Durae folded his arms over his chest and glowered at his teacup and did his best to ignore the burning in his eyes. Father followed after Mama while Papa took her seat. He gestured for the remaining servants to leave the room, and they did without a word. When Papa said nothing, Durae choked out, “I’m not wrong to be upset.”
“Durae—”
“I’m not!” Durae lifted his chin. “All my life, she has declared I am a catastrophe in the making. I was conceived and born under the wrong stars.”
“When you were born?—”
“A star struck the mountain, the most ominous of omens,” Durae said. “Iknow.”
Papa sighed and pushed aside Durae’s teacup. “May I finish a sentence?”
Durae closed his mouth and held his arms tightly.
“Some call it bad luck, but that isn’t all that it could mean. I believe the gods gave us a different sign,” Papa said patiently. “As much charting destiny as your mother attempts to do, she has been afraid to say what else your stars may mean because she doesn’t want to speak it into being. She’s terrified. Your father is worried. I still think everything will work out fine.”
“What else could ‘catastrophe’ mean?” Durae asked.
“I am sworn not to tell you.”
“Papa—”
“Let me finish. We want, more than anything, for you to make a good match, and we worry over Uleyri and her prospects. I know you see her as tougher than you, but she has the same sweet heart that you do. There are those in this world who would take advantage of you, of your wealth, of your noble lineage. Noone expects you to make a match on your first day, and we will not force one, especially not during your first market. I know we have a spot reserved for the final day, but better to give it away to a friend at the end than miss the opportunity.” Papa put his hand on Durae’s and squeezed. “As grown as you believe yourself to be, there is so much to the world you can’t possibly know. But you can’t learn it in the tower; thus, we came here.”
“You could have sent me to university,” Durae complained.
“You never expressed interest in going.”
“I did to Silsby! He said I chase too many clouds to be a scholar.”
Papa narrowed his eyes. “We shall have to see how long he remains employed, then.”
“He’s not entirely wrong,” Durae muttered. “I’ve caused more accidents in the workshop than anyone else.”
“And in seeking what caused your mistakes, we’ve discovered flaws in our gondolas that could have been disastrous. You’ve saved lives.” Papa squeezed his hand again. “You are not our catastrophe-in-waiting. You’re our comet.”
“Because I set things on fire?”
“Because you are a rare wonder crossing through our lives.” Papa gently tapped his knuckles under Durae’s chin. “So keep your spirits up. We’re not decorating you to be a tiara to be taken. We want you to shine so others can see how special you are.”
“Why doesn’t Mama ever talk like this?” Durae grumbled.
“Perhaps you should listen and be honest with her, and you will hear more pleasant words from her,” Papa replied with a raised eyebrow. “Just this morning alone, I have heard you lie to her, cut her off,andattempt to scandalize her with your escapades.”
Durae wished he’d put on the illusion ring already. His cheeks were heating up. “I should apologize.”
“You should.”
Durae rose from his seat, slid the ring on, and paused. “I am sorry if missing the meeting with your friends hurt you.”
“I only wish you had told me you were out exploring last night. The market season doesn’t rid the continent of criminals. If something terrible had happened, we wouldn’t have known where to look.”
“I didn’t think of that.”
“Another mark that you’re still young.” Papa stood and gently hugged Durae. “Now, if you’re done sulking, get your sister so we can join the rest of our family. We wouldn’t want to be late for the opening ceremony.”
“Yes, Papa.” As Durae crossed over to Uleyri’s door, he resolved that hewoulddo his best to find someone worthy.
If only Blaze were someone his parents would approve of, his hunt would be close to a finish.Maybe they would like him. Maybe there will be someone else at market just as captivating. I doubt it, but I will try. For them. For the family. For me.
