CHAPTER 11
When the sun left the sky, Blaze lit his lanterns and took a few more from the house to work by. His head finally cleared of all his dreams and disappointments as he fell into the deep concentration enchantments required. Each stroke of the magic paint traced lines he had etched into what was becoming the control mechanisms for the airship. Steadily, he connected the wood, steel, and gold pieces to the resonant core of crystals of the engine. His ship had its own reality, a hum of a song ready to be sung to the world, waiting for him to finish and unleash it.
His invention would show all of Everend Market that noble lineage and bottomless pockets weren’t what would change the world.Hewould. Blaze Levimist. Son to poor inventors, student overlooked for less risky magics, creator who had a vision that others were too cowardly to accept. And he was well ahead of schedule. He would have at least three days after completion to gloat at social events before wowing everyone at the competition.
He cracked a smile for the first time in days.
Light footsteps on the dock told Blaze that someone had made it back from the dance, which was odd but not unexpected. Shaina had claimed she was going to make everyone dance untildawn, but she was usually the first to complain that she was tired. He grabbed a rag and wiped sweat from his brow. He raised his head from his work to see who had approached.
Fists on his hips, Durae stood on the dock. The light from the lanterns bathed him in a yellowish glow, lending gold to his white hair. A rainbow of colored stones decorated his braids, while some of his hair hung loose. He had an outer robe of rosy pink that had long, wide sleeves and sat delicately on his shoulders. His tunic was cream, and his breeches were dark brown. His boots were absolutely ridiculous and dotted with gems.
He was gorgeous.
He was wearing more than Blaze’s ship was worth, pardoning the celestial diamond.
He waspouting.
Blaze focused on wiping the grime from his hands. Only a little paint had flecked onto them, which was a good sign. He hadn’t wasted much. “Can I help you,my lord?”
“Will you allow me to explain?” Durae asked.
“Explain what?” Blaze replied with a shrug. Bitterness seeped into his bones once more, the ache fiercer for having worked his body to the point of exhaustion. He should have remembered to eat. “You were out to toy with someone and didn’t want to be known. It’s a common enough game for nobles to play with my folk.”
Durae couldn’t have looked more hurt if Blaze had stabbed him.
Equal parts pleasure and self-loathing filled Blaze. He narrowed in on his nails because that microcosm of reality was easier to bear than anything happening in his heart or in Durae’s. The one thing he hadn’t counted on was how much dirt would get under them. He wasn’t certain they’d been truly clean since he left Manabelt with Kidd and the others.
Without waiting for Blaze’s permission, Durae hiked up his robe and climbed onto his ship. But his heeled boot caught on the railing, and he careened toward the deck. Blaze reached out and caught him. Doing so meant colliding with him, chest to chest, his hands on Durae’s upper arms.
Durae had the most indecently long white lashes framing his sapphire eyes. Gratitude shone in them as he looked up at Blaze. Softly, he said, “Thank you.”
His voice was the same sort of gentle when he exhaled after sex. A mix of relief and wonder that two nights ago, Blaze had wanted to hold on to forever. And some part of him still wanted that. His stomach churned, disgusted at his weakness, while his heart leapt into his throat with hope.
Logic won out. He pushed Durae back to his feet and stepped away.
Smudgy handprints remained on pink sleeves.
With a bit of flair, Durae regained his composure and swept his hair back from his face. He cleared his throat. “As I was going to tell you at the dance, I am sorry that I gave you a fake name when we met. You were correcting an Aulage proprietary enchantment in public. My family has only put to bed a rivalry with them in my lifetime, and I wouldn’t call it perfectly settled. I did not want to reopen barely closed wounds.”
“So fixing their spellwork had more to do with proving your superiority than helping me,” Blaze said flatly. Thunder was in his ears. He didn’t dare gamble that Durae’s answer was anything else. His heart could scarcely afford the expense of a loss any more than his coin purse could.
“I clasped your hand and danced with you, even though you’re a terrible dancer.” Durae held his chin up high, but his long lashes cut through his attempt to be imposing. He was impishly defiant despite his noble bearing. “I then took you towhere any of my family could be relaxing. Pride is not one of my faults.”
“Deceit is,” Blaze replied.
“For which I am sorry!”
“It’s been over two full days since I learned who you are.”
“I tried to make my way back here last night, but I got lost! Please, Blaze. I am truly sorry that I did not tell you the truth of my name, especially once we were safely alone. I was too busy enjoying your company.”
“And isthatwhy you’ve come to apologize?” Blaze demanded. “My company?”
“Yes,” Durae said without any hint of guile. Naivety softened his eyes, and confusion knitted his brow. “Why did you say it like that? Wait—did you mean?” He put his hands to his cheeks. “Gods, Blaze! I wouldn’t say no, but I hurt your feelings! And I like you! Of course I want to spend time with you and repair the damage I’ve done!”
The roiling in Blaze’s stomach slowed, but the churning changed in its nature. Anger and determination were useful tools, but hope was a flimsy thing not good for much. It could bend and snap with a terrible word. Blaze had stowed it away because he couldn’t afford for it to break. Now, Durae was rooting around in his chest and drawing it out into the starlight.
“But your father clearly doesn’t approve of your association with me,” Blaze said. “And you are the Navisora heir. You should marry.”
