Chapter 5
Durae held perfectly still as the net of garnets and amethysts was set into his hair.
The tiny array of gems would make his hair glitter like a sea of stars.
Matching sparkles of color were embroidered into his gossamer robes.
He’d hated the idea of thin fabric when he first saw his outfits for market.
They were far too lightweight for even the hottest day of summer in the mountains, but the dash back to the inn had reminded Durae how much warmer and muggier the Everend Market was compared to home.
When the sun struck its zenith, he was going to be happy for the thin material, even if he did feel mostly naked in it now.
Though his unease likely had more to do with the way his mother was staring at the tea leaves in his cup rather than what he was wearing.
She hadn’t taken anywhere near as long reading Uleyri’s before dismissing her.
His sister had escaped to her bedroom, where another of their servants was helping her finish her preparations for the morning.
“Where did you go last night?” Mama asked without lifting her gaze from his cup.
“To bed. I wasn’t feeling well.”
“But you went out this morning for pastries.”
“I woke feeling refreshed,” Durae said carefully. He’d repeated his story a few times already. “I wanted to partake of the cultural celebration. This is the birthplace of all elfdom.”
“In the same way that mountains birth rivers. All has flowed from it, but even itself cannot remain the same.” Mama sighed heavily.
“Whatever you did, your future has become more muddled than ever! You should have gone with me to the seers last night. One of them might have been able to pierce this veil enveloping you and given us guidance.”
Durae lifted one of his arms so the sheer fabric of his sleeve was in front of his face. “This is the only veil I know of in my life, Mother.”
“It is the fashion.”
“Next, you’ll push an illusion ring at me,” Durae scoffed.
Mama gave him a flat glare.
He dropped his jaw in disgust. “Mama, I was joking! Tell me you’re not going to give me some charm that changes my appearance!”
“Every noble uses magic to enhance—”
Durae stood, wincing as some of his hair was caught in the servant’s hands.
He hadn’t thought his rebellion through, but he wouldn’t back down now.
“I can assure you, I don’t need some bauble to enhance anything!
I am handsome without being draped in all this fabric.
I certainly don’t need magic to choose my suitor! ”
“You do need to show up,” Mama said sternly. “Something you failed to do last night.”
“I told you, I was tired!”
“You were not in your room.”
“I—”
“I opened the door, Durae, so please stop lying to me!”
Durae flinched. With a sigh of resignation, he sat back down. The servant resumed fixing his hair. “I explored a little, that’s all.”
“You came back with barely enough time to get ready for this morning.” Mama narrowed her eyes. “Will there be rumors of the Navisora heir drinking himself into a stupor last night?”
She always seeks how I will be our family’s ruin.
One night with Blaze had been more confidence-affirming than a lifetime within the Navisora tower.
Durae leaned forward and said with a hiss, “I barely had a glass of wine last night, Mother. I was out having sex. Lots of sex. On a boat. I lost my virginity on the Glaesflod.”
“Durae!” Papa said. He and Father were emerging from their bedroom together. They both looked shocked, but Papa was the one to continue speaking. “There is no cause to speak to your mother with venom in your voice.”
“Of course the two of you would think that. You’re likely in on the conspiracy to gussy me up like a prized tiara.
Did you know she has an illusion ring for me?
She’s worried I will be the doom of our family unless I marry but wants me to lie about my appearance while attracting a spouse!
What if they aren’t happy about the deception, and that causes our ruin, hm? ”
“Illusion rings are common, Durae,” Father said.
“Does Uleyri have one?”
“We all do, actually. It’s little more than to keep our complexions from flustering in the heat and to provide a pleasant odor if we sweat too much,” Father replied.
Cold swept up Durae’s spine deeper than any winter chill. “Mama made it sound like—”
“You didn’t give me the opportunity to explain what it would do.
You assumed,” Mama snapped. She dropped a ring onto the table.
