Aero stepped through, eyes glancing to the desk before landing on him. The door shut with a quiet click. “You’re avoiding me.”
Ronan exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck as he crossed the room, the fire licking across his bare spine.
“Not avoiding.” He sank against a chair, letting his body reside into it. “Just trying not to erupt in the infamy.”
Aero nodded once in understanding, moving to the chair opposite him. “I’m not trying to make you feel guilty,” he said. “I just…” A breath left him, worn at the edges. “I see what you mean to this kingdom. Even if you don’t.”
Ronan’s eyes slid past him, past the veil, beyond the storm hovering dark over the sea. His eyes went from the green of its depths to lost, hopeless.
Aero clicked his tongue, abrupt, decisive, springing to his feet. “I know what will help.”
Glass clinked against glass as he returned with a bottle, pouring until the air burned with spice and fire.
Ronan downed his in one swallow, heat slicking down his throat, sparking in his chest. A fleeting peace.
Aero chuckled, raising his own. “I was going to say, let’s toast.” Ronan lifted his empty glass in unison. “To the sea.” Aero winked. “For keeping our secrets. And to the mountain, for keeping our throne.”
Ronan leaned forward, fingers curling tight around the crystal as his voice rasped low. “To the fire that scars us, and the smoke that hides it well.”
Their glasses met with a sharp ring.
Aero took a cautious sip, as if truth itself might be steeped in the liquor.
Ronan, already three glasses deep, downed another before it had even finished spilling into his cup.
“Perhaps,” Aero muttered, setting his down hard enough to rattle the table. “Tonight is not the best night for this.” He stood, wiping his palms against his thighs.
Ronan waved him off with a lazy flick of his wrist. “Sit.” Another swallow burned its way down as he moved toward the desk. “There is something I wanted to talk with you about.”
He set his glass atop the maps, the rim leaving a wet ring over forgotten borders. His hand hovered, then closed around the one thing he had no business touching.
The letter.
The envelope hit the table beside Aero with a slap.
He tilted in, squinting, then cursed softly at the golden emblem sealed into the flap. “The king of Luamis?” His head lifted to Ronan, who only nodded. “Why didn’t you open it?”
No suspicion in his tone, just the kind of sincerity Ronan hated most. “It’s not addressed to me.”
Aero scoffed, dragging in a breath. “Oh, please. As if that’s ever stopped you.” He held the letter out, extending it like an offering. His mouth curved, halfway between challenge and command. “Open it.”
Ronan didn’t hesitate. He tore the seal straight through the lion’s face, dragging the parchment free.
His eyes swept the lines, his jaw locking tighter with each word. “It’s a wedding invitation. For you and me to attend the royal ball and wedding ceremony of Prince Perseus and Princess Elvira.”
The letter slipped from his hand as he shoved it toward Aero without looking.
Aero read quickly, lips thinning. “The ball is to be held in only a few days’ time. I—”
“Oh, you’re going,” Ronan moved close enough to the fire so the flames could absolve any sins he had left. “Heir or not,youare the voice of Ryuu. Besides, it was addressed to you.” He tipped his glass, a smirk pulling his mouth. “Sorry if you wanted to bring a more charming plus-one.”
A wink. Then another swallow.
Aero blew out a long breath and moved, joining him by the banked flame.
Ronan could feel his eyes on him, the pull of a conversation he’d tried to drown in drink. The letter hadn’t been distraction enough. The vein at his temple flared, more than heat shimmering on his skin now. Flames hissed, spitting sparks where smoke clotted at his feet.
Not only smoke.
