As we soar upward, I’m fully aware of the dark shadow that follows me, another eagle and its rider keeping their distance behind me.
Rohan will have been waiting for me to emerge. He’ll report back to Mother oneverything he sees.
Thyra’s absence right now will certainly be noteworthy.
But I need to be able to speak freely with Victor, unworried that he might guard his words if Thyra’s present.
Within minutes, we cross the Constellation and reach the platform above the forge, leaving Rohan to circle the air when I leap from Azul’s back and disappear through the door that nobody but me is permitted to enter.
The forge is silent. The metalworkers have finished for the day, closing up the forge before sunset. Time enough to get back to their families. I’m not so cruel that I would keep them from their loved ones in those hushed moments when we face the possibility that the darkness could swallow us.
Swiftly, I reach Victor’s quarters and push open the door, only to pull up sharply.
Victor sits at the workbench on the far side, his injured side turned into the shadows, focused on the other person in the room.
“Hadrian.” My voice is sharper than I intended, but my youngest brother never comes to the forge, and his presence now could mean trouble. “What are you doing here?”
Hadrian sweeps toward me, appearing unperturbed by my sharp tone. He’s dressed far more simply than he often is, wearing long pants and a tunic instead of his usual royal cloak and silken trappings. The beige color of his clothing brings out the darkness of his brown eyes. He inherited none of the Vividari starlight power and, in its absence, he also inherited our father’s brown eyes.
“Looking for you.” He offers me a white envelope, embossed with silver filigree along with the Vividari’s insignia. “This is for you.”
Because he stands shorter than I do, he must tip his head back slightly to see me. With my helmet on, he can glean myemotions purely from my eyes, which, right now, are as cold as ice.
I glare at the envelope without taking it. “What is that?”
“An invitation.”
“To what?”
Hadrian is the picture of patience in the face of my questions. It’s a testament to his ability to survive in Galla’s presence that he is rarely ruffled, but his reply sets me on edge.
“A grand celebration hosted by our mother,” he replies. “In honor of the Oracle.”
I finally take the envelope from him, but I may as well have accepted a poisoned dagger. Any ‘celebration’ hosted by our mother is certain to become a bloodbath of her making.
Hadrian gives my stony silence the respect it deserves, saying, “You’re right to treat this event with extreme suspicion. Thyra won’t be safe. Mother is plotting and scheming with every breath she takes. I wish I had been there to see for myself Thyra’s interaction with her, but I heard she rattled Mother like nobody ever has.”
I force my anger to retreat. Hadrian isn’t my enemy. It’s just as I said to Thyra: My youngest brother isn’t a willing sycophant. He stays close to Galla for his own survival. In his position as the youngest child, it’s the smart thing to do.
Slipping open the envelope, I consider the details of the invitation, fighting the tension claiming my muscles.
“This is tomorrow night.”
“She knows she’s on borrowed time. If Thyra breaks the curse, Mother’s power evaporates.”
It’s unusual for Hadrian to speak plainly, but I suppose, for years, I’ve only interacted with him in Galla’s presence, where he must guard his tongue.
It’s the other detail on the invitation that really concerns me, even if I fight not to show it. Hadrian may chooseto speak freely, but he will no doubt be required to repeat everything I say.
For that reason, I allow my arm to drop to my side, keeping my tone uncaring. “The location is unsurprising.”
Victor has remained quiet, but now he asks Hadrian the question I can’t—not without admitting concern. “What can you tell us about Mother’s plans?”
“Not much.” He grimaces. “I’ve been tasked with delivering invitations to the most powerful highborn families, but other than that, she’s keeping everything close to her chest. Only Lady Delphina is in her confidence. But I think we all know Mother will use this event to strike hard.”
With that, he steps back from me. “I’m sorry I can’t tell you more. I also can’t stay. The longer I’m absent, the greater her paranoia that I plot against her.”
With a heavy exhale, he gives Victor a brief nod. “It was good to see you again, brother. It’s been too long.” Then, to me. “With your permission, Antony, I’d like to visit Victor from time to time. This separation from my siblings is Mother’s doing, not mine.”
