Edan softened. “It doesn’t matter. They’re to be married for the peace of A’landi.”
“That’s sad.”
“It’s the way of kings and queens,” he said distantly. “Doesn’t matter where you are. It’s all the same.”
I wondered then how many kings he had served. Whether his boyish grin and lanky figure were part of another enchantment…were part of his oath.
“And what about you?” I asked, feeling bold. “Willyouever marry?”
A rare blush colored Edan’s neck. “I hope to.”
“You hope?” I teased. “You’re courting me—you can’t renege now!”
“Marriage isn’t advised while bound to the oath,” he replied slowly. “You would age while I stayed young.”
“I don’t care about that.”
“You say that now, but your opinion might change.” A note of urgency strained Edan’s voice. “And if my amulet were ever lost, I’d become a hawk again. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”
“Letmedecide what’s fair and what isn’t.”
He turned and held my hands, rubbing the calluses along my fingers. “It’s just…I don’t want you to have regrets, Maia. You’re young, with dreams and a family to care for. And now that you’re the imperial tailor—I don’t want you to throw it all away on a foolish boy like me.”
“I wouldn’t stop sewing for you, Edan,” I said lightly. “I’d open a shop in the capital—one by the ocean, preferably. I’d draw by the water and sew all day.” I wiggled into the hollow of his shoulder and rested my head there. “And you’re not foolish—not for chasing magic. I can see in your eyes how much you love it. Enough to pay such a terrible price.” I paused to chew on my lower lip. “Would you lose it, if you were freed?”
“Enchanters are born with magic,” he answered, “but yes, I would lose my sensitivity to it, and my ability to channel its power. Something I would welcome if it meant being with you.”
I swallowed, feeling an ache rise in my chest—but one that wasn’t entirely unpleasant. “What would you be, if you were free?”
The deepness in his voice faded, and he sounded like the boy he was. “If I were free? Perhaps I’d be a musician and play my flute, or work with horses in a rich man’s stable.”
“You do love your horses.”
He winked at me. “Or I’d be an old, fat sage with a long beard. Would you still love me then?”
“I can’t imagine you with a beard,” I said, touching his smooth chin. My fingers slid down to his neck, stopping just before his heart. A throb in my chest again. “But yes. Always.”
“Good.” He grinned, the dimple on the left corner of his mouth making an appearance. “I’ll be in charge of tutoring the children. I hope you know I expect many. At least eight.”
I slapped his shoulder playfully. “Eight!”
“I had six brothers, after all. I’m used to a big family.” He sat up to kiss me, and despite the tiredness on his face, his eyes shone with a contentment I’d never seen before.
“We couldn’t afford eight children in the capital.”
“Then I’ll grow a money tree when we’re back in the palace.”
I couldn’t tell if he was joking. “A money tree?”
“How else do you think freed enchanters become wealthy?” Edan snorted. “I have the seeds tucked away in a secret hatch in my room. We can use it to buy a nice mansion for us and your father and brother, with a hundred servants.” He looked worried. “Do you think your baba will like me?”
“My baba cares nothing about wealth,” I said, laughing. Happiness bubbled in me as I thought of Edan trying to impress Baba and befriend Keton. “He’ll only want you to be good to me.”
“I will be,” Edan promised. “Better than good.” He reached into his pocket and took out a small leather book with a blue cover and a thin golden cord and tassel for tying it together. Its edges were slightly bent from having been in his pocket. “For you.”
“A new sketchbook?”
“I picked it up in Samaran,” he said sheepishly. “You looked like you were almost done with yours.”
