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Nyssa

The sky outside the window shifts, its inky blackness softening into indigo as I bend to gather my sandals.

When I glance up, Cinder shifts on his perch nearby. I’m not sure when he returned, but his black eyes lock onto me with a look that feels undeniably full of reproach. He ruffles his feathers indignantly before tucking his head back under his wing.

Who knew birds could be so judgmental?

I creep toward the door, my feet silent on the marble floor. But the faint rustle of sheets meets my ears, and I freeze. Slowly, I turn and find Kallias watching me, tousled and anything but composed. His hair curls across the pillow, untamed and dark against the white linens, his warm skin gleaming in the early light.

My chest tightens at the sight, a sharp pinch behind my ribs.

“This must be the first time anyone’s tried sneaking out on me,” he mutters, his voice roughened by sleep.

“Someone has to keep your ego in check, my prince,” I tease, already heading toward the door. I’ve had many lovers over the years, but I’ve never stayed with anyone. I’ve never had to deal with…well, this.

His eyes follow me, heat flickering in them as he shifts upright, propping himself on one elbow. It makes him look even more devastatingly undone. “Nyssa…” he starts, and my heart stops.

Kallias has called me many things. Songbird. Poison. But never my name. Never Nyssa.

He seems to realize it too, his brow furrowing as he watches me. I don’t give him the chance to continue.

“I’ll be back tonight,” I say. His gaze burns hotter, until I add, “To go over the plan.”

The faintest curve touches his lips, something tempting and infuriating in its knowingness. “To go over the plan, of course.”

I bite down on a wry smile. “Try to behave yourself until then,” I quip, stepping through the doorway without waiting for his reply.

I scurry toward the door to the antechamber, breathing a sigh as it falls shut behind me. I press my back against it, letting my eyes fall closed as the weight of everything catches up to me. His voice, rough and sleep-warmed, saying my name like a confession…

“Anemoi have mercy on me,” I mutter.

“On you? You’re not the one who had to evacuate the palace like it was on fire.”

My eyes snap open as Maxim closes the passage door behind him, his dark gaze alight with barely concealed amusement.

I scowl, straightening. “Not a word.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He makes a valiant effort to school his face into something resembling seriousness, but the twitch at the corner of his lips betrays him. “So, I take it he isn’t sending you away?”

I hesitate, then nod. “Yes. I’m staying.”

“What are you planning to do when Malis stops searching for you?”

The question catches me off guard. What am I planning to do? I’d told myself I’d head north, try to find Aella, but the thought feels distant now, like a half-formed idea I can’t quite grasp. Not only do I barely know where to start to search for her, but now, with Myna and Lucaz being held by the Aviary, I can’t simply leave them behind.

“I don’t know,” I admit finally. “I thought I’d try to find Aella. But…” I trail off, shaking my head. “There’s too much. Myna, Lucaz, the Aviary. I don’t even know where to start.”

Maxim studies me, his dark eyes searching mine. “And what about Kallias?”

I open my mouth to respond, but the words catch in my throat.

I force myself to meet Maxim’s gaze, even as my heart aches with the weight of what I’m about to say. “He’s a prince, Max,” I say softly. “Someone like him isn’t meant for someone like me.”

The words taste bitter, and I hate how much they hurt to say. But I’ve always been a realist. I know what I am, and I know what he is.

Maxim frowns. “You don’t believe that.”

I try to mask the ache in my chest. “It doesn’t matter what I believe. It’s the truth.”