He smiles softly. Not that over-wide, overused smile. A small, genuine one that warms his gaze and my heart. “I didn’t know there was a star called Remira.”
“There isn’t.” My tone is lighter now, and I catch myself smiling back. Because when Kaidren Vale is a real person, he is devastatingly handsome. Because I remember Aja telling me the origins of my name as though it was yesterday. “She didn’t know anything about the names of stars, but when she was lonely, she’d make them up. She named the brightest star in the sky Remira. When I was born, she gave me its name.”
Aja told me it was so I’d never be lonely. As always, she was lying. In truth, it was soshenever would be. So she could look up at the sky and always have me with her.
“That’s sweet,” Kaidren says.
That was Aja. Sweet to a fault. Generous and trusting toher own detriment. She gave too much of herself. She lost her parents when she was young, and loneliness was a void she was constantly trying to fill. All she ever did was give more and more of herself away. It cost her everything. Costbothof us everything.
My smile fades.
Kaidren is still watching me. “Where did you go just now?”
I shake off the memories. “Nowhere. But I am now. Leaving, that is.” I turn for the door—planning to kick the damn thing down if it means getting out of here.
“Wait.” Kaidren hurries to stand beside me. “How would you feel about having dinner with me and my aunt?”
I’m surprised by the invitation and even more surprised by how naturally he extends it. “You still eat here?”
“Virdei is lonely. I like it here. And my aunt is good company.”
“You could just invite her to Virdei.”
“She hates it there.”
His aunt has excellent taste.
“Care to join us?” he says.
“No.”
Kaidren’s sweet smile turns oily, and his warm tone chills with civility. “You know, I’ve been really kind about the fact that you snuck in here up until now. I’m an Honorate. I imagine the decurio would beveryinterested to learn someone broke into my home.”
My eyes narrow. “Is that a threat?”
“No.” His smile stretches wide. “It’s an observation accompanying an invitation you can’t decline.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
VIEW FROM BELOW
Of course, I resolutely refuse to join Kaidren and his aunt for dinner. And of course, he resolutely refuses to let me anywhere near the window to escape.
In the end, I agree, if only so I don’t end up spending the night stuck in a stalemate in Kaidren’s childhood bedroom.
His aunt Julissa is all smiles when we finally leave his room. If she finds my presence here strange, she doesn’t let on as she leads me to a round table where dinner is being served.
She’s beautiful. Kaidren is good-looking, so it’s not a surprise, but I don’t see a family resemblance between them. She has the kind of beauty that comes from effortless grace and wisdom. Her hair is short, dark, and thick, with some coils of gray mixed in. Her round face has a few shallow creases, her skin is the hue of pine bark, and she has the longest eyelashes I’ve ever seen. Like Kaidren, her teeth are perfect. Unlike Kaidren, she doesn’t show each of them off as she smiles at me. “Hello, Kaidren’s friend.”
I almost laugh, but she doesn’t appear to be joking. She must know Kaidren and I aren’t anything close to friends, but it feels rude to say that when she’s being kind. “Hello. Apologies for breaking into your home.”
She chuckles. It’s a smoky, comforting sound. “If I had anything worth stealing, I might be upset.”
Her house is small, as expected, but she’s draped scraps of fabric over walls and surfaces to add warmth, creating a mishmash of colors and patterns. Chaotic, but inviting.
The main room is the kitchen, dining room, and living space. There’s a patchy sofa, scuffed wooden table, and a side table I’m pretty sure is just a trash bin turned over and covered with a thin sheet. Resting on the side table is a compass that, unfortunately, I recognize. It’s silver and rusted and nothing special—except for a shimmer at the end of the needle. It’s one of those “magic hunting” compasses. Total junk—not to mention illegal.
I look away from the compass and force my face to remain impassive as Julissa pulls out a chair at the table for me. “We’re having potatoes tonight.” She twists her fingers fretfully. “We don’t have any meat. I’m sure it’s not what you’re used to.”
