He did his best not to stomp away like an elfling, but his jaw hurt from how hard he clenched it.
The others were leaving the house as he strode by on his way toward the tiny dock in the back. Since he’d come back from the opening-day celebrations, they had given him a wide berth, both during their normal hours at the shop and when he turned his attention to his ship. Even Kidd had given him distance. But his weren’t the only footsteps on the dock. Blaze refused to turn around and climbed aboard his craft. He went down into the small cabin.
At least Kidd stayed off his ship. Blaze would have pushed him into the Glaesflod if he’d dared to board. Kidd called out, “I thought you were coming to the Emberleigh dance.”
“Changed my mind,” Blaze shouted back. He stowed one of the containers of paint and grabbed his enchanter’s belt. His usual notch was too loose, but there was one tighter. When he made his way back to the deck, he was surprised that Kidd was still standing on the dock. “What?”
“You said you made a promise.”
“Turns out I made it to a liar, so it doesn’t count,” Blaze replied.
“Your mood’s fouler than moths in a wardrobe,” Kidd snapped.
Blaze put his hands on the railing. Keeping his hands busy seemed to be the only way to keep himself from making fists. He longed to break something, and he was afraid that if he left hishands unoccupied, it’d be something he couldn’t repair, like his ship or his friend’s nose. “Navisora, Kidd. He’s aNavisora. And notjusta Navisora, theheir!”
“Might be a good reason to lie about one’s name, then. He wanted you to like him for who he is.”
“And he might have wanted to tumble with someone who he couldn’t spend more than a handful of nights with just because he could!” Blaze shut his mouth, but the words were out, screamed for any in the area to hear. The pain in his chest burned in his eyes. He was being ridiculous. One night with someone who had been seeking a brothel. One dance with someone who had been at the center of attention. It couldn’t mean so much, and yet … he wished the stars would disappear behind clouds because looking at them made him think of the gems that twinkled in Durae’s hair in the sunlight.These feelings will pass. They’ll have to.
I wish they’d hurry on their fucking way already!
“Oh,” Kidd said softly. Remorse swept over his features. “Blaze, I?—”
Pity would only make the pain tangible, and Blaze had no space for more emotion. He needed to complete his airship. He interrupted Kidd. “Make sure Greyun doesn’t drink too much, or we won’t see any more work at the stall.”
“Good suggestion,” Kidd replied. “You should eat something. Enchanting on an empty stomach is a good way to set your boat on fire.”
Blaze nodded, though all he planned on having for dinner was more of his travel rations. With only a few silvers and a handful of coppers left, he would need to be careful with his remaining funds. They’d probably serve food at the dance, but Durae would be at it. Better to risk a hungry belly than to run into him. Better to manage his expectations than hope for a future that could never be.
CHAPTER 10
“Prince Aldian must be here somewhere,” Mama muttered under her breath.
Durae swirled what was likely to be the first of many glasses of wine in his hand and wished he had a fan or a convenient pillar to hide behind. Unfortunately, the Ceremonial Pavilion had been built with the intent to see and be seen by others. The best stealth Durae could manage was surreptitiously standing behind the huddle of his parents. It meant he was completely visible from all other angles, though, and his skin prickled. Suitors were like the dread hawks that circled the mountain peaks back home. They could swoop and snatch their unsuspecting prey in their talons, and the poor creature was left to squirm until it got eaten.
Durae was the poor creature. He was regretting leaving the tower.
Or he would, if he hadn’t met Blaze.
Would Blaze come to the dance? Durae was holding on to a very thin hope that he would. They’d made an agreement, but Blaze had rightfully left the party after discovering Durae’s duplicity. A thousand versions of an apology had played out in Durae’s mind, but he hadn’t had a chance to utter a singleone. Though he’d tried to find his way to Blaze’s ship the night before, he’d gotten completely lost and had to return to the inn, where he discovered the door to his bedroom open and all three parents waiting in the suite’s common room for him.
Father had not been pleased that he’d snuck out again. Papa had sighed heavily. Mama had threatened to stick a tracking charm on him that he wouldn’t be able to take off.
Swirls of flower petals floated through the air, sometimes dancing around an elf before continuing on their way. Where Dun Steorra looked to celestial bodies for the workings of the world, Emberleigh elves found their magic in the elements. Wind and water, fire and earth were the cornerstones of their power. The dance was a celebration of their culture with a wide variety of nature’s wonders on display.
“Prince Aldian hasn’t been anywhere he’s supposed to be,” Father said to Mama. “Attempting to chase him down will only make us look as foolish as the other parents hoping he takes note of their children. Uleyri has plenty of eager suitors willing to court her, and Durae has … a devoted few.”
Devoted few? Durae frowned. The last two days had been nothing but elves coming up to him, calling him lovely, and attempting to pull him into the most banal small-talk conversations he’d ever been part of. When he’d tried to talk about cosmomancy with one, she’d sighed dramatically and demanded they talk of more pleasant things. As if, somehow, talking about how the world worked was a terrible inconvenience.
Uleyri gently clasped his wrist. They were dressed similarly, the difference between them being that he wore breeches and she had long skirts. They’d contemplated swapping clothes, but the breeches were too fitted to fit her. She leaned in and murmured, “Incoming.”
Before Durae could ask whether she meant for him or for her, he saw Lady Narice Greenjaw was making a beeline for him. Vespan, her boorish great-grandson, was right behind her. As usual, Vespan looked like he’d rather be anywhere else on the planet.
“The grand Navisoras!” Lady Narice said by way of hello. “You are all looking wonderful tonight.”
“Thank you, Lady Narice,” Mama said.
“I thought Vespan and Durae might like to take a walk through the gardens,” Lady Narice declared.
