Jack had failed to get answers from Luca on the third night of their travels, but he wasn’t one to give up easily.

He had woken up the next day, refreshed and more hopeful, ready to try again.

And again.

And again and again and again for the rest of their week-long journey from the Ember Glass forests to the Devalokan capital, Teja.

Every time he had asked his incessant questions, Luca had given him the same response, growing more and more exasperated by the day.

Stop harassing me! she even snapped at one point, now so anxious, she couldn’t even eat her dinner. At night she was haunted by her guilt. During the day she was pestered by Jack. It was all becoming too much for her to handle.

Jack, though oblivious at first, began noticing Luca’s unease after a few days. He ceased his pestering immediately, resigning to silence as he wondered what was on her mind. What was weighing her down? Why wouldn’t she speak?

Frustration teased Jack’s irritation, but he quelled it quickly. Luca had enough people angry with her already. She didn’t need one more.

So, Jack decided to take his friend’s mind off of her troubles instead of continuing to pester her. Maybe flattery would finally help her open up.

“You must be so tired from your last mission. I don’t know how you’re still functioning,” he told her as they entered the inner ring of Devaloka’s capital city.

I didn’t have a choice, did I? It was either come on this mission or die, Luca signed back, rolling her eyes as they passed a series of beautiful adobe buildings decorated with the colors of that evening’s sunset. She pulled her friend to one side as a horse-drawn cart thundered past them. The cobbled streets were wide and gave enough room for the heavy foot traffic, but passersby still had to be wary of vehicles making their way through.

Still, Jack continued, giving her a grateful look for saving him from his obliviousness, I admire your tenacity.

Luca tilted her head, surprised by Jack’s earnestness. How he was still not angry with her after all that had transpired was beyond her comprehension. Perhaps she and Saara had been too cautious in keeping things from him. Perhaps he would understand the truth after all. Perhaps she would have told him everything if not for her promise.

Thank you, Luca simply replied as they continued forward, passing by a series of beautiful murals painted onto the walls. Some depicted scenes of famous Devalokan epics— the adventures of great heroes, the rise of the gods, the age of divine human kings. Others showed real history, including depictions of soldiers dressed in saffron pants and glinting silver armor carrying spears and maces into battle against their barbarian enemies.

“That looks…interesting,” Jack commented, nodding to a defaced mosaic of the Crown Princess on one of the walls that showed scenes from recent history.

Luca looked in the direction he was pointing to see that the colored tiles forming Princess Raina’s radiant face had been chipped away at the edges, some even painted over with lewd words and threats.

Not my Crown Princess! one phrase said.

Women belong in bed not on a throne, another one crowed.

Death to the princess! Long live the King! said another.

Luca grimaced. There’s a small faction of Devalokans who are opposed to having a Crown Princess rather than a prince. When King Mohan announced that his sole heir, Princess Raina, would ascend the throne after his death, they were furious that a woman would rule over them one day. The group is mostly harmless. Well, apart from the empty threats that they display all over the city.

“Oh. I see,” Jack murmured as they walked past vendors and their stalls. He hadn’t realized that there would be Devalokans opposed to a queen rather than a king when two out of the four main kingdoms were already ruled by women— and even the Kingdom of Merr was overseen by a queen regent at the moment due to the untimely death of the late King. Perhaps there were more orthodox people than he had expected. He sincerely hoped nothing fruitful would come of their anger and frustrations.

Though Luca had Jack’s same concerns when she had first come to Devaloka for a mission, she had grown used to seeing such threats graffitied all over the city. In all the years she had been in the city, nothing had ever come of them. Besides, the red-haired Mage’s thoughts were more occupied by memories of Saara than worries about social unrest. The more she saw of the city, the more she remembered her time with her friend here and the more guilt churned her stomach. She wondered what Saara was doing now.

If she was even alive.

“Do you smell that?” Jack asked, noticing the pensive expression on his friend’s face. She clearly needed a distraction, and Jack was willing to provide it. He could only imagine how she felt returning to the place that she had last seen Saara. Even if she claimed that she had left her friend behind on purpose.

