“Beacon Sure-of-Foot,” Father said absently. He was still watching the crowd.
“An athlete of some renown,” Papa added. “Are you all right, Durae?”
“Fine,” Durae murmured. He set himself to rights, casting a quick spell to release the wrinkles in his rosy pink outer robe. His view of Uleyri was now completely obscured by the other dancers.
She was off living her life. He ought to live his.
“Ah, Durae, there is Lord Gustus,” Father announced.
Mama and Papa shared a short, confused glance. Papa said, “The fellow from Manabelt?”
“He’s an inventor and established patron of Gearwickian artificers,” Father replied. “And he has shown interest in Durae, as I said he would.”
“Durae has many prospects,” Papa said.
“We are not going to have an argument in the public,” Mama said quietly. “Best faces, everyone. I see someone from Prince Aldian’s envoy.”
“You can’t say we’re not going to argue and then point out your pick for Durae,” Father hissed.
“Prince Aldian would be a very good match!”
“Which is what every parent here is hoping for! Yet no one has actuallyseenthe prince!” Father returned. “Durae should only entertainpossiblematches. Not idle fantasies determined by the random falling of leaves in a cup!”
Mama puffed up.
Renewing his wish for a fan, Durae scanned the crowd for any familiar face that would give him an excuse to pardon himself from his parents. With so many suitors chasing him, he should be able to find at least one.I’ll even take seeing someone I wish to pursue instead.
Talking amongst a small knot of elves, Kidd was moving with an animation that held his audience in rapt attention. From a distance, Durae didn’t have the faintest clue what he could be saying that was so interesting, but at least Kidd was an escape. And there was a bonus: Kidd ought to know where Blaze was.
Lord Gustus was approaching from the other side, but his gait had slowed. Anyone observing Mama and Father could see a quiet argument bordering on explosive words was happening. When Lord Gustus’s gaze fell on Durae, that hungry look filled his eyes and turned his smile far too sharp. A weirdness roiled in Durae’s stomach.
He was supposed to participate in the events of the market. He should stay and be a dutiful son and heir to the Navisora name.
Even though she was far away, Durae could pick his sister’s laugh out of the crowd. She was finding her own path. He couldn’t fault it for being where her parents hoped it would go.Ducking out of a party to see someone I like doesn’t mean I’m forsaking my noble heritage! I am not a tiara to be possessed!Nobles were supposed to make up their own minds and lead, weren’t they? If he were to be the head of the Navisora family some distant day, he would need to have experience in making decisions, come whatever may afterward.
“Excuse me,” Durae told his parents, “I see someone I need to talk to.”
“‘Need to?’” Mama echoed.
“Go,” Papa said gently and nudged Durae to walk away.
Praying that his small nod was understood as thanks, Durae strode toward Kidd. His long robe fluttered behind him, oddly helping to calm his nerves. He had no royal blood that he knew of, but his attire made him feel regal, and that brought a calmness he desperately clung to.
His confidence wavered when Kidd paused his explanation of the importance of trade routes reaching from coast to coast and his whole group turned toward him. Adventure required bravery, and nobles ought to have a commanding presence. Durae was of the mountains, not flowers. He would not wilt. “Kidd, a pleasure to see you. Could I have a moment of your time, please?”
“Sure, my lord.” Kidd regarded his adoring fans. “I’ll be right back.”
Durae ensured they went just far enough away that they could have some sliver of privacy without straying into the gardens. “Did Blaze come?”
“No, Lord Navisora, he didn’t,” Kidd replied hotly under his breath. “And honestly, he’s been more than a little unbearable because you lied to him.”
“Shit.” Durae put a hand to his forehead. Though he’d known the chances Blaze would come were low, his wish shriveling in his heart was terrible.
He should stay. He had promised Uleyri that she wouldn’t have to face all the social events on her own. Glancing over his shoulder, he caught sight of his sister dancing. She was still with the same couple, still a star of happiness among a rather mundane gathering of nobles.We both need to do things for ourselves.
His life was going to become one of apologies, but he didn’t know how to make anyone happy. Yet. He knew where he wanted to try, though.
“Will you give me directions to his ship?” Durae asked. “I got hopelessly lost last night, and I don’t want to wander around for hours, hoping to stumble on the right tiny dock.”
