Music played, courtesy of House Euterpe, colored elemental lights danced in the air, the scents of delicious food warmed the chill, while a few lacy snowflakes drifted down. It was a perfect evening and Iliana looked like she was attending an execution. “I’m just… tired. It was kind of a shitty day, but for no particular reason. And, no, I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to go back to my room.”
“All right.” He offered her his arm. “I’ll go with you.”
“No, you shouldn’t miss the party,” she protested.
“It wouldn’t be any fun without you,” he told her with perfect honesty, and playing on her good nature ruthlessly. “What will you do in your room alone—mope? Stay and do the race with me,” he wheedled.
She rolled her eyes and huffed out a breath. “Fine.”
Cheers went up as the race finished—with Alise Elal the winner as predicted—but it sounded like they were cheering on Han’s accomplishment. He’d take it.
“While we’re waiting, let’s dance!” Pushing his luck, he seized her hand and dragged her to the dance floor laid out on the snow, elemental lights clustered thickly above and pulsing in time with the lively reel playing. Iliana had protested some, but Han knew she loved to dance. And soon enough she was smiling in earnest, brown eyes sparkling with laughter as they whirled through the breathlessly fast dance.
They had to run to make it to their sleigh when the fifth race was called, climbing in and settling into line with the others. Since this race was for familiar and uncats, there weren’t any clear favorites to win, as no one could actively use magic to influence the elementals. The crowd was also smaller, the wizards uninterested in these later races, which was fine by everyone. More fun that way.
“You talk to the elemental,” he told Iliana. “They like you better.”
“I really don’t think that’s true,” she countered. “With your House Hanneil blood and MP scores in psychic magic, you should be able to communicate with them.” But she didn’t press him further. They had this argument every year and the one time she’d convinced him to talk to the elemental, they’d come in last. The little creatures had it in for him, for some reason.
She leaned forward, cupping her hands around the case holding the elemental, whispering something to it. Staying there, she listened for the starting chime. The moment it rang out, the sleigh leapt into motion, streaking ahead of the others. With a startled shriek, Iliana fell back against the padded seat, bursting into laughter, and Han put a quick arm around her to ensure she didn’t fall out. Her hood had fallen back and her fiery curls whipped in the wind of their passage, lashing his cheek with silky tendrils.
“What did you tell it?” he shouted over his own laughter, risking a glance at their competition, finding the nearest two lengths behind.
“I promised to bring it a fire elemental to play with if we won. Nic Elal taught me that trick before she left.”
“Clever!” Elementals weren’t intelligent, per se, not as much as a dog or a horse, but they did understand simple commands—they had to, so even common folk could direct the magical conveyances—and were apparently susceptible to bribes. Usually the air elementals were kept far away from the fire ones, for obvious reasons. That was a fine treat to offer, indeed.
They rounded the far end of the frozen lake, the sleigh going up on one runner as it banked tightly around the marker, making Iliana squeal in excitement. Han’s heart thrilled to the sound. For at least this moment, she wasn’t worrying about their future. Shouting behind them heralded their fast-encroaching competitor.
“We need more speed!” he shouted, leaning forward as if he could somehow make the sleigh go faster. Iliana leaned forward, too, egging on the little elemental. Slowly they pulled ahead, the finish line with its colorful banners flapping enticingly close.
And they were across! A clear two lengths ahead of their closest competitor. The sleigh slowed to a stop, Iliana leaning to whisper to the air elemental. Amid the congratulations of their cohort, Han and Iliana accepted their trophy, a cup etched with the Convocation crest and marked with the date. Most importantly, it was filled with warmed whiskey of an exceptional quality from House Iacomus.
Iliana glowed with victory, her cheeks flushed, and they watched the next two races together, passing the whiskey back and forth, cheering for their friends. It was almost like old times, when they were both uncats and the world held so much potential, when their futures were only bright.
Well, no matter how things turned out for Han, he would make sure Iliana would be happy. Not just tonight, but all the days and nights ahead.
Once the racesfinished, Iliana let Han talk her into more dancing. With the excellent whiskey warming her blood, not to mention the heady glow of Han’s undivided attention, she could hardly resist. She loved him so much and he was right: this was their last Founding Festival together. Rather than try to hold him at arm’s length, in anticipation of their imminent parting, she decided to enjoy his company while she could.
Han at his most charming was impossible to refuse. Which would be a major problem when he manifested as a wizard, but she wouldn’t think about that tonight. Since it was a holiday, the thought-seekers gave everyone a break—and were celebrating themselves. The festival was a rare excuse for everyone to loosen up.
A little bit tipsy, the lights and dancing making her feel giddy, she danced with Han until she was so warm she had to shed her cloak. Among his many skills, Han was also an excellent dancer—far better than she, but he was so skilled that he made his partner look good—and they found themselves more than once in a circle of cheering spectators as he whirled her through the vigorous dances.
Then the music slowed, and she fanned herself, blowing out a breath, and headed off the dance floor. Han caught her hand. “Hey, where are you going?” Expertly he twirled her under his arm, then snugged her close, a hand on the small of her back as he led her through the dreamy rhythm.
Iliana braced one hand on Han’s chest, his heart thumping rapidly beneath her fingertips, his blue eyes lambent in the starry light. “We never dance the slow dances,” she breathed.
“A grievous lapse of judgment on my part,” he murmured, gaze traveling over her face. “You feel perfect in my arms, lovely Iliana. I want you here forever.”
She tore her gaze from his heartbreakingly beautiful face, focusing on his throat instead. That wasn’t much help, as his skin begged to be kissed and nibbled. “I don’t understand what’s changed between us, why you’re being so…”
“Seductive?” he suggested in a warm purr. “Devastatingly handsome and charming?”
Snorting, she made a face at him. “Aggressive. And annoyingly persistent.”
“Nothing’s changed,” he replied, raw honesty in his expression. “I’ve loved you for years. The only difference is that I realized I have to act on my feelings now or risk losing you forever.”
“We’re going to lose each other regardless,” she told him, hating that she had to say it. “Even if you manifest as a wizard, you’ll have to complete your education here while I’m going to graduate very soon. I’ll be assigned to a wizard and it won’t be you.” She swallowed the temptation to explain all the reasons she couldn’t bear for it to be him. He’d only argue. “The timing is wrong and we have to accept that.”