Yeah, I smell it, Luca nodded. It was impossible to miss the fragrance of spices in the air— the turmeric, the peppercorn, the nutmeg.

“It’s so much nicer here than in Haan,” Jack commented, grinning from ear to ear as he watched a snake charmer playing his pipes. “You’re lucky that the Sorcerers sent you here for missions instead of the Empire of the Golden Dragon.”

Yeah, so lucky.

Jack stopped for a moment, realizing his mistake. “Sorry, Luca. That’s not what I meant—”

No, no, it’s okay, Luca quickly interrupted. I put myself in this position because of my decisions, so you have nothing to be sorry for. Teja is a beautiful city to visit. Though Jack’s words had stung her momentarily, Luca knew he had meant no harm. She didn’t want him to feel bad for what he had said.

What’s it like in Haan? she asked, eager to move on with the conversation.

Jack gave her an unconvinced look. He knew that his words had pierced something inside of his friend, but he would humor her if she didn’t want to talk. After all, wasn’t that what he was supposed to be doing? Not pushing? Keeping things light?

“Lots of open sewers, starving children, and soot,” he answered. “The buildings are more haphazardly stacked on top of one another than they are here, and there aren’t any pretty murals on the walls telling the history of the city either.”

Sounds miserable, Luca griped.

“Yep.”

The two friends continued onward, eyeing the fruit sellers, street dancers, and ensembles of priestly singers. They reveled in the beautiful teals, purples, pinks, and golds of the city, a much welcome colorful sight after being surrounded by endless greens and brown from their trek through forests in the past week.

After what felt like hours of aimless wandering, Jack’s stomach chose to growl loudly, alerting him to the fact that he was in much need of good food after their measly survival meals. He smiled sheepishly.

“Sorry.”

Luca raised an eyebrow, her eyes glittering with amusement. She still couldn’t manage a smile with everything on her mind, but that didn’t mean she had no humor left in her body.

If you’re hungry, I know a place. It’s almost evening anyway, she told him.

Well, you know me. I’ll never say no to food, Jack replied, pointing ahead. Lead the way.

As Luca slipped and slithered throughout the dense marketplace, Jack struggled to keep up. The sheer number of bodies surrounding him created a maze too tight for him to fit through.

“Wait, Luca! You’re moving too fast for me! Just because you’re shorter doesn’t mean I can squeeze into the same places you can!” he called after her.

Luca stopped abruptly upon hearing his words— too abruptly. Jack slammed into her, tackling them both to the ground as she elbowed him in the side.

“Skies, Luca, did you have to do that?” he cried, his face contorting in agony as he rolled off of her body.

Luca brushed herself off, offering her own hand to pull Jack up to his feet.

No. But I wanted to. Giant.

“You’re a menace,” Jack chuckled through the pain.

That’s what you get for calling me short, Luca replied, her lips twitching with a hint of a smile.

Here they were, teasing each other, just like old times. Luca couldn’t help but feel a deep longing for those carefree, mirthful times before their missions had become so serious, so dire. But, she also knew there was no use dwelling on the past for rumination only led to hopelessness.

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She turned back to Jack who was busy picking up his fallen pack and tapped his shoulder, pointing to the building before them. He followed her gaze to a sign hanging from a set of awnings.

“The Turmeric Tavern,” he read aloud. “What kind of name is that?”

A fun one, Luca shrugged. Come on, let’s get ourselves some food.

Jack followed closely behind her as she pushed open the wooden door and entered the tavern. He could hear the muffled sounds of music and laughter from behind the maroon silk curtains separating the dimly lit waiting room from the main tavern. He wondered if there was some kind of celebration tonight.

“How can I help you?” a full-figured woman wearing a beautiful pink lehenga asked, suddenly appearing at the small counter that had been empty seconds ago. She eyed the two new entrants suspiciously.

We’ve come for Hasan’s special sparkling wine, Luca wrote on the parchment at the counter with a knowing twinkle in her eye. Jack raised an eyebrow, wondering what she could possibly mean. As far as he knew, neither of them drank any form of alcohol.

The woman smiled knowingly. “Welcome back, Luca. Is that your friend over there?”

Luca nodded, slipping a hand through the silk curtains.

