A rush of pride keeps her warm while she walks forward through the snow and trees, admiring the beauty of this realm for the first time. The stars glisten so purely. The moon is a smile. The branches bend to greet her. She wonders if this is how Dorian feels here, if he’s managed to feel at home in the dark.
When she comes to a fork in the path, she stops.
“Dorian,” she calls out.
Her voice echoes three times, and the world is silent again. The wind stops, the branches freeze, the snow pauses midair. Above her, the sky contracts. Stills. Then, it ruptures. Dorian falls like a star, landing right in front of her.
“Look who’s back,” he says with a grin.
“Finally. This is my fourth try.”
“Are you here to hide? Did something happen?”
“No, nothing like that,” she assures. “I’m all right. More thanall right. I’ve been studying celestial magic with Lamour. I’ve even crafted my first celestial spell for the grimoire.”
His smile is so wide it’s nearly crazed. “Brilliant. You’ll set me free in no time.”
She nods. “Have you had any luck finding Odette’s killer?”
“None yet, but I am searching every night.” He tilts his head. “Is that what you came to ask?”
“No, I came here for something else. I need help preparing for my first debate.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “I’m paired against the nastiest scholar imaginable. He’s rude, arrogant, and what’s worse, he’s never lost in his life. I want to change that. I want to destroy him. Humiliate him.”
“I see. And you want my help.”
“There must be something more you could teach me. An advantage of some kind.”
He tilts his head and smirks. “Is that fair to your opponent?”
“More than fair,” she defends. “It’s just. He’s a whole semester ahead of me. An advantage from you would merely even the playing field.”
“What would you have me do, Starling?”
“Whatcouldyou do?”
The wind howls while he paces. “I could find him in his sleep and scare him into resignation. I could disturb his nights so that he is weak and restless before he challenges you.”
She smiles just thinking about it, but that’s not the kind of help she’s after. “As tempting as that sounds… no. I want to beat him at his best. I only want to be better. Can you help me with that?”
“My gifts are not so honorable.”
She sighs. “I’m not sure I’m honorable, either, after everything I’ve done. My opponent might be a snarky bastard, but he’s a saint compared to me.”
Idly, Dorian reaches for her hair and twirls a curl around his claw. “I believe the key to winning a debate has nothing to do with the argument and everything to do with the arguer. If allyou see are his strengths, you will be too afraid to fight. You need to humanize him. See his weaknesses. His flaws. His fears.”
She huffs. “He has none.”
“Everyone has fear, Starling. Everyone.”
“Even you?”
“Of course I do.” His hand drifts down her arm, tangling in her fingers. “My fear is bone-deep.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“I can show you. And in turn, I can show you how to find what your opponent fears the most.”
Her heart thrums. “Teach me. Please.”
