Elurra hadn’t heard another person’s voice since her capture, and she was desperate for anything other than her own thoughts, insects, and the wind. Her captor’s rhythmic footsteps eventually lulled her to sleep, and she discovered herself in Lur Alava again. Nitiri approached with purposeful steps, looking nothing like the dejected girl from her last dream. When she reached the corner, she stopped and pulled back her hood.

“Cade?”

He emerged from the darkness like a shadow with a wide smile.

“Right here, Yasmine.”

She bounced on the balls of her feet. “Where are we going tonight? A bar? A story room? A party? Will there be music?”

“I have something special planned tonight. I think we should visit a magic gathering, if you’re willing.”

Her excitement subsided, and she looked leery.

“That sounds a bit dangerous, and I have no magic. Will that cause any problems? What if we get caught?” she asked softly.

Cade shook his head.

“You don’t need magic to attend. It’s safe, I promise. Do you trust me?” he asked as he stretched a hand toward her.

Nitiri grasped it without any reservations.

“You always promise me adventure, and you have never led me astray.”

His eyes gleamed, and he released her hand.

“You seem to enjoy these little midnight excursions of ours.”

“These times away from my role at the castle are the only times I can be myself.”

Cade jumped on the opening. “What is your position at the castle?”

“It does not matter who I am in the day; it only matters who I am here with you.”

He sighed heavily.

“We’ve known each other for almost two months. Why won’t you tell me about your position?”

Elurra suddenly realized their conversation reminded her of her early interactions with Terrin. Nitiri was going by a false name to hide her identity and refused to tell Cade anything about herself in addition to hiding her position. The comparison made her stumble with surprise. Discovering she shared anything with her aunt was a complete shock.

“You have your secrets too, Cade. What causes you to wander at night? What are you running from?” she countered.

“Sometimes my home isn’t safe for me at night.”

“Less safe than roaming through the seediest sectors of the city?”

After a few moments of silence, Cade changed the topic.

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“From the way you talk, you obviously work closely with the nobility or even the royal family.”

“Very observant.”

“What if I guess? Will you at least tell me if I am right or wrong?”

“You are very persistent,” she conceded.

“Is that a yes or a no?”

“Give it your best shot,” she relented.

He proceeded to start listing positions, starting with servants and moving to nobility. By the time they reached their destination, he’d started listing daughters of the noble families. Nitiri didn’t give him a positive or negative answer to any of his guesses.

He stopped in the middle of one of the alleys and turned to Nitiri with a good-natured grin. “I give up, but on the bright side, we have arrived.”

There were no doors or other entrances anywhere in sight.

“We are going to hang out in the middle of a dirty alley?”

He grinned.

“You’re about to enter a different world. You ready?”

Cade’s air of excitement was contagious. Even Elurra felt drawn in.

He turned around and breathed, “Ŗevlik vehül con nobi.”[i]

A section of the brick wall fizzled out of existence. Nitiri gasped, and Elurra’s lips twitched up in amusement. Cade reacted in a similar manner as he watched Nitiri’s face transform with wonder.

“Come along, my lady.”

The dark hallway wasn’t long, and it opened into a bright room full of people. As soon as Cade and Nitiri entered, a chorus of greetings echoed around the cozy space. Elurra took in the worn couches and wooden chairs with disinterest, but the strange network of metal spheres and thin wires across the ceiling caught her eye. A young man with light brown hair and an angular face stood to meet them.

“Cade! We didn’t expect you this evening, and with a guest no less. Mind introducing me?”

“Blinn! This is Yasmine, and she’s interested in our cause.”

Blinn took Nitiri’s hand and kissed it.

“All my friends call me Crackle, and any friend of Cade’s is a friend of mine, especially one as beautiful as you.”

Nitiri flushed.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

Elurra watched the exchange with interest. Nitiri looked ravishing. Her rosy cheeks set off her reddish hair, and her hazel eyes gleamed.

I have never seen my aunt smile, aside from that demented, grotesque grin she gets when her revenge goes according to plan. What happened to her? How was my father involved? How did she get banished from the kingdom? Elurra wondered as she watched the scene unfold.

Blinn cocked his head to the side and studied Nitiri carefully.

“You look familiar. Have we met before?”

“I do not believe so. I do not venture out much.”

Elurra couldn’t help but notice the hint of panic in Nitiri’s eyes. She was the princess of Lur Alava. It was possible he’d seen her during a festival or celebration, although it would’ve been from a great distance and she would have been wearing her royal attire.

“Do you live in the castle?”

Nitiri started.

“Yes, I-I do,” she stuttered.

“Crackle works in the stables,” Cade supplied.

Nitiri glanced at him sharply, and her temper flared. She quickly recovered and smiled warmly at Crackle.

“I guess you may have seen me there, but enough about that stifling place. Cade promised me magic tonight.”

“And magic you shall have,” Crackle said with a secretive grin. “Fellows, let’s show the lady a good time. Time for a demonstration!” He nodded to the others in the room, and they blew out the lamps.

Elurra heard Cade mutter, “I love this part.”

“Sh'rat bok rantak.”[ii]

Bolts of blue electricity jumped from Blinn’s hands to a metal pole he’d apparently grabbed after the room went dark. He held it up and touched the network of spheres and wires above. With a crackle, the room lit like a candle. The entire ceiling turned into a web of dancing light. Elurra felt her hair stand on end and glanced over to see Nitiri’s eyes glowing with awe. After a few more seconds, Blinn issued another command, and the sparks vanished. The darkness encompassed them again.

“What did you think?”

“Incredible,” Nitiri breathed, wonder still evident in her voice.

“It is, and that’s only the beginning. There’s so much that can be done with magic. It’s not evil like the king preaches. It’s breathtaking and can be used to protect and inspire.”

The candles were relit, but Nitiri’s eyes were glued to Cade’s face.

“I want to see more,” she told him decisively.

Cade grinned. “I can do better. I can give you magic of your own.”