“Savoring the box?” His winter-blue eyes glimmered with roguish charm. “That’s older than I am, you know. I found it in a wardrobe. I’m reusing it.”
“It’s lovely.”
“And we’ll both be old and gray before you actually open it,” he grumbled.
Rain took pity on the impatientprince and lifted the lid. Amid more red velvet lay a delicate starflower carved from white marble. Her breath caught. It was Braylian’s mark.
“When I made it, I carved a small loop into the back so that you can slide a hairpin through it. See.” Daric pulled a hairpin from his pocket, picked up the starflower, and slipped the pin through the loop. Clearly, he’d planned ahead.
Rain watched hisdeft fingers as much as the sparkling gift, too overwhelmed to speak. Early morning sunlight poured through the window—long deprived of curtains now—and glinted off the crystalline stone, making it glitter like snow on a winter morning.
Daric gathered a portion of her hair and attached the gift above her ear. “Like a snowflake on ice,” he said, smiling as he adjusted a few sleep-tumbled locksand smoothed them down.
Rain shivered, not used to anyone else’s hands in her hair, and least of all Daric’s. She pressed her lips together, trapping her tears in her throat.
“Don’t you like it?” Daric asked, a worried crease forming between his brows.
Like it? She loved it. She loved him. It was torture.
“It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever had,” Rain finally answered in a voice that thickenedwith every word. “Thank you.”
Daric seemed pleased with her response, but then his expression turned troubled once more. “Wear it now, while you can, because you’ll have to hide it after we all move to Nighthall.”
“Why?” Rain asked, the thought of their family being uprooted two moons from now to live among vipers making her stomach cramp.
“Because Astraea will take it. She’s always been madlyjealous of you.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Rain touched the starflower, wanting to look at it again but not wanting to undo Daric’s careful handiwork. “She’s a princess. Rich, powerful, and if one can ignore her inner ugliness, quite attractive.”
Daric made a face as he hopped off the bed and moved toward the door. “I can’t ignore it. I have names for Astraea but saying them out loud would tarnishyour image of my princely manners forever.”
Rain’s lips twitched. “I’m certain my imagination can supply them without your help.”
Daric’s eyes sparked with genuine humor, despite the terrible union he faced for the benefit of his people. “I’m leaving so you can get dressed and come face the frigid breakfast room with me.”
Rain got goose bumps just thinking about it. Even firewood was scarcethese days, and they mainly kept it for the evenings, for a small moment of comfort and peace. This winter had been darker and colder than most, and while it was officially spring now, Rain doubted the new season would bring much improvement. Gradual warming, yes, but no rain, of course. Thankfully, snowmelt would at least help fill the natural water basins for the coming weeks.
Daric turnedback to her from the doorway. “As for Astraea being jealous, you’re of the House of Ash, and she knows she’ll never have what you have.”
“What’s that?” Rain asked, her heart jerking uncomfortably.
“A family that loves you.” Daric left and shut the door behind him.
Rain didn’t try to stop the wetness flooding her eyes. She would cry rivers if only her tears would make the crops grow again inLeathen.
