“You couldn’t have known.”
“If you wanted it kept secret, why would you riskBlood Sightso out in the open like this?”
Basil said nothing, his eyes sliding to mine in irritation.
“It was stupid, I know. Baze, I didn’t mean?—”
“You nevermeananything,” he snapped, startling me. “Everything I do, I do for you and our family. And you somehow always find a way to make eventhatdifficult.” He bolted after the others, leaving me bristling in disbelief.
Mel stared after him. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him so worked up.”
“Yes, well, I have that effect on people, if you haven’t noticed. Particularly my family.”
She rubbed my shoulder. “You worry too much. I swear you have a water sign in your natal chart somewhere with all that anxiety.”
I shrugged. “Not a drop of water to be found.”
According to my chart, I should have been far more level-headed and wiser. A scholar like my grandfather or Basil. Gemini, like its fellow air-ruled territories Libra and Aquarius, favored knowledge and intellect above all other qualities. Our Academies were said to be the best in Gaianos, containing the grandest libraries and brilliant minds.
“This evening has become far more dismal than it ought to be,” Mel pronounced. “Gemini is no doubt watching, scorning us for our blasphemous lack of dancing.”
“We’re at a tavern on the final eve ofTempus, Mel. Hardly anyone here actually cares about giving credence to our Astral. I’m pretty sure I’m the only one in yellow.”
“Well, since we’re so far past getting in Gemini’s good graces this year, enough talking and more dancing.”
Jumping to the music, our booted heels tapped against the other dancers near us. Strangers became friends duringTempus.Everyone in the kingdom shared the same natal month, uniting all the different personality types that made up Gemini.
Only once the sweat pooled at my brows and beneath my arms did the music finally slow. Mel and I laughed, tangling together from the exertion. The drunken flutist in the far corner played a tune I wasn’t familiar with, but my body was quick to find the rhythm.
We caught our breaths, our hearts slowing. The lightness filling my chest temporarily eased my guilt about Basil and fear of Jere.
“So, about Basil’s gift,” Mel said as we withdrew from the circle. She leaned against a wooden pillar. “I won’t tell a soulabout it,” she promised. “But I can’t say the same for Kole and Ross.”
“Kole? Really?”
“Mybrother, trustworthy and reliable?” She released me to fluff her fine hair and shot me a pitying look.
“You’re biased,” I said. I worried she was right. “What about Ross?”
She smiled coyly. “I think I can work on him.”
“You can do better.”
“So can you.” She shoved her elbow into my hip. “Oh, come on. I’m not the only one to have utilized the broom closets here. You’ve had fun with others besides my brother, and I’m certain you will again.”
“I know, but…” I wanted to belong to someone. I wanted someone to belong tome. I wanted someone to know me irrevocably beyond the planes of my body.
When I didn’t budge or crack a smile, Mel softened her approach. “Basil will come around. He always does. You two are thicker than your hair, for stars’ sake.” She smoothed my curls back under the scarf keeping most of my updo intact. “What were you hoping Basil would see?”
A soft melody that filled the cramped tavern. Couples drifted closer, hands wrapping around waists and fingers caressing skin. I longed for that tender familiarity. Emboldened from exertion and the ale, I said, “I’m tired of it.”
“Of what?”
For as close as we were, our friendship relied on good times and cheap wine. But I was too exhausted to pretend with her. “This is fun and all, but… I don’t know, sometimes I wantmore, you know? I feel like a shadow, always following but never leading. I wanted Basil to see if I ever would lead a different life.” From Jere, from my family.
As much as I adored Mel, she didn’t fully understand. Her eyes dimmed as she said, “This world is cruel enough, and not all of us are fortunate enough to be in a position where you don’t have to worry about much. You may not have had parents to grow up with, but you had two grandparents who have loved you enough to stay sober and stick around.”
“Mel…”