“Wear it. Don’t wear it. The choice is yours, just as you will have the final say of whoever you join with.
I endeavor to provide our family with a future, Durae, not rob you of joy. ”
She stalked out of the suite.
Durae folded his arms over his chest and glowered at his teacup and did his best to ignore the burning in his eyes.
Father followed after Mama while Papa took her seat.
He gestured for the remaining servants to leave the room, and they did without a word.
When Papa said nothing, Durae choked out, “I’m not wrong to be upset. ”
“Durae—”
“I’m not!” Durae lifted his chin. “All my life, she has declared I am a catastrophe in the making. I was conceived and born under the wrong stars.”
“When you were born—”
“A star struck the mountain, the most ominous of omens,” Durae said. “I know.”
Papa sighed and pushed aside Durae’s teacup. “May I finish a sentence?”
Durae closed his mouth and held his arms tightly.
“Some call it bad luck, but that isn’t all that it could mean.
I believe the gods gave us a different sign,” Papa said patiently.
“As much charting destiny as your mother attempts to do, she has been afraid to say what else your stars may mean because she doesn’t want to speak it into being.
She’s terrified. Your father is worried.
I still think everything will work out fine. ”
“What else could ‘catastrophe’ mean?” Durae asked.
“I am sworn not to tell you.”
“Papa—”
“Let me finish. We want, more than anything, for you to make a good match, and we worry over Uleyri and her prospects. I know you see her as tougher than you, but she has the same sweet heart that you do. There are those in this world who would take advantage of you, of your wealth, of your noble lineage. No one expects you to make a match on your first day, and we will not force one, especially not during your first market. I know we have a spot reserved for the final day, but better to give it away to a friend at the end than miss the opportunity.” Papa put his hand on Durae’s and squeezed.
“As grown as you believe yourself to be, there is so much to the world you can’t possibly know.
But you can’t learn it in the tower; thus, we came here. ”
“You could have sent me to university,” Durae complained.
“You never expressed interest in going.”
“I did to Silsby! He said I chase too many clouds to be a scholar.”
Papa narrowed his eyes. “We shall have to see how long he remains employed, then.”
“He’s not entirely wrong,” Durae muttered. “I’ve caused more accidents in the workshop than anyone else.”
“And in seeking what caused your mistakes, we’ve discovered flaws in our gondolas that could have been disastrous. You’ve saved lives.” Papa squeezed his hand again. “You are not our catastrophe-in-waiting. You’re our comet.”
“Because I set things on fire?”
“Because you are a rare wonder crossing through our lives.” Papa gently tapped his knuckles under Durae’s chin. “So keep your spirits up. We’re not decorating you to be a tiara to be taken. We want you to shine so others can see how special you are.”
“Why doesn’t Mama ever talk like this?” Durae grumbled.
“Perhaps you should listen and be honest with her, and you will hear more pleasant words from her,” Papa replied with a raised eyebrow. “Just this morning alone, I have heard you lie to her, cut her off, and attempt to scandalize her with your escapades.”
Durae wished he’d put on the illusion ring already. His cheeks were heating up. “I should apologize.”
“You should.”
Durae rose from his seat, slid the ring on, and paused. “I am sorry if missing the meeting with your friends hurt you.”
“I only wish you had told me you were out exploring last night. The market season doesn’t rid the continent of criminals. If something terrible had happened, we wouldn’t have known where to look.”
“I didn’t think of that.”
“Another mark that you’re still young.” Papa stood and gently hugged Durae. “Now, if you’re done sulking, get your sister so we can join the rest of our family. We wouldn’t want to be late for the opening ceremony.”
“Yes, Papa.” As Durae crossed over to Uleyri’s door, he resolved that he would do his best to find someone worthy.
If only Blaze were someone his parents would approve of, his hunt would be close to a finish. Maybe they would like him. Maybe there will be someone else at market just as captivating. I doubt it, but I will try. For them. For the family. For me.