Lux stood against the sandy wall of the Mercurian palace behind her. He’d brought Astra to a tower that overlooked the city so she could marvel at the early morning light until they had to go.
She stood against the balcony rail, the city shaking to life below, dozens of people strolling along the golden streets in a soothing array of pastels.
“I never thought I’d say this, but your silence is insufferable.”
She spoke without turning, afraid to peel her eyes from the life below, like it might be a mirage that disappeared if she looked away.
“Have you changed your mind about anything? Now that you aren’t betraying your king?”
He swallowed. “I have not.”
“Then what is there to say, Commander?”
He stepped forward and then thought better of it. The Tether in her chest spun with the back and forth. Another breath and he fell forward again, hovering behind her as she leaned over the railing. She followed a little girl skipping along the street, a gauzy pink scarf wrapped around her hair floating in the gentle breeze.
“I’ll be fine,” she sighed as pity filled his eyes. “I’ll forge ahead with my plans, either in Celene or Lunaria. Perhaps the Martian Prince has an opening.”
Lux scoffed. “Governess seems like a step back, no?”
Astra glared. “I’d rather that than be stuck watching the rebellion from afar.”
“With Lunelle in place on the throne, I imagine the Lunar Court will have a much different role now. They’ll need you.”
Two thrones flashed in her mind, sending a chill down her spine. She glanced at him, the fear she’d ignored for weeks now returning to her chest.
“If she makes it.”
“What do you mean?”
She turned to him, leaning her back over the balcony rail, the metal pushing against her spine a sharp distraction from the pain in her chest. His eyes searched hers.
“I had a vision,” she whispered. “I was in a throne room, wearing her coronation gown… it felt ominous. Like a prophecy.”
“Show me.”
Her nose scrunched. “What?”
“Earlier, when we… when we were touching, you were able to see my memory, yes?”
She nodded.
“Try it the other way.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’ll have to open up those iron gates,” she sighed.
“Don’t pry,” Lux smirked, moving closer. The flood of feelings was as overwhelming as it was that morning.
“Fuck,” she gasped at the weight of it all.
“Sorry.” He rearranged boxes on shelves, making just enough room for her. Astra closed her eyes, conjuring up the vision as she’d seen it all those weeks ago, trying to place it in his mind.
“Do you see it?”
“No.” He squinted as if his eyesight prohibited him from seeing into her mind. His hand reached for hers, resting it on his face. Her fingers scraped along the harsh line of his jaw and his muscles flexed beneath her touch.
“There,” he said.
Astra stepped forward in the room, the glow of the Sun and Moon washing her in golden waves and silver swirls as she approached the throne on the right. She let him feel the call of it, the siren song that pulled her in and made her want to fall further into herself.
