“A bit late. But I got it.”
“Good.” I nod and look down at the firelight awkwardly. I suddenly can’t seem to think.
Kalyan squats next to me. “You’ve already taken some?”
“Couldn’t wait all night,” I tease.
“I won’t be late again.” His tone is dead serious, the chilling opposite of mine.
With those words, my hammering heart wobbles and I…smile.Blood. What’s wrong with me?If he is teasing me again, I can’t show it gets to me, that I enjoy it. That I really do believe he will be here next time.
Ah, what am I doing?He. Is. Jatin’s. Guard. And I’m a future maharani. My heart, doing whatever the blood it’s doing, doesn’t change that.
I fumble for a topic change. “The palace must be hectic without Maharaja Naupure around. And before you ask how I know he’s gone, Maharaja Naupure messaged Belwar Palace asking for support if something should happen in his absence. Also to say the firelight delivery is still on…so that’s how I know.”
He shakes his head. “I never think you’re a potential threat to the Naupuresuntilyou start rambling.”
“I’m just pointing out how I know things.”
He chuckles, but quickly follows it with a sigh. “The answer is yes. The palace is hectic.”
I wish I had the chance to prove myself for a few weeks. Would I get a letter any day now with Jatin bragging? I’ve been dreading it, seething with jealousy. Or maybe our letters are over since he is only a mountain range away? I don’t know. “Raja Jatin handling it well?”
“Don’t think he has had to handle anything too complicated yet. I would say I do all the heavy lifting.” Kalyan heaves a wicker crate off another one and rips it open with one clean swipe of green magic.
“Was that supposed to impress me?”
“What are you talking about?” he asks with a smile.
Gods, he is so easy to read. I know exactly what kind of reaction he wants. I continue to stuff the firelight in my bag, not giving it to him. “Nothing.”
“I’ll let you admit you find me impressive when you are ready.” The comment slinks out in a sarcastic whisper, but I hear it nonetheless.
I look up, but Kalyan is packing firelight as if he didn’t sayanything.
“Don’t do it,” I say suddenly.
“What?”
“Don’t let Jatin’s arrogance rub off on you.”
“Oh Gods, you really do hate him.” Kalyan shakes his head. “There’s a lot of work to be done.” He gestures to the firelight, implying we should focus on our task. And yet, there is something in his tone, something I have yet to uncover.
We work under the veil of black magic as the orange sky deepens to navy. An hour later, four bags are packed and teeming with orbs. Kalyan is about to lift the strap of one over his shoulder when I hear something, footsteps-atop-the-pier kind of something. The black magic drapes around us, but not on top. If the owners of those footsteps peered between the planks of wood they would see us.
Without a second thought I push Kalyan against a pillar and jab a finger upward in warning. His furrowed eyebrows arch into understanding and he places the bag of firelight in the sand softly.
After our last visit it’s clear that Pier Sixteen doesn’t exist to the good citizens of Belwar, so some random wizard or witch isn’t going to be strolling overhead. This has to be Vencrin.
“Are you verifying it as well? The Red Bitch has a partner,” a deep voice says.
Kalyan and I lock eyes.Definitely Vencrin.
“A white forte wizard. Tore up and burned the ship with her.”
Deep Voice sighs. “Had to see it myself. Nasty piece of work she’s done here. She’s becoming more confident, more of a problem. We can’t let that happen.”
“What do you suggest?” the other man asks, his voice laced with uncertainty.
