“You’ll come? Say it out loud, please.”
“I’ll be there.”
The smile that lights up Wren’s face is so bright I can’t help my own.
“I hope you smile sometime when you’re not all covered up.” He motions to the beard net. “Okay, I’ll leave you to your baked goods. But, Talon?”
“Yeah.”
“Next time you see me on the street, I’d rather you say hi than run away.” He turns without waiting for a response and I just watch him walk away.
11
WREN
It’s brighter in my room than it should be, and when I open my eyes, the source of the light is my wings. My wings!
Excitement flutters through my body, making me actually vibrate. I’ve been waiting for this my entire life, and it’s finally here. I scramble out of bed to go find mother.
She’s in her sitting room, sipping something from one of her crystal goblets, and her eyes go wide. While I grin, she sighs.
“My poor, beautiful boy. I’m so sorry.”
I stop spinning and give her a questioning look. Why doesn’t she seem happy for me? “What’s wrong? My wings are finally glowing.”
“My poor boy. It’s too early. You’re too young.”
“What do you mean, I’m too young? This is what we’ve been waiting for.”
“No. This is what the king has been waiting for, but you’re too young. I won’t allow it.”
“How can you not allow it? I’m already glowing.” I twirl again and try to watch my wings at the same time. My magic lights me up and it’s mesmerizing.
“You’re too young. You can’t go through the full courtesan training just yet.”
“But I am ready. The glow says I am.”
“No. I won’t allow it. I’ll bind your glow until you’re ready. Until you’re old enough to understand. I won’t let you go through what I did. I was too young, but there was no one to protect me. I’ll protect you the best I can, my darling.”
“No!” I ball my fists and keep from stomping my feet, but just barely. “I’m glowing. That’s what a courtesan has to do so they can finish their training.”
“Wren, you’re entirely too young.”
“I’m twelve!” This time I do stomp my foot.
“I’m sorry, my beautiful boy. You’re not going through the full training yet. You’re not ready.” She shakes her head. “I’m not ready.”
“Maybe you’re not, but I am.” I puff out my chest, trying to appear older.
Mother just gives me a soft smile. “You don’t know what you’re saying. I lived through this. My wings glowed at twelve as well. I didn’t know what I was being thrown into. Please believe me. You’re not ready.” She moves to run her hand through my hair, but I step back.
“Well, I’m ready.”
“Yes. And you’re a boy. When you’re truly ready, the training will be easier on you than it was me, but I don’t wish it upon anyone so young. It’s grueling and cruel. You don’t deserve such cruelty in your life. Let me protect you.”
“I don’t need protection.”
“My sweetling.” She smiles and pulls me into a hug. I sink into her embrace. She smells like jasmine and honey and vanilla and it’s so nice. She always smells like comfort and home. She pulls back and smoothes my long white hair from my face. “I wish you never decided to go through with the courtesan training. I wish I had the pull to get you out, but His Majesty refuses.”
