25. Diar
Diar
War could be waiting outside our walls, and I was locked inside my room. That sketchy Solheart had let me touch Siotha and promptly dragged me back to my room. My prison.
I needed to know what was happening outside. Folding my arms, I paced from one bedpost to the other.
Siotha had not chosen me. It couldn’t have. That Solheart—Quinn, Glenn, whatever his name was—was merely playing some twisted game with me.
My fingers twitched, longing to grasp the bow. My heart yearned to return to it.
Shaking the foolish notions off, I tried my doorknob, but it was locked.
The moment I pulled my hand away, someone on the other side fitted a key into the lock and clicked it open. A gentle knock followed.
My mother pushed the door open enough to peer inside. She looked frazzled. Her normally neat bun fell in loose strands around her deep blue eyes. Dark lines ran beneath her lids.
“Your father intends to speak with you tonight,” Mother said.
“You mean kill me?” I said.
She gripped my door frame. “What were you thinking? I did not raise my daughter to frolic the streets alone like a whore seeking work.”
I reeled back from her as though struck. As a younger girl, I'd imagined my mother to be sympathetic. To yearn for freedom, herself.
She did not.
Mother glanced over her shoulder. “Don’t contest anything your father says. Keep your head lowered. Behave. Do you understand?”
“I understand,” I said tightly.
Never in my life had I bowed my head to my father. Akemi had spent fifteen years covering for me and convincing Father to go easy on me. In Father’s eyes, his son and heir could do no wrong. So he listened.
I’d grown too accustomed to escaping punishment to behave now.
Mother closed the door and locked it again. I ran a hand over my face, trying to decide what to do, what I wanted.
A stone plunked against my window. Lifting my head, I stared through the frosty glass. Consumed by nostalgia.
Akemi had convinced me to sneak out with him by throwing rocks at my window. He’d make a slide from the snow to help me to the ground safely.
My whole life had revolved around my brother. Father hadn’t allowed me out of the home most days. When he did, I was forbidden from straying from his side. Mother had always been distant. There had never been any ‘friends.’
I felt hollow, realizing it. Realizing my life held no meaning anymore.
A second stone plunked against my window. Pressing my shoulder against the pane, I pushed the frozen glass open.
A man stood in the garden below, wrapped in a heavy winter cloak. Seeing the window had opened, he climbed up the wall like a well-practiced thief. Stepping away from the window, I felt around for a weapon.
But I had none.
The rogue gracefully leaped through the window and landed beside me. He pushed his hood back, and steel curls spilled loose.
I stared at him, mind blank.
Ferris grinned. “I had a feeling I’d find you here.”
I blinked a few times, looking him up and down. Blood stained his forest green jacket and boots. One had been torn open and re-mended.
Ferris was Aenir's prince. Why would he be here, in Tsuyan, wounded from battle?
“Why are you in my room?” I finally said.
“And here I was hoping you’d be happy to see me.” Ferris walked past me, running a finger along my dresser. “You saved my father’s life, if you recall. The least I could do is see if someone dragged you home for starting bar fights in Kentoro.”
“You started that fight.”
“Details, details.” Ferris pulled his finger back. It was coated in dust. “Do you live here?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I sleep here. How did you even find me?"
"It wasn't that hard. I asked where the general's manor was and looked in the windows until I saw you."
"Well, if you want to speak to my father, you’re in luck," I said, pulling the window closed. "He’ll be here shortly to kill me.”
Ferris grimaced. He reached past me, pressing a hand to the window to keep it open. “Minsawa fell. The men retreated. The monsters might come here next. In fact, I’d bet on it.”
Father must already know that. Why waste time reprimanding me when death approached?
“Your father,” I said. “A Solheart tried to kill him. While Galasvar fell.”
Ferris’ eyes narrowed. “What are you thinking?”
“That there’s a Solheart here. And I don’t trust him.” Pushing the window open, I breathed in the frozen air.
How and why the two might be connected was for someone else to figure out. Quinn had left to meet with his underlings. There wouldn’t be a better time to spy on him.
