“Sethran’s making a break!” Vera shouts, and my gaze snaps forward.

The competitors go into the final stretch, sure enough. Feathers explode in the air as their wings collide, but neither slows …

Ox lets out a final roar, but with a flash of magic, warrior Sethran takes his human form early and falls faster. He grabs the flag, then transforms instantly and soars skyward once more. The others fall in a flurry of feathers and flashes of magic, then recover and fly off to the side. Triumphant horns sound, warm and rousing.

“Woo!” I shout as the city erupts into cheers. Seth wins, and Ox got second! It won’t win Ox the iconic cuff, but I’m glad it went to Seth. He and my sister have been together for over ten years, having fallen for each other during their second year of training. At this point, I consider him an older brother.

“Come on,” Vera says, leaning close so I can hear her over the din, “let’s go walk around! We can find Ox after they wrap up the winner’s ceremony.”

The sound of Ox’s name makes my stomach flip. I nod. “Yeah, let’s go.”

Vera and I leave the pavilion and head toward the marketplace. Around us, children huddle in groups, playing with the new toys they received this morning, per High Summer tradition. Dancers in dresses the color of sunsets walk in twos and threes, giggling and flirting with the warriors. Colorful tents of vendors sell hand-carved goods, sparkling jewelry, and every manner of beautiful new garments.

“The silversmith’s got a long line, as usual,” Vera says, frowning at a growing crowd ahead of us. “I was hoping to see if he’s got a simple ring or something. I’ve always liked those earrings you’ve got.” She pauses. “Well, earring.”

I tuck my hair back behind my ear so the earring in question can show—a simple oval stud with a stone the color of a pale blue sky, and wrapped in silver. The