“I have heard that Clan Star has a reputation of having the highest standards for readers in all Oricalis.”
“Indeed.”
“To that end, I have someone I want to introduce you to.”
“A professor of wielding wants to share areaderwith me?” He raises his brows.
“Part of being a good professor is knowing where your students’ strengths lie.” I slide a bit closer, leaning in. Kaelis is in my peripherynow, and his eyes continually dart my way. I work to ignore him. I whisper as if I’m sharing an important secret, “She’s being overlooked by every clan here despite being an obvious catch.”
“If she’s so obvious, why is she overlooked?” His caution persists.
I sigh and intentionally soften my gaze, staring out over the crowd. “No one is giving her the proper chance. But I thought that, perhaps, you might give her an opportunity to impress you, considering her talents and your expertise in them as a member of Clan Star.”
He considers this.
“Compared to the rest of her class, she’s a diamond among coal, I assure you.” I lay it on thick. “All I ask is that you give her one opportunity to read for you. See how her interpretations and intuition are unmatched. If you’re unimpressed, then you’ve only lost some of your time. But if you are impressed, you have the potential to secure a triumph for your clan. Luck is on your side, my lord.”
He takes a long sip of his wine, staring at nothing as he stews on this. I know I’ve hooked him. A commoner who married into nobility. He has a lot to prove to his clan, even still. “What’s her name?”
“Luren.”
“Luren…” He repeats the name, and I brace myself, expecting what’s to come. “She’s the one who had a card reverse last year, isn’t she?”
“She did. But as her professor of wielding, I feel more than qualified to assure you she’s made strides past that folly. I’m confident she poses no risk of it happening again.” Even if Luren’s strength is in reading, no clan wants an Arcanist who can do only one thing. Arcanists are rare enough that they need to be at least competent in all areas.
“She’s also the one who failed to get any coins on All Coins Day.” A frown briefly crosses his lips, and his gaze softens. “The one who received pity from the traitor.”
The word “traitor” lacks venom. He says it out of obligation. The hatred is forced. If nothing else, he sounds…wounded. As if I had betrayed him personally.
Perhaps there is still fondness there for me after all this time.
My heart twists, and I take a breath, putting an end to the ache. I cannot hesitate. Liam and I are long over. I do not want him even if I could have him—that’s been well decided.
But, to scheme and use him like this?Can I really do this to him?
I continue, not a trace of doubt in my voice. “You get my point. None of the other clans are putting any value in her. Yet she is one of the best here. Ability forgives all other stains on reputation. Skill forgives all sins.”
“Why are you advocating for her so fiercely?”
I open my mouth and shut it. I knew he’d ask some variant of this question. It was an easy enough assumption. But every practiced script fails me as my eyes search the crowd and find her, off in the corner with Sorza. Trying her best to present confidence while being utterly ignored by everyone here. The only one looking her way on occasion is Dristin, but he’s surrounded by other nobles of Clan Chariot like an impenetrable wall—one that keeps him in as much as it keeps her out. It’s somewhere she can’t break into even if she tried, and…she’d tried.
“Perhaps it’s because I know how it feels to be on the outside,” I whisper. “To be looking in, wanting to be a part of something. To idolize something that isn’t nearly as wonderful as what you think…But even if it’s not wonderful, it’d still be somewhere to belong. People who looked after and loved you. A home.” I’m no longer talking about her, but my younger self. Staring longingly at the academy. Shunning Oricalis and the systems that threatened and restrained me, and yet, desperately, a part of me wanting to join because no matter how much I loathed it all, it would mean that I had somewhere to belong. Finding the Starcrossed Club and finding that home at long last…
Liam studies me, his expression unreadable. But finally, he nods. I wonder if he was thinking of his own humble upbringing. Of the nobles his family once served that he’s now counted among.
“Very well. I’ll see if she’s as talented as you say. If she is, then you’re right, I secure an overlooked talent for my clan. If not then I only wasted a little bit of my time.”
“Follow me, then,” I say, my tone conveying that he’s not going to regret this decision.
I guide him and motion for Luren as we cross the room. I escort him out and to the office we just left. Luren does an exceptional job of acting surprised by this turn of events as they position themselves on opposite sides of the desk. I hover by the door, giving Luren a nod as she collects her deck.
“You’re willing to let me read for you, then?” Luren’s tone is like her demeanor, poised and professional.
“Yes. Surprise me with the spread.” He gestures to the desk.
Luren shuffles her deck with practiced ease. It really is astounding to watch her settle into her element. Any trace of doubt or hesitation vanishes completely. “We’ll start with something simple.” She draws the first card and lays it on the table between them. “Your present: Ace of Wands.” A tiny smirk. “You’re standing at the threshold of a new opportunity—a new venture.”
“One you’re hoping is you,” he says with a chuckle.