“Well then, I hope you two enjoy the festivities tonight. It is the first night of the Moon Harvest after all,” the woman said, waving the two Mages ahead.

Of course! Jack realized. That was why he had heard the sounds of celebration from behind the curtain. The Moon Harvest was a sacred three day festival celebrated by Devalokans to honor Themitra, the goddess of the harvest. The first day was celebrated by a revelry late into the night filled with dancing and singing in praise of the goddess to thank her for a bountiful season. From the sound of it, this must have been that first night.

Luca slipped through the silk, dragging her friend by his hand.

“Whoa,” Jack breathed as he stepped through.

The enormous ground level of the tavern had been transformed into a dance floor on which men and women clapped, sang and twirled, their red, gold, and green dresses swishing and clashing like waves in a sea of ecstasy. Their powerful voices and rhythmic movements harmonized alongside the beat of the drums, the strums of the lutes, and melody of the pipes. Their faces glowed with happiness in the heavenly light of the lamps lining the walls.

But of all these sights, one thing captured Jack’s eye most.

Every single person in the room—young and old, tall and short, Devalokan and non-Devalokan—was a Mage.

In one corner, older Elementalists impressed children with dazzling displays of fireworks and showers of sparkling snow. Teenage Shape-Shifters transformed from one person to another, fooling their elders while they sniggered amongst themselves. In another corner, female Seers told fortunes to anxious lovers while a few Time-Bender children played jokes on their younger siblings, slowing down their feet or hands mid-dance and toppling them over face first.

Jack had never seen something so beautiful.

He turned to Luca questioningly. How is this possible? How can so many Mages be gathered in one place? Won’t they be caught by the royal soldiers?

Luca shook her head. No. This place is a Mages-only tavern, a safe-haven of sorts. It’s why I brought us here for food and shelter and why I had to answer Karina, the lady in the waiting room, with a special passcode. Besides, even if Karina didn’t guard the tavern, it’s not like the Devalokan soldiers are actively hunting down Mages like in Golden Dragon or Ember Glass. If a Mage makes their Magical abilities blatantly obvious to the authorities, of course they will be arrested since Magic is illegal, but of all the kingdoms in Primera, Devaloka is probably the safest for Mages.

Luca paused, biting her lips anxiously. Well, unless they’re trapped in the candium prisons.

Jack gave her a tender look, knowing that she was thinking of Saara. He gave her shoulder a squeeze. We’ll find her.

Luca nodded, trying to move on, though her conscience was only weighed down more with every second. She was so close to Saara…yet so far.

“This place is beautiful,” Jack said, eyeing the sparkling diyas and carefree children. He had never seen happy Mage children before, other than back home in the Outcast village. His heart bloomed with joy. He wished that more children would have this.

He turned to Luca, tapping on her shoulder, but the red-haired Mage was too distracted searching for a table of refreshments. She couldn’t see any from her position, and was starting to wish she had chosen a different place. The Turmeric Tavern was too crowded and too loud for her liking at the moment, and she felt completely out of place in her short-sleeved tunic, loose-fitted traveling pants, and trekking gear.

Actually, you know what? she signed, turning to Jack. I think we should go somewhere else for food. It’s too crowded here right now.

Jack gave her an incredulous look. All thoughts of food had already disappeared from his mind. He was far too enamored by the beautiful sight of Mages dancing and cheering in celebration, and he wasn’t ready to leave it so soon.

Are you kidding? he said, as he set his pack to the side. He grinned wide at Luca, grabbing her hand. Forget about food for now. We’re not going anywhere.

Before Luca could protest, she found herself in the middle of a dancing ring. On either side of her, men and women clapped their hands and chanted. She panicked, tripping over the woman in front of her. The lady turned around and gave her a nasty look before lifting her skirt and twirling away again.

Sorry, she signed, though she doubted the woman even saw (or understood if she had.)

Luca’s eyes roved the crowd, furiously searching for Jack. Where was that idiot? She was so going to kill him for abandoning her like this!

