.
The moon traced its path overhead, dipping low as the festival continued around them. Briar found herself drawn to a corner where someone had set up what looked like floating lanterns—but these were made of something gossamer and alive, pulsing with gentle bioluminescence. A fae woman was showing children how to whisper wishes into them before releasing them to drift upward, joining dozens of others that bobbed and swayed above the festival like earthbound stars.
"Go on," the woman said, noticing Briar's fascination. She pressed one of the delicate structures into Briar's hands. It felt like holding captured moonlight, cool and trembling against her palms.
Briar leaned close, her heart fluttering anxiously. What should she wish for? What could she dare dream? “Let them be happy,” she murmured at last. “Let Allegra grow up strong and healthy and for mom find peace.”
The lantern shivered, its glow brightening from blue to gold, and when she opened her hands it rose slowly, wobbling slightly before finding its place among the others. She watched it climb, throat tight, and continued to watch long after it had floated out of sight. Eventually she sought out a bench near one of the bonfires.
"Tired already?" Arion appeared with two cups of hot cocoa, offering her one as he sat beside her.
"A bit," she admitted, taking the warm cup gratefully. "But it's a good kind of tired."
Warmth spread through her as she sipped, not just from the cocoa but from this moment. Sitting beside someone who expected nothing from her, watching joy that didn't come at anyone's expense, wearing a dress she'd chosen herself.
The mark pulsed gently on her arm. Not a warning this time, just a presence. Like it was waiting.
"One more dance?" Arion asked as the musicians began something slower. "Dawn's not far off."
She knew she should say no, should go to her room and prepare for what morning would bring.
Instead, she set down her cup and took his hand.
This dance was different from the earlier ones. The other couples gave them space, creating a pocket of privacy in the midst of celebration. His hand was steady at her waist, hers rested on his shoulder, and they moved together with an ease that felt practiced despite being new.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "For not being able to help you more."
"Don't apologize for what you can't control. Whatever happens, I… I made a choice to save Allegra and I won’t ever regret that."
"I'll keep looking," he said, his voice fierce with quiet determination. "I'll keep searching for answers."
Her heart twisted in her chest, heavy with guilt about the leaf. He’d done so much to help her that not telling him felt wrong, dishonest somehow. But her fear for his safety, for the safety of those in his care weighed far heavier. And beneath it all was that warm pulse that now seemed to reach for him.
"Arion..."
"I know." His hand tightened slightly on hers. "I know you have to go back. I know the law binds us all. But that doesn't mean I will stop caring about what happens to you."
The words hung between them, too heavy for what they were supposed to be to each other: mere strangers brought together by circumstance, nothing more.
The song swirled around them as the celebration continued, but they'd gone still in the center of it all.
"I wish..." he started.
"Don't." She pressed her fingers to his lips before she could think better of it. "Wishes are dangerous things in your world."
He caught her hand, holding it against his mouth. His eyes never left hers as he pressed a deliberate kiss to her palm. The warmth in her chest flared brighter, reaching.
"Then I won't wish," he said, the soft brush of his lips against her skin sending an unexpected flutter through her chest. "I'll just..."
Arion released her fingers, reaching out to cradle her face between his hands with infinite gentleness, thumbs brushing her cheekbones. Time seemed to slow, giving her endless moments to pull away, to be sensible, to remember all the reasons this was a terrible idea.
But tomorrow would hurt regardless. Tonight, she wanted something that was hers to choose.
She rose up on her toes and met him halfway.
