[SS]: “We are two thousands words over our milestone—

“Yip!”

Korac is pulling me from the chair and onto his lap at the edge of the bed.

I like how that reads. One of these milestones, I want you to write everything I do to you.

[SS]: It’s almost too ridiculous. I can’t even—I’m giggling from embarrassment. “Why?”

Because I’m giving these people the story of my life, and I want to share something beautiful with them.

[SS]: We took our milestone break after that. Stretched our legs. Checked on everyone in the house. Grabbed snacks. Took a hot fucking shower. Elden, I’m stiff from sitting here for two days, but that’s okay. The next break isn’t far off. I can’t wait to hear what you think of it when we’re done, Rayne. I can tell that Korac is dying to know, too. XOXO.

What do you remember of the coronation scene in Nox’s Verse?

[SS]: “Remorse caught him alone and forced him to kiss his feet.”

There’s that. Anything else?

[SS]: Of course, I know what he means. The very thought of it made me blush.

Korac’s smirking at me.

I knew it.

Yes. It was quite a memorable night.

“Someone mind rescuing me from her?”

I almost laughed in King Nox’s face. I knew who he meant. Across the way, Colita scoured the crowd like a Nox-seeking missile. The instant she laid eyes on the man, she prowled through the well-dressed warriors and pirates. A woman on a mission. Or a hunt.

Xelan shook his head in disdain. “Why do you lead her on?”

I tried not to roll my eyes at my Prince. He was young and thought very little of Nox. Of course, he wouldn’t see that woman for the viper she was.

For this performance, I exaggerated the elegance in my voice. “I will perform my sacred duty, for which I am sworn. To protect my King from harm and any unwanted attentions from aggressive admirers.” I bowed deeply to Nox. And I looked good doing it.

A silver full-length tunic covered my white silk undershirt and matching pants. Silver ornaments adorned the braids dispersed throughout my hair. Secretly, I’d tied ribbons on my biceps like bridal dress. Midnight blue. I had lofty aspirations for Xelan and me to celebrate my promotion.

[SS]: Korac’s quirking a brow at my snickering, but I can’t stop myself.

Yes, the night held promise, but in this moment, I served my King.

Nox almost snorted. “Your commitment to the crown will earn you a medal for your sacrifice tonight.” He glanced almost too swiftly between Xelan and I for me to notice. But I did. I just didn’t make the connection that he knew of our relationship all those years ago.

Nox can never know.

Very well, your highness. I am your secret.

It was getting old. Like that night, for instance, I would give anything to dance with Xelan. For us to twirl among the other Icari, gliding with their open wings. Embraced in his, we could keep the world away until we were ready.

Instead, I intercepted Colita. “Good evening. Care for a dance?” I didn’t bow to her, as she was well beneath my station and my consideration.

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Her viridian dress complimented her sky-blue eyes and emphasized the blue blood vessels beneath her skin. The gown’s neckline exposed much of it to tantalize my King, but revolted me. She even swept her spiral curls to one side, engraving an invitation to her jugular.

How uninteresting.

Colita dipped one knee as a fitting tribute to my station. More than I expected of her. Gracefully, she held her hand out to me. “I would be honored, General Korac.”

I accepted and placed her hand on my chest. We danced. Decently, too. Someone gave her lessons.

“Congratulations on your promotion, sir.” Because of her pleasant demeanor, I let her lower her face to my chest as we glided across the floor. “Can you believe how far King Nox’s generosity brought us? How far it will bring us? We could have Earth, if we wanted. You and I.”

Dangerous course of thinking. “The throne belongs to one Icarus, and he leads us well.”

Colita brushed her cheek against me with her nod. “So true. But with the Prince’s absence, our King could benefit from our council—”

“Gone? The Prince is standing at his side at this very moment. You design some unrealistic fantasies, Colita.”

She straightened to meet my gaze with a sinister sparkle in hers. “Forgive me. I thought given how close you are with our Prince, that you knew of his plans to live separately even on Earth. He wants nothing to do with his brother. Their relationship is contaminated.”

Viper.