Forced to go along with the crowd lest she be trampled, Luca clapped and spun, too, her eyes still searching for Jack. At first, she clumsily tripped over her own feet and fell behind the beat, her hands balled up in clenched fists every time she released them from a clap. She felt embarrassed by her muddy shirt and trousers, so different from the beautiful lehengas and kurtas of the men and women around her. Soon, however, the tension in her shoulders eased. The music melded with her mind, her feet moved on their own, and she felt light.

She was flying.

The Mage closed her eyes, feeling the energy of the people around her, their enthusiastic fervor magnetizing her every movement. Thoughts of Saara, the Blood Pearls, and the Stone of Flame left her mind as she danced and danced. She felt at once electrified and at peace.

“Enjoying?” a warm voice tickled her ear.

Luca’s icy eyes flashed open as she twisted her neck towards Jack’s face. His chocolate eyes laughed at her bewilderment.

I suppose, she sniffed, refusing to let Jack see her contentment. Jack said nothing, gently clasping her hand as he spun around her.

What are you doing? Luca asked, pulling her hand away quickly. Her eyes widened in panic once again. This wasn’t part of the dance!

“Improvising,” he said as he reeled her in again. He clapped once to her left, once to her right, before spinning her again.

Improvising? she replied when he released her hand to spin around her. Skies, she was starting to feel dizzy…

“Improvising.” Jack grabbed her hand again, pulling her into the inner circle of dancers now. Luca’s eyes widened with bewilderment as the flurry of bodies wrapped around her. Oh no, oh no, oh no…what was she going to do? Panic gripped her frozen arms and feet as she signed wildly, nearly pitching forward over a man’s shoes.

Jack!

“Luca, let loose! You think too much,” Jack chuckled lightly in her ear, suddenly finding himself behind her as they spun around each other.

Luca scowled like she was about to protest, but much to Jack’s surprise, she listened to his advice. The red-haired Mage lowered her eyes, hearing the music carefully. The band was playing a much jauntier tune now, one made for jumping about.

So that’s what Luca did.

She jumped forward to the center of the circle, along with the others, then jumped back, clapping. Jack grinned wide, following her lead. Luca smiled softly to herself. Maybe she could do this. It wasn’t so different from fighting maneuvers, right?

She spun around, then, before jumping to the center and clapping again.

“There you go! You’re getting it now!” Jack laughed beside her, playfully shoving her shoulder.

Luca blushed, embarrassed. She wasn’t used to being complimented for anything other than her fighting skills and strategy.

Thank you, she smiled.

Like this, the two Mages danced for some time. Jack even joined the crowd in their singing while Luca twirled around him wildly.

Spin, clap, jump.

Luca beamed.

Spin, clap, jump.

Jack hooted with joy.

Spin, spin, clap.

The crowd roared with merry cheer.

Spin, spin, spin, spin…

The claps became louder, the beat became faster, the crowd became rowdier as the rainbow of dresses merged into one giant blur around Luca and Jack. They held onto one other’s hands, spinning, spinning, spinning, all thoughts of deadly missions and Magic gone from their minds. They locked eyes mid-spin, faces alight with wonder.

Are you having fun? Luca asked.

Am I? Jack said, spinning her faster and faster.

Are you? Luca signed again, knowing the answer this time as she melted into the music and her friend’s guiding hands.

I—

“STOP!”

A collective hush fell upon the tavern’s inhabitants as they whirled toward the source of the sound. Shape-Shifters reverted to their original forms, Elementalists squelched the flames in their palms, and Seers shut their mouths mid-fortune. They cowered in fear and worry as the once joyful atmosphere of the room was replaced with a hushed anxiety.

Their secret reverie had been halted by an enemy force— Devalokan soldiers.

Soldiers who now stood at the entrance to the tavern, spears in hand and eyes blazing with bubbling hatred.

Jack and Luca breathed heavily as they tried to understand what had happened, but it was difficult to focus with their minds clouded by adrenaline.

“There has been an attempt on Crown Princess Raina’s life!” the head of the guards shouted through the confusion. “King Mohan suspects that it was one of your kind and has ordered that all Mages in the city be found, questioned, and arrested!”

Luca and Jack looked to one another, bewildered as anguished wails and terrified screams shook the air.

Their wonderful evening had come to an end.