Pressing my hands to the sill, I looked down at the piles of snow, two stories below. Shit. Without my sword, I’d be useless. It was my catalyst, too.
“Whoa.” Ferris grabbed my arm. “Where are you going?”
“Did you not come here to help me escape?”
“No, I . . . I just wanted to see you again.” He snapped his mouth shut.
He wanted to see me again? All I’d done was punch him in the nose and accuse him of treason.
Ferris cleared his throat. “But if you want to be rescued, consider me your knight in shining armor.”
Releasing the window, I glanced at the door and lowered my voice. “Are you any good at thievery?”
“I could manage.” He tilted his head. “Why?”
“I need my sword. And if you manage to get it, I’ll forgive you for throwing me into a bar fight.”
“You looked like you enjoyed it, though.” Ferris saw the glare in my eye and changed his tune. “Right. Where is it?”
“On the mantle. Don’t get caught.”
“You’re awfully trusting.” Ferris flicked his wrist. An emerald light gathered over my bed. “Luckily for you, I won’t even need to set foot inside.”
The light pulsed, growing in strength. Feathery wings emerged from the core, and a draconic head took shape from crackling lightning.
I stared at the dragon floating over my bed and looked at Ferris for an explanation.
He smirked. “After you, my lady. The wind shall catch your fall.”
I knew catalysts could take various shapes, but I’d never imagined a dragon. Crouching behind a snow-covered bush, I watched the frosted living room windows, waiting for the little green creature to return.
Ferris knelt beside me, eyes closed. He could see through its eyes, apparently.
Ducking back behind cover, I glanced down at his outstretched hand, flexed in concentration. My hand moved of its own accord, reaching to touch his wrist.
When we’d collided back in the bar, something otherworldly had happened. I couldn’t recall the details, only that the world itself had faded away, leaving only the two of us.
What had that been?
My reckless impulses got the better of me. I pulled my glove off and grabbed his wrist.
Everything changed. The gray snow clouds darkened, and the manor vanished—water spread beneath our feet, melting away the snow and the leaves. Charged air crackled in my lungs and thunder rumbled overhead.
Ferris’ eyes shot open. He stared at me, silent. I was silent, too.
Something about this place felt right. Calming. Like I could close my eyes and drift away.
Tilting my head, I stared into the depths of Ferris' emerald eyes, seeking answers. Why did the spark of our touch create another world, where only we existed?
His eyes searched mine in return.
Ferris leaned forward, nose brushing mine. And then he kissed me.
I'd been kissed once before. Ishida had grabbed me one evening and pressed his lips to mine. They'd tasted of alcohol and felt like teeth.
This was soft, inviting, waiting for me to reciprocate.
Feeling around for a weapon, my fingers closed around a twig.
I slammed it into his shoulder.
“Ah!” Ferris dropped my hand and jerked back. The water hardened into ice and snow, and the storm clouds dissipated. “What are you doing?”
“What are you doing?” I brandished the twig at him. “Back off.”
“You grabbed me. I thought—”
“You don’t even know me.”
“Romance doesn’t require knowing, only—” He sputtered and closed his eyes. “You made me lose concentration.”
Heart fluttering, I shimmied away from him.
Men. Akemi had warned me they were all the same.
Had that been a romantic moment? I’d missed it.
Curse my inability to read anyone.
Glowing emerald light flashed across the snowy yard as Ferris’ dragon flew toward us. It dove behind the hedges and dropped a sword from its talons into my lap.
I sat bolt upright, grabbed the hilt, and pulled it from its sheath.
Akemi's sword gleamed beneath the light of the twin moons, betraying only a hint of the crimson blood folded within.
Relieved, I brushed the snow from my lap and stood. “Did anyone see you?’
“I don’t think so.” Ferris flicked his wrist, and the dragon scattered into the snow. “You did distract me, though.”
“I’m impressed.” I turned around, facing the eastern wall. There was a loose stone there that made it easy to climb.
