Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“I don’t know. Buying someone dessert sounds like something a . . . friend would do.”
“What . . . Are you upset?” There’s something about his tone, his posture . . . “Well, I’m upset too,” I say. “You took off without a word!”
He looks over sharply, expression pensive.
I frown. Is this it? Another sudden departure between us?
But Calix steers to a set of steps and joins me on the bank. At my confused look, he taps my rumbling belly with a cane he’d pulled from the boat. “Pecan puffs.”
He snaps through the streets, leading the way while I frown after him. He disappears from the mountain without a word, he’s upset we’re not friends, and now he comes along to feed me pastry puffs?
Also—I come to an abrupt halt outside the inn Maskios is heading into, and then hurry inside after him. “Why are you still hurt?” I demand the moment we are seated at a small table.
He stiffens. “Father was furious at my absence that night. I was . . . punished. I’m to heal without magic.”
Harsh. “He’s tough on you.”
“He’s tough on everyone.”
At my inquiring brow, he clears his throat. “My brother disobeyed him too. We’re both hobbling on canes today.”
I lean in with a smirk. “Then let’s order sikelion lamb and emberfruit pheasant, too. And some borage tea. With that, I can take away your pain.”
“You just want more free food.”
“We both win.”
He orders everything I ask for and the dishes fill every spot of space on the table.
And I moan into all of it, especially the delightful bite of pecan puff.
But, then I catch myself. I smartly put down the pastry and look directly over the table. “Enough.”
He shifts, chest puffed on a held breath.
“Why do you keep frowning? Why are you sharing this meal with me? Why were you so upset before?”
Calix looks away. “I was upset before I met you tonight.” His jaw quivers. “My marriage has been arranged.”
I stare and shift awkwardly on my seat, suddenly finding the last morsel of puff immensely interesting. “Arranged?”
“But I can’t. I really can’t.”
“Is she not nice enough? Pretty enough?”
“She’s plenty nice and plenty pretty. That’s not it, Caelus.”
Calix searches my face, imploring. “Being with someone should be intimate, passionate. Should be felt deep inside.” He shakes his head. “I can’t be that with her. Do you understand? I can’t.”
I breathe in sharply, something inside sinking. My gaze takes a slow stroll down Calix to where he disappears under the table. I gulp and slowly look up at him again.
I eye the shared food between us . . . Was this supposed to be payment for . . . help? I hesitate, then pick up the last morsel of pastry puff and pop it into my mouth, swallowing over a tight lump. “I understand.”
Calix lets out a shaky breath, briefly closing his eyes, and I find myself leaning over the table with a lingering downward glance as I whisper, “I can get that happy for you.”
There’s a pause. A momentary thickening of the air between us. And then Calix hurtles to his feet. He’s staring hard at me and then he’s dropping money on the table—
But before I can even ask what’s wrong, he turns and walks out.
Again.
Gone.
I stare after him, floored.
“Fickle!” I yell.
The innkeeper glances over, raising a brow.
I take another bite of pecan puff.
“And I want the rest boxed up,” I add.
Back at home, I sneak past a pair of aklos scrubbing the floor and an akla ironing Father’s robes like she’s waging war on every wrinkle. I tiptoe down the corridor, clutching my pastry box like a treasure.
My room welcomes me with its familiar herbal scent. I don’t bother lighting the lanterns. I just flop onto my bed, puff box cradled in my lap.
I tear it open.
He’s just one silly young man.
That’s all.
One masked, frustrating, annoyingly mysterious young man who doesn’t know how to say goodbye properly. Or how to stay. Or how to . . .
I sigh.
He’ll come and he’ll go. Probably he’s already gone. Vanished from my life like the last bite of this puff.
So forget him.
He doesn’t get to take up space in my mind like this. Lingering like the scent of magic after a spell.
Lingering thoughts should be reserved for people who matter.
Like my family.
Like Akilah, who’s practically my sister, who’s stuck by me through more than anyone else.
Like Veronica, my stubborn, sharp friend who taught me how to wield a drakopala stick.
And even like the prince I once slept beside in the hollow of a violet oak, the one who made my heart stutter for the first time in my life.
Those are people worth remembering.
Not some too-handsome, magic-masked, cryptic-lipped, just-par-linea-declaring drakopagon-playing—
I bite the puff too hard. Cream oozes down my chin.
I wipe it off with the back of my sleeve, scowling at the ceiling, nodding in fierce self-agreement.