Durae leaned against the railing and tilted his head toward the stars. “My people have spent generations watching the celestial bodies and mapping where they go. Many use the stars’ paths as guidance for how to live their lives, as if the answer of their destiny lies in a pattern made without a thought to them.
“You would think we’d have placed every star and every planet on a map, but we are always discovering the flaws inthe predictions or new stars that have emerged. We realize that some things are not what we thought they were, that their influence is greater or lesser than originally believed. We know that the same stars do not shine everywhere across the world. The patterns aren’t fixed.
“My family calls me a comet. I used to think that was an insult, but I am realizing that it means they don’t know how to map my destiny. It terrifies my mother because she wants happiness and love for me, and all her celestial signs have given her great concern about my fate.
“Comets don’t listen to the stars. They run their own orbits, heedless of where it might take them, and burn bright the whole way. I wish to own my future like they do.”
Drawn to him, Blaze had moved closer while Durae spoke and leaned against the railing beside him. After drinking in the sight of him, he turned his gaze upward. Somewhere, a comet was likely crossing through the night, but he had no telescope to find it. But the odds were in favor of countless ones existing, even if some were at incredible distances.
“That’s very poetic, but not very practical if your parents toss you out for consorting with me,” Blaze murmured.
“They won’t.”
“Your father?—”
Stones sparkling in the low light, Durae tore his attention from the stars. The motion of him drew Blaze’s reflexes, and their gazes met. Fierce passion lent Durae’s blue eyes an undeniable magic so strong that all complaint dried on Blaze’s tongue.
“My father is not the head of my family. Mama is.” Durae motioned at himself. “My papa said that they are not dressing me up so someone can claim me, but giving me the best chance to show others how I shine. And though my mama was not happy about the way I told her I spent the night on the Glaesflod—and I was acting shamefully, I’ll admit—she and Papa have not uttered a single word of reprimand about my spending time with you.”
“Spending time with and marrying a commoner are two different things,” Blaze replied.
Durae arched an eyebrow. “Are you proposing?”
“Ah, no.” Blaze couldn’t stop his gaze from drifting down to where he had left smudges on Durae’s fine robe. Voice trembling at the edge of a whisper, he said, “Comets are not wild things. Even if it’s unmapped, some predictions can be made. I don’t wish to put hope in a trajectory that will smash my heart to pieces.”
With a surprising strength, Durae clasped his hand and held him tight. “I do not know what Mama and Papa would say if I told them I wished to marry you.”
“They could disinherit you,” Blaze murmured.
“They might not. Should a consequence of falling in love become forsaking my inheritance, I will choose love.”
“That is easy to say when you’re wearing gems on your shoes,” Blaze pointed out.
“Well, I imagine I’d have some warning if they were cross, and I know all the best ways in and out of our treasury, so I could procure at least a small fortune. And I would be walking toward someone, not running from my life. Should I choose to marry a commoner, I might lose a title, but my sister would gain it, and she would lead our family with grace.” Durae smiled mischievously and put his index finger on Blaze’s bare collarbone. “If I were suddenly broke and helplessly making my way in the world, would you abandon me to my fate?”
Where he had been sullen when he arrived at the dock, his lips now curved in a decadent tease of a pout. Blaze knew the Dun Steorran elves had command of gravity, but watching Durae for too long was like falling through the air, waiting toeither smash on the ground or continue floating forever. He wasn’t sure he could handle the feeling but couldn’t imagine losing it.
“I could never abandon you,” Blaze said.
Laughter lit Durae’s eyes. He traced Blaze’s collarbone to the center and then ran his finger halfway down his chest. “You did, technically. You left me sitting at a party instead of giving me a chance to apologize.”
“You didn’t come after me.”
“I tried. My father cast a spell to keep me in my seat.”
“I’m sorry I assumed the worst of you,” Blaze said.
“Forgiven,” Durae murmured.
“Just like that?”
“If you’ve forgiven me, then yes, just like that.”
Staring into Durae’s eyes, Blaze was ashamed he’d ever held an ounce of anger for him. All the reasons had made sense. A part of him claimed that he should lock his heart away instead of allowing Durae anywhere near it. One small lie was not likely to be his last.I don’t have enough data to know if he’ll lie again or not.
Inventing an engine that could potentially destroy a small town suddenly seemed far less dangerous than letting another know him. But the sort of love his fathers had was possible. He could hear their voices, full of fondness and devotion, and that took trust and time to build.
And there was the truth, the real reason he had been so angry with everyone around him.