I took one step and stopped.
Where would Quinn be, exactly? He’d told me to stay put while he attended his meeting, but hadn’t given any details.
Ferris stepped around me. “Solhearts stick to wealthier parts of town. Since Tsuyan doesn’t have a palace, I’d imagine they’re in the nicest inn.”
“Right.” I nodded and strode across the yard. Wishing I had a belt for my blade, I stepped up onto the uneven brick and climbed over, dropping to the other side.
Ferris followed me with ease, landing beside me and pulling his hood up. He offered me an arm. “Do you want to be my wife or courtesan?”
“Courtesan,” I said. “I don’t have the manners of a wife.”
“I’m beginning to realize that,” Ferris said, leading me away from my manor.
Away from my prison.
It wasn’t until we were safely down the road that I realized how my chest tightened and my breath caught in my throat.
With Akemi gone, home held only foul memories. Of Father’s anger and disappointment. Of a window that showed the same view, day after day. Of Mother, and her indifference.
“So, this Solheart,” Ferris said. “What do you know about him?”
“That he was there the night someone tried to kill your father,” I said. “That he led me to Siotha and tried to convince me it chose me.”
Ferris stopped in the middle of the street. “What?”
“I can’t figure out his game. I’m hoping he'll be candid with his friends.” Yanking Ferris’ arm, I got him moving again.
“And you think these are the same men who killed the Emperor?” He lowered his voice.
“They must be,” I said.
In truth, I had no proof of anything—only a hunch driven by my thirst for answers.
Tsuyan was quiet. A well-mannered wife did not stay out late, so most women had retreated indoors. Only a handful of men braved the streets as evening faded to night.
One other woman passed us, giggling, hips swaying, arm linked through a man's. A high slit cut her skirt, and a pale blue band wrapped her thigh: the marks of a courtesan.
I tried emulating her, but my cheeks started burning. Ferris looked down at me, eyebrows raising. Giving up, I bowed my head, hoping nobody would examine me too closely.
A heavy breeze tore through the road, fluttering my excessively long gown and Ferris’ cloak. When it settled, he turned to me. “What do you think it is? That . . . thing that happens when we touch.”
“I don’t know,” I said, reflecting on the night I’d spent in Kentoro. “It happened with that woman, too. The one with white hair, who brought back the Paragon sword.”
“Mare?” Ferris’ eyebrows shot up. He glanced away. “I should’ve found an excuse to brush hands with her.” He slapped a hand to his forehead. “Saints, I’m an idiot. Ask me, this time.”
“Ask you what?”
“Why does that thing happen when we touch?”
I furrowed my brow, confused. “Okay. Why do you think that thing happens?”
“What else?” He said, taking my hand in his. “It must be a sign from the stars that we’re fated to be together.”
I blinked at him. “Right.” Yanking my hand from his, I turned back to the road. “I guess I’m fated to be with that woman, too.”
Ferris chuckled. “Lucky you. Mare’s beautiful. Shame she’s marrying my brother.” His voice rose. “By the way, I—’
“Sh.” I shoved him into the doorway of the nearest building.
A trio of Solhearts stood on a porch at the end of the block. Two wore white, one black. I could see bright blond hair and bronze skin, though the details of their faces were difficult to make out.
Ferris at least had the sense to shut up and lean into the shadows. We pressed ourselves against the wall, watching.
Quinn waved an arm and clapped one of the Solhearts on the shoulder. Pulling his collar up, he trotted down the porch steps and sauntered down the road. The other two did not follow. They retreated through the inn’s door.
“Where’s he going?” Ferris breathed, placing a hand on the cold brick wall.
His fingers brushed mine, reminding me we were pressed together.
Fluttering wings danced through my chest. What was that? I'd never felt it before.
Shrinking away from Ferris, I grabbed my sword. “Let’s find out.”
Curling my fingers around my blade, I focused on the swaying black cloak ahead of me. This time, Quinn was outnumbered. We’d catch him unawares.
And I’d tear the answers from him, if need be.