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I cross my arms. “I have better things to do.”

“Like what?” he challenges.

“Organize my boots.”

He laughs, low and warm. “You were yelling plays.”

“I was correcting incompetence.”

“You made me trip.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Prove it.”

His eyes lock with mine, and an unexpected heat rises in my core.

“Be there,” he says softly. “Both of you.”

Akemi squeezes my hand.

I roll my eyes. “Fine. But if you lose your pants again, I’m leaving.”

He grins like I just handed him the sun and jogs back toward his team, arms raised and yelling profanities.

Akemi turns to me slowly.

“You’re smiling.”

“Am not.”

“You are.”

I look back at the field. Scorch marks score the ground. Chaos and the lingering hum of magic still hang in the air.

I didn’t get to play. I might never.

But my voice mattered. My sun magic, my prank… all helped make the game enjoyable. For me, and sure as fuck for the audience. Leaf, too, probably. I always admired Solarball for the sport, but I hadn’t realized how much the support around the game helps make the experience worthwhile. Not until now.

And when the crowd starts chanting Purple and Silver again, I don’t feel sidelined. “Come on,” I say to Akemi. “I need a drink.”

“You hate wine.”

“I do.”

“But?”

I glance once more toward Leaf laughing with his team.

“But,” I admit grudgingly, “I don’t hate this.”

And that… that feels dangerously close to happiness.

21

Shadow Throne

The shortcut through the forest from the Watch to Olwythion is filled by hundreds of cadets and townsfolk after the game. The sun sets over the trees, and the night air plummets to a brisk temperature that sings of impending winter. Stars wink above as we make our way toward Anita’s.

“You were amazing, Leaf,” I say.