THIRTY-EIGHT
Eirabella
“So, let me get this straight,”Mathis says, barely containing his amusement as we walk through the sunset-drenched streets, laughter spilling between us as he leans in, a mischievous grin on his face. “You accidentally challenged Mistress Verisya to a duel?”
I roll my eyes, though I can’t help but laugh. “It wasn’t a challenge; it was a… miscommunication! I wasn’t aware of the… etiquette of certain phrases. And now I know, okay?”
“Oh sure, a miscommunication with swords drawn with Aetherhold’s sternest woman? I’m surprised your head is still attached.” He shakes his head, chuckling. “No wonder you don’t have any friends.”
I gasp, playfully punching his arm. “Excuse me, Captain Corvane, I have plenty of friends, thank you very much! I’m awfully popular with my quick wit and good looks,” I joke, pretending to primp and preen.
He raises an eyebrow, grinning. “Sure, sure. If you say so.”
“Anyway, you can’t talk. Your friends are Rylan and Grellie. Might as well be friends with a mute and a grumpy bullfrog.”
He laughs. “Which one is which?”
I shrug. “Doesn’t even matter!”
“You saying you’re not my friend? Is the captain of the guard not good enough for the future Aquilith?”
I drape my arm around his shoulders and give him a quick hug. “You, Captain Corvane, are too good for me and you know it.”
He squeezes my arm. “I’d be flattered except that I know all about your stroking my ego while you reject me strategy.”
“Mathis, your ego hardly needs stroking.”
“I don’t know, it’s not always easy being the crown prince’s sidekick,” he says in a way that doesn’t sound entirely like a joke.
I frown, surprised at the comment. “Does that actually bother you?”
The smile he gives me is tinged with an emotion I can’t quite place. “No. Until recently, I don’t think there’s anything he has that I wanted.”
“What’s changed?”
He just shrugs and then points toward the left when we come to a fork in the road. “Nothing. I was just being silly.”
My thoughts drift to Janus. “Actually, speaking of friends… I haven’t heard from Janus in a while,” I say, my tone quieter. “I’ve sent him a letter every week, but… nothing. It’s not like him to stay silent. He’d usually write back, at least to give me some peace of mind.” Mathis’s face softens, the humour replaced by genuine concern. He places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I’ll look into it,” he promises, his voice firm but gentle. “Maybe he’s just been busy helping the village rebuild. There did seem like there would’ve been some damage after the fire.”
His words provide some comfort, and I offer him a grateful smile. “Thank you, Mathis.”
We round a corner, and my eyes catch sight of the long winding lines in the town square. Collection Day. I quietly watch for a few moments as people move in coordinated chaos, making their Offerings and then walking directly over to the market, trading their magic-bought coins for groceries. A pang of unease twists in my chest.
Mathis glances at me, noticing my silence. “What’s on your mind?” he asks, voice soft.
“I’m still not okay with it,” I murmur. “And now that I have my magic back, I can’t imagine giving any of it away… or selling it.” I watch a young boy hand over a copper coin in exchange for a colourful sweet treat, his face lighting up in joy.
Mathis follows my gaze. “But would you begrudge them a source of income?”
I hesitate, watching the boy’s unrestrained laughter drift through the air as he skips back to his mother. “I don’t know,” I admit, and tuck the thoughts away for another time when I can mull over my opinions. “I mean, the Offerings must be crucial to the kingdom, and do most of these people need all the magic they have? I don’t have the answers. Which is probably a good thing that I don’t make those decisions. I don’t envy the king or Rylan. Do you?”
Mathis gives me a look that seems saturated in conflict. What must it be like to be the best friend of the heir to the throne, and also have his protection on your shoulders? “I don’t have the knowledge to answer that question. But I know that being a good leader starts with having a good heart. And Rylan has that. As for the king…” his voice tapers off, and something tells me it’s better if I don’t push for an answer.
We wander down along the eastern corridor of the capital where I haven’t been yet, and Mathis takes the time to point out some of his favourite places, taverns and small bookshops withrough hidden corners that could keep me occupied for weeks. In a little trinket shop, I find a charm of the moon. The shopkeeper wraps it in some glitter tissue paper and I slide it into my pocket, excited for when I can next see Rylan and can give it to him. Although he’s been gone all week, when I look out the window and see the moon, I know there’s one thing that binds us. I hope if being separated becomes a frequent thing, he’ll have something to remind him as well.
Finally, Mathis and I head back to Aetherhold.
I slip my arm through his, smiling at his handsome face, lit by the street torches. “Thank you for coming on these walks with me while Rylan’s been gone on assignment. It helps more than you know.”
