“My, my, your guest must have many hidden talents. Where, by chance, did you find her?”
Caspian smiled. “We’ve known each other for a long time.”
“Did you serve in the war as well?” Priscilla asked.
Keira swallowed a drink of her wine. “No, we met before all that.”
“Where have you been hiding your childhood friend Caspian?” Victor asked lightheartedly. “I’m sure we’ve never seen her at court.”
Caspian laughed nervously as stiffness took hold of him. He recalled those events, how he would have given anything to have her there beside him, how he’d lost hope that it would ever be a reality.
“I’ve been away,” Keira answered for him, “in Stormhaven for some years. But now I’m back, and I couldn’t miss seeing all this. The timing was especially fortunate.”
“It seems so,” Victor said, offering a guarded, courtly smile.
“I would quite enjoy to- to visit Stormhaven,” Priscilla said. “Perhaps you’ll accompany me to next sssummer’s Fire Festival.” She looked up at him with glimmering blue eyes.
Caspian felt the air leave his lungs. How was he supposed to tell her that there was no chance of that happening without crushing her?
“I remember last year’s Fire Festival,” Keira said, drawing the table’s attention. “The whole city was lit up with torches and fire dancers. The firework displays were amazing. Even the bay was filled with boat parties. I don’t think a soul in Stormhaven slept a wink.”
The Fire Festival was one of the most debaucherous feast days on the Fate’s calendar, falling on the Summer Solstice. Though it was observed throughout the kingdom, the largest of the celebrations was held every year in Stormhaven on the Southern Coast. People drank and danced through the shortest night of the year, believing that to stay awake till sunrise would grant good fortune in the year to come. Caspian had not attended the court’s Fire Feasts for the last two years, using the excuse that it was too far to travel, but in reality he had no desire to see what the court was like on a night where convention and propriety were traditionally sworn off.
“Hardly a place for a young lady of your standing,” Victor said pointedly.
Priscilla’s small lips pursed in a subtle pout.
“I hope you will enjoy the Holly Feast just as well,” Caspian offered.
The Holly Festival was held on the Winter Solstice, only days away now. It was Northall’s honor to host the Holly Feast for the court each year. In the past, he’d been an awkward host, and a reluctant one, but Keira’s arrival truly had changed everything. Caspian found himself already imagining sharing it with her.
“I’m sure I will,” Priscilla said. Her pale cheeks flushed pink as she looked at him through fluttering lashes.
Caspian cleared his throat, fixing his gaze purposefully back to his plate.
“So, Keira, what was so captivating about our Southern shore?” Victor asked before taking a thoughtful sip of wine.
“I wanted to travel,” Keira explained. Caspian could hear the uneasiness under her carefully casual tone. “I found work there and ended up staying longer than I planned.”
“What is it you do?” Yvette asked. Her voice was somehow soft and sharp all at once, like a ribbon with a razor’s edge.
Keira gave him a sidelong glance, which he answered with a miniscule nod. There was no need for her to hide here.
Everyone watched silently as Keira turned her attention behind him, to the tapestry. She pursed her lips, letting out a whistle, the pitch like wind through a forest’s canopy. Caspian turned as he detected the first flickers of motion, watching transfixed as the bear began to move. It grew lifelike in quality until it didn’t seem impossible at all that it crawled from the woven surface to stand at his side, letting out a territorial roar.
Caspian was just about to reach for it, to see if he could feel the thick coat of its fur when he stilled at the sound of a shrill cry. Priscilla’s chair toppled to the ground as she retreated, chest heaving.
“It can’t hurt you,” Keira said quickly, dismissing the illusion. The bear’s form dissolved like morning mist.
“It’s magic,” Priscilla said, sounding practically horrified.
Keira looked to him at a loss. Caspian shared in her dismay. Certainly there were many who were wary or even suspicious of magic and those who practiced it, but he had never expected such a violent reaction.
“Please excuse my sister’s outburst,” Victor said, sounding almost bored as he stood.
Caspian cleared his throat. “Perhaps we should all retire early. I know that I am still road weary.” He looked to Keira, who nodded and stood.
“W-wwould you escort me back to my rooms?” Priscilla said, her voice as light as her gentle touch on his arm. “My nerves have- have gotten the better of me.”
