Page 50 of Hunger & Harmony

“It’s naïve,” he says, shaking his head dismissively. “Childish.”

I won’t dismiss it.

“But . . .?”

Sadness tinges his smile.

“I do long for . . .” He clears his throat. “Sometimes it’s hard to remember, even with the crowds. What it’s all about.”

“Don’t do it for the crowds,” I say, pointing at him playfully. “You don’t have to be powerful. You just have to be you.”

“That’s not⁠—”

“It won’t be true if you don’t believe it,” I say, not caring that I cut him off. “Maybe I don’t know the pressure of a kingdom and a court, but I know enough about audacity.”

“Audacity?”

Another laugh brightens the room, far more than any fire. I nod.

“Just believe it, and it’ll happen.” I nudge his arm with mine. “Believe you’re singing for love again, and suddenly, you’re back on track!”

He stares at me. Like he’s seeing me differently. Like my words aren’t entirely lost on him.

“Hm . . .Audacity . . .” His grin widens. “Like you following me here. Does ‘self-preservation’ exist in your world?”

“What’s that? Can I eat it?” I tease with another giggle.

That brings me back to the argument I overheard. I don’t need to remind him, though. Selene said enough, and better than anything I could.

Instead, our playfulness brings us closer. We linger, even just a heartbeat too long, over the armrest, and his gaze falls to my lips. I lick them instinctively, my oxygen suspended. He doesn’t kiss me. I can’t work up the courage either. Even if the space between us feels like it knows we both want to.

Like this, I don’t mind. Being a slice of joy, a bit of an escape. Maybe I am the king’s jester. My eyes linger on his relaxed smile, and the warmth in my heart grows.

Yeah. Maybe I am.

12

SWEET TOOTH

“Eww, are you listening to SYRE?”

I have to completely pull out my earbuds to make sure I heard Lorelai right.

“What? You think they’re ew?”

She scrunches her nose in pure disgust.

“They’re way too pretty and superficial,” she says, tongue out and head shaking.

My jaw hits the tour bus’s floor. Pretty being used as an insult is new to me.

“I actually think they’re unique for a boy group,” I say, not needing to be defensive. I have the pop fan certification to back my claim.

“There’s just nothing redeeming about pop music.”

When she’s the one with bubblegum pink hair? With cute trinkets weighing down her purse and an aesthetic lock screen to match her phone case? She’s the first person I would assume to be a fan!

“Well, good thing it’s in my ears, not yours,” I say, trying my best to keep my tone light.