“I shall fake an emergency,” Edith announced. “I will send him a false report that you were terribly injured—or no, died. Then we’ll see how he reacts.”
“No,” I shouted, hand reaching toward her. “Don’t do that.”
Her head tilted to the side. “Why not? It seems like a good idea.”
“I love it!” Urgg pounded the table. “We’ll make him work for your love. Make him prove it with his grief of thinking you died!”
“I never said I was in love with him.”
“I don’t know,” Seth jumped in, ignoring my comment. “It seems kind of mean.”
“Yes,” I said. “Very mean and very unnecessary.”
Edith frowned. “I believe it would be the most efficient way to know how he feels about you.”
“I agree. Do it, Edith,” Urgg said, pounding the table again, making the plate and Seth jump.
“No,” I snapped. I flicked Urgg with my tail. “Just because Talvax enjoys feats of valor and death, doesn’t mean I do.”
Urgg shuffled. “Drakcol are so boring, except for Talvax.”
“We’re just different.” I crossed my arms.
“You lack passion.”
“You lack manners.”
Blustering, they said, “That’s not true.”
“All these crumbs are yours,” I snapped, pointing to the table.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“That you have no manners.”
“You have no spine.”
I growled. “I will not tell Monqilcolnen I am dead just to prove he cares for me. It’s cruel.”
“Then are you going to tell him another way?” Urgg demanded. “Or do you lack even a modicum of bravery?”
“I am brave.”
“Then are you going to tell him?”
“Of course I am,” I yelled, then paused.
Urgg grinned, showing off their tusks. They held out a hand to Seth. “Is this an appropriate time for the high-five thing you were telling me about?”
“Damn straight it is.” Seth slammed his hand to Urgg’s, and I stared at them.
What had just happened?
It was late, but sleep wouldn’t find me. I’d seen basically nothing of Wyn this last month, except in the blaster classes. I had to ignore him there, lest I cross the line of what was considered appropriate. It was starting to grate on my soul. I craved him. Every cell in my very body needed him beside me, and yet I had to pretend he wasn’t the reason I drew breath. My inner fire had continued its litany of “not yet,” and I was tired of it. I needed “not yet” to be now. My emotions and feelings were starting to grow out of control.
A ping sounded, then my father’s face appeared in front of me, and I couldn't contain my smile. I loved my father dearly. We were exceedingly close. He was the emperor’s eldest brotherand nearly fifteen cycles his senior. Their middle sister had passed over a decade ago, leaving just the two of them alone. The Crystal had chosen Kontolmakqilnen, not my father, as heir, and my father hadn’t minded in the slightest. His inner fire was similar to mine, only he truly saw the future in visions. He’d always known he would never rule, much as he always knew whenever I was awake.
“Father,” I greeted him.
