Astra wasn’t sure exactly what to make of that information. “She doesn’t seem to have much affection for anyone.”
She winced. “You’re not wrong. What exactly did Ivonne say?”
“She didn’t, we stole some documents and notes from her office. I’ll take you through them tomorrow. Maybe Ameera and I missed something.”
“What does the commander think?”
“He’s suspicious as well but seems to be on Oestera’s side more than not. I think he knows more than he lets on about her and Leona. We’ve compared notes on The Flare, and I have to say, I don’t think we know even the beginnings of the truth.”
She glanced across the courtyard where Lux and Mirquios spoke in low tones.
“Mirquios and I have had similar conversations. I know you and Mother have a very different relationship than we do, but I don’t think she’s the enemy. Selenia, however… something was always off there, don’t you think? The rebels have eyewitness accounts that she was present in Solaris before The Flare.”
She nodded. A group of courtiers edged closer to them as they waited to jump.
You and Luxuros, Lunelle mused in her mind. You two seem to have gotten past your differences.
He’s a stubborn bastard, but I suppose we have. Astra tried not to scream internally for fear Lunelle would hear it. The differences that had developed in her absence were insurmountable.
Lunelle’s eyes fixed on the men. They laughed about something at the edge of the gate with several guards—two brothers reunited. What’s up with how hot he is?
“I wouldn’t say hot,” Astra sputtered aloud. “I’m sure some women would find him to be quite handsome, but with his attitude?—”
Lunelle cut her off with a giggle. “I meant his temperature. It’s insufferable.”
Her heart raced, was Lunelle more sensitive than she’d thought?
“You feel that?”
Her nose scrunched. “Do you not?”
“Remind me to teach you a trick to stop it when we get home.”
“Are you ladies ready?” Mirquios asked, crossing the platform as he offered his hand to Lunelle, who only winked as she let him pull her into the Rift. No hesitation. No fear as she took to his side.
Lux watched them disappear into the mist, his eyes far away. “One last dance, Sol’ah?”
She crossed her arms, ignoring his outstretched hand. “Is that Mercurian for ‘pain in the ass?’”
“Solar Elvish.” He leaned forward, brushing a finger across the bridge of Astra’s nose. “Something like stardust. It’s what they call freckles.”
“You do not fight fair,” she groaned. She didn’t have time to stew, he wrapped one arm around her waist as he pushed them off the platform and into the swirling river.
They tumbled for a second, Lux working to steady them as colored threads tickled her face.
“Find the Lunar thread,” he rumbled against the top of her head. She watched for a silver strand, glinting above her head, and reached for it. Her fingers clasped around the tendril, colder than she’d anticipated, and away they went.
Lux leaned his head down to her—getting closer to her ear, she realized—as other bodies flew by them.
“When you get to the gate, imagine yourself landing upright in your mind like you do when you’re igniting things. It’ll help you stick the landing.”
“Got it,” she said, watching as other gates raced by, gleaming moonstone coming into view ahead. As they came up to the gate, the silver thread faded out of the mist. She did exactly as he said. Her feet collided with moonstone pavers in the palace garden, only faltering for a heartbeat before she steadied them.
She hit her hands against his chest. “See? That would have been a useful instruction the first time. Imagine what I can accomplish with the right information.”
Lux pointed at her feet, his face twisted in irritation. “Where’s the fighting stance I taught you? You’re too loose on your feet. You land like this and anyone waiting at the gate will have you on your ass before you can see straight!”
“Must you always do that?” she growled, pushing away from him with more force than needed.