I couldn’t trust a word out of her venomous mouth. She was clearly envious of my occasion for happiness and wanted to stir trouble.

It was working.

A nasty smile contorted her lips. Before I could backhand it off of her pretty face, someone tapped my shoulder.

Furious, I whirled—

Into Xelan’s smiling face. “Do you mind?”

I think my face flushed I was so angry at the thought of him dancing with her. But I stepped aside. No need to ruin a good night. I’d watch Colita and Xelan dance for Nox’s sake.

Bitch looked so smug when Xelan bowed to her. Then her face fell completely when Xelan turned to me. Her eyes bulged when my Prince placed one hand on my waist and the other on my shoulder.

I stiffened, unsure. This was all the contact he’d forbidden. But maybe—Was this it? Had he finally decided to stop hiding us?

“Xelan—”

He opened his wings, swiping Colita’s face hard enough to black an eye. “Oh, forgive me, dear. I thought you stepped out of the way.”

I fucking laughed at the anger bleeding into her eyes. She stormed off, hopefully to ruin someone else’s night. I couldn’t help but notice Nox smirking at her exit—at us—Before he disappeared into the Spire.

That’s all I saw because Xelan closed his wings around us for the dance.

“I dreamt of this,” I admitted.

Xelan grinned that perfect, fantastic smile. “Me, too.” The wattage faded on the expression. “I hate depriving us of our dreams. If not for Nox…”

I almost rolled my eyes at him for the second time that night. But no. I wouldn’t be the one to break this moment. I pressed my forehead to his as we spun. “If we keep our eyes closed, we never have to wake from this.”

We danced for countless songs with our eyes closed. Xelan hid us all the while in his wings. It was intimate and beautiful. But tragic and sad.

It was more than expected to celebrate the night, and I was—am—grateful for what it cost him.

So it didn’t surprise me when he excused himself for an errand. “I have something I must do to prepare before the migration to the new castle.”

I knew it. Xelan was planning a heist.

I smirked at him while we bowed. “See you soon, my Prince.”

Half an hour later, I stealthily scouted locations of interest throughout the Spire. It was outside the library that I heard the rummaging of books.

Of course.

“Thievery, your highness?”

Xelan froze mid-reach. “Will you tell on me to Nox?”

I stepped further into the library. The door closed behind me. “Will you give me incentive not to?”

Xelan sagged with relief. “Korac, I—”

The Prince turned to find I’d stripped to my white silk undershirt and matching pants, but what caught Xelan’s breath was the midnight blue ribbon tied around my biceps.

He gaped. Open-mouthed. Eyes wide.

That same scent, the leather and honey—It brought a smirk to my lips. “It does make a statement, does it not?”

“That is… Not. Fair.” The Prince shook his head incredulously, but I could see him relent. Giving in.

To me.

I’ll leave the telling of your first sexual encounter to you, Xelan. Write it in your Verse. With her poised on the edge of her seat, I warn you, Prince of Cinder, that our Seamswalker will accept nothing less than a detailed account.

Since I love to tease her, I’ll mention that sleh oil is versatile and good for more than a hair treatment. Without it, the Prince wouldn’t withstand sitting the next morning. I meant it when I told Nox I enjoyed my evening thoroughly.

[SS]: I’m speechless. Gaping like a goldfish. Except he’s right, Wingmaster. I wanna know all the nitty-gritty. Including where I can find some of that sleh oil.

“Did either of you know about… you know?”

I almost died, mortified that my King saw us in the library. That he knew why my spirits were high enough the next morning for me to whistle a tune. That all this time Xelan told me to hide it from everyone—especially Nox—that the older brother knew all along. Saw it with his own eyes.

And approved with something akin to love—if not outright. He was happy for us.

You see, amos, the reason I love the way you look at me—because you have this wondrous way of doing it with your eyes bright and shining and your lips curved in a sweet smile—is because you do it so unabashedly. You don’t care who sees it. I love the way you look at me with desire and adoration naked on your face.

That’s the look. Amos, it’s not time yet for my next reward.

[SS]: Be back after a brief intermission.