She shook her head again, so I continued. “Mihal led a cult—the House of Krevlan. He preached the natural superiority of vampires over humans and treated them horribly. My grandfather wasn’t involved until his acolyte, whom he loved deeply, was kidnapped by Mihal. Asterios led an army into Greford to find her, tearing the city apart. Eventually, Mihal escaped, leaving Asterios and his acolyte the crown. But Asterios set the world ablaze for his love. The front arch of St. Drake’s Cathedral is the only remnant of the original city.”
Estrella paused, gazing up at the cathedral in awe. I marveled at how her eyes sparkled with wonder. “It’s crazy to think someone could love an acolyte that much.”
“I don’t think it’s crazy.”
She looked at me, surprised. Heat flooded my cheeks, and Iquickly backtracked. “Everyone deserves love. That doesn’t change just because you’re part of a corrupt system.”
Estrella nodded. “My sister believed in love. She thought she would find it once she was sold off. I was never so foolish. Back then, I was sure only one thing would happen once we were sold.”
“And what about now?” I asked, a foolish level of hope filling my chest.
She turned back to the cathedral. The jagged remains of the red-stained glass glimmered in the setting sun, and that bloody glow reflected in her eyes. “I’m not sure of anything anymore.”
I couldn’t help but share the sentiment.
We continued through narrow cobblestone streets, stopping at every storefront or attraction that lit up Estrella’s face until we finally turned onto the boardwalk. I had been anticipating this moment, what was sure to be an exquisite reaction. The glittering Mai Sea stretched out before us like a sheet of diamonds. She stopped in her tracks a few steps from the railing.
“What is that?” Her voice was barely a whisper, and if I didn’t have remarkable hearing, I might have missed it over the soft breeze rustling her pastel skirts.
“It’s the Mai Sea—the Sea of Glittering Stars.” I hadn’t realized how perfectly the name fit until I saw its reflection in her gaze.
“It’s… amazing,” she breathed.
Leaning over the railing until her little feet no longer touched the ground, she exclaimed, “Look at how big it is—how big the world is! I bet you’ve traveled all over the world.”
I lost my words for a long moment as I stared back at her, awestruck.I gulped and forced myself to focus. “Not everywhere, but I have traveled. My father would take me with him to meet other Houses.”
“I’ve only seen the sea on maps. It’s so beautiful.”
“You’d like my general of commerce then. Catina spends all day on ships, mostly up in Molvon.”
She looked over at me, a smile plastering her face. “I would love to see a ship one day. Maybe we could sail together.”
My face warmed, and I struggled to control my excitement at the thought that she might want to be around me as much as I wanted to be around her. A foolish, lovesick thought. “Let’s go. We don’t want to miss the sunset from the best view in the city.”
Estrella took my hand but kept her gaze on the sea, just how I wanted it. Her basking in her new freedom filled some part of me I hadn’t known was empty. I tore my eyes from her and let my feet lead the way. This was one of my favorite spots in the city; the view was even worth the constant barrage of thoughts.
The building’s façade was whitewashed stone, adorned with large planters overflowing with flowers. It reminded me of the Koraki Island, which might’ve been why I loved it so much, though I’d only visited a few times. A waiter led us up a spiraling staircase to an open rooftop. Jasmine vines wrapped around the railing, filling the air with a sweet floral scent that blended beautifully with Estrella’s.
She looked like she belonged here. She sat in a white iron chair, surrounded by fragrant vines and framed by the magnificent ocean. Even her dress seemed to belong—the soft oranges and pinks mirrored the sun as it dipped beyond the horizon.
I knew I didn’t belong. Monsters like me weren’t meant to enjoy dazzling sunsets and pretty flowers. Yet I found myself basking in her light. Even my wisps of power recoiled, fearful of darkening her shine.
Food was ordered and served. They brought me a deep, tulip-shaped glass filled nearly to the brim. It was freshly bottled, mixed with a hint of sea salt that deepened the coppery taste. My mouth watered, easing the reservations I always felt before my first sip.
Dusk settled over the city as we strolled out of the restaurant. Estrella skipped to the railing, leaning over it once more, her gaze locked on the sea below.
“I wish we could get down there,” she sighed.
I stepped to her side. “Do you want to?”
She turned to me, her hair cascading over her shoulder. Gods I wanted to run my hand through it. “We can do that?”
“We can do whatever we want.”
“That’s amazing.”
I laughed, straddling the iron railing and beckoning her over. “Come on.”
