His training is enough.
At least, I hope it is.
Buttery orange light spills out from Soltide Keep as I draw closer. Above, the stars sparkle like white shells in the sky. Guards wave and holler in greeting as I ride Felix into the stable, sliding off him as he bends to drink some well-deserved water.
“Daytonales.” The deep voice shocks me to my core as my brother says my full name. I turn to look at him.
“Waiting for me, Decimus?”
My brother steps out of the darkness, moonlight illuminating his face. Compared to Damocles, Decimus is usually more lighthearted, easier to make laugh. But today, he looks like he’s channeling our eldest brother. His mouth is a stern line, his dark brown eyes narrowed.
“Training with Justus again?” Decimus asks.
He’s acting like the Imperator he is. Even off-duty, it seeps into his tone, his mannerisms. Everything he does is to protect the Summer Realm.
“Of course.” I run my hand through my hair, full of dirt. Damn, I need to go to the baths. “The games begin tomorrow.”
“Why do you think I’m concerned? These are not like other games, little brother.”
“I know what type of games they are.” I slap a hand on his shoulder and strut out of the stable. “I have borne witness to your and Damocles’s competitions.”
“Bearing witness is not the same as being in the arena under these stakes.” My brother follows me.
“No,” I say. An excited thrill runs through my body. “The roar of the crowd is never as loud as during the Solstice Games. I long for it.”
Decimus sighs. “That’s what I’m afraid of. How do you expect to win when you cannot even beat Damocles or me in a spar?”
“Fear not, Dec. I shall give the citizens of Summer a show they have not seen in an age.”
“That’salsowhat I’m afraid of.” He gives me a serious look. “You missed another important arrival.”
“Hmm?” I reach up to snag a low-hanging peach from a tree. “I’m sure none of those royal snobs noticed I was missing.”
“It was the Royal Family of Autumn.”
I still, the peach hovering before my lips. Alright, so maybeoneperson would notice.
“Ahh,” I say and bite into the peach. “Where did you room them?”
“They’re staying in the east villa.”
I stare him down, swallowing the last of my peach, feeling the sticky sweetness drip down my chin.
“He’s in the upper room. Coral suite.”
Ice shivers through my veins, and for a moment, I think I’m back in Kel’s damn lake. “Why would I care?”
Decimus’s stern look cracks, and a smile flicks up his face. “I know you better than you think, Day.”
“Does Damocles know?” We’d been so careful last year. At least, I thought we had. Though, Decimus has legions of loyal soldiers at his command. He knows everything about everyone.
“No, the High Prince has more pressing duties to worry about.”
“Perfect.” I force a grin, toss the peach pit into the garden, and walk away.
Decimus grabs my arm. “The Autumn Prince is not someone to engage in flighty dalliances with. Farron is next in line to be the High Prince of Autumn. Damocles and Niamh would be pleased if you were to officially court him. The match would be a favorable one.”
I shake out of my brother’s grip and scrunch up my face. “An official courting?” I manage a laugh. “It’s just a bit of fun while he’s here.”
