Nor had sworn to find him the moment her mother sent her that final message from the skies—and with it, a mental image of the young man her brother would someday be, living on a distant, glorious planet. Arcardius.

Valen Cortas was his name.

“What I think,” Zahn said, “is that you can do whatever you set your mind to. You’ve proved that to me a thousand times, Princess.”

“Not a princess for much longer,” Nor reminded him.

She wanted to be queen, so desperately. But tonight, of all nights, the very thought made Nor’s insides turn. She had to be the best Xen Ptera had ever seen. She had to make sure that in everything she did, she succeeded. Defied all the odds.

Deep breaths, Nor told herself. In, out and back again.

“So about that handsome guard,” Zahn said, clearing his throat. “Is there a position open?”

Nor actually burst out laughing.

“It’s not a joke,” he said, though he did so with a smile. He nudged her with his shoulder. “I’m serious, Nor.”

She lifted a brow. “Do you have any handsome guards in mind? As far as I know, there aren’t many around.”

For this entire building, for all of its attendants and workers and brilliant minds, lacked the vibrancy of youth and beauty. And even though Nor knew from the start that she was never meant to have a normal childhood, it was still nice to sit beside Zahn in this tower, hiding away from Darai’s lessons and frowns, talking about simpler things.

Zahn’s smile widened. Nor realized he was leaning in closer, that the space between them was smaller than it had ever been before.

“Well, I was thinking...me,” Zahn murmured.

In that moment, Nor realized her heartbeat was too loud. That he could probably hear it slamming against her chest from the inside.

“I guess...” Nor trailed off as she leaned in closer, too. “I guess I could find room for you as one of my guards.”

“So you agree?” Zahn asked. She could feel his breath on her cheeks. Her lips. “You think I’m handsome?”

A gentle laugh escaped Nor.

Yes, she thought. Yes, she did think he was handsome. In this moment, he was the most beautiful person she’d ever seen, and he was looking back at her like his thoughts mirrored her own.

She didn’t forget about the coronation. She didn’t forget about the screaming of the wind beyond the tower, or the desperation of her starving people, or the lifelong mission laid out before her.

But for just a moment, as Nor leaned in and bridged the gap between her lips and Zahn’s, as she felt the warmth of him, the realness of it all as he wrapped her in his arms...

Her worries got a little bit lighter.