‘Once, perhaps. There’s not much cause to celebrate the seasons when you’re living in a sewer, Sparkles.’
Attendants arrive bearing platters of starfruit at the perfect moment. A palate-cleanser: the first of nine courses. Nine courses to match the nine points of the family sigil. Stars only know where they foraged supplies for such a feast. I only hope the lavish preparations tonight mean rumours of blight are being greatly exaggerated.
The attendants serve me after my father, placing two glistening half-moon slices on the silver charger before me.
‘Nice to see her High and Mighty getting special treatment again.’ Maris speaks in a whisper pitched loud enough for everyone to hear, and laced with venom. She clucks her tongue. It’s a weapon sharp as any blade.
Blayze snorts and rubs the golden torc circling his neck.
He and Maris are quite the toxic double act. I’m growing used to the constant needling, but their taunts still smart.
‘I can’t eat any more of this slop. I need real food,’ Blayze grumbles as his portion is plated.
Astrophel shoots him a scornful look. ‘It provides all necessary nutrients. You’ve been told this.’
‘To survive, maybe. But it tastes flaming awful. About as satisfying as gruel. But maybe some of us are harder to satisfy, eh?’
Astrophel sighs. ‘You remember why you have to eat it, don’t you? Or must I explain again? Perhaps words likeacclimateandaltitudewere too confusing for someone of your… intellectual limitations?’
‘Watch yourself, Peacock.’
‘You get used to it,’ Tansy says quickly. ‘It doesn’t taste nearly so unpleasant now. Like sugared water – only with a slightly bitter aftertaste.’ Maybe it’s her motherly instincts, but Tansy is assuming a peacekeeping role more and more with every passing moonsrising.
‘Your kind are used to eating like rabbits,’ Blayze mutters, collapsing back into his chair. He jerks his chin in my direction. ‘Have one of your thralls fetch me some meat instead.’
Astrophel narrows his eyes. ‘Is that any way to address a Crown Princess?’
Maris sniggers. ‘Careful, Blayze, you’ve really done it now. You’ve got Peacock all upset.’ Delphine flashes her a cautioning look, glares daggers at Blayze.
‘It’s all right, Astrophel.’ I struggle to keep my voice light. While I might appreciate him defending me on this occasion, I don’t want him getting too used to speaking for me. And I need to prevent another argument boiling over. I won’t give Blayze any excuse to walk away from the Quaternity at the last hour.
I stare into his sullen eyes. ‘I’m sure no offence was intended. Was it?’
Blayze glowers, then grudgingly spears a piece of opaline starfruit onto his fork. ‘No.’ He feigns a gag as he swallows.
Astrophel wrinkles his nose. ‘Is that necessary?’
‘Yes. This stuff’s disgusting.’
‘Don’t eat it, then! Let’s see how you fare when we travel north. After all, you’ve adapted so well to conditions in Meissa, haven’t you?’
Blayze’s jaw tightens, muscles straining in his thick neck. Looking down, I can see his hands balling into fists beneath the table. He clearly doesn’t appreciate the reminder of how poorly he has adjusted to the Estelian climate, of the debilitating headaches and nausea that plagued him the first few moonsquarters, even with the double portions of starfruit to help him acclimate. Only Delphine struggled more.
I change the subject. ‘I trust you’re ready for tomorrow?’
‘More or less.’ He takes a large swig of shimmerwine and wipes his mouth on his sleeve. ‘You?
‘Yes – though I’m nervous.’
Stars! What in the heavens compelled me to admit that?
Blayze’s eyes seek mine. He raises a scarred eyebrow. ‘Understandable from a woman. Especially one as coddled as you.’
His contempt irks like a thorn underfoot. ‘I’m not afraid of the journey,’ I snap. ‘It’s just hard, thinking of those I’ll leave behind.’ My gaze drifts to my mother’s waxen face.
When Blayze next speaks, his voice is a throaty whisper. ‘I never knew my mother. She died birthing me and my brother. It’s been twenty-two scorchings since she passed…’
His eyes are soft for once, devoid of any confrontational glint, and I feel a rush of unexpected sympathy towards him. I didn’t realise he was an orphan, or Kyden his twin, though it explains their striking resemblance. I’m also surprised he’s only three sunrings my senior.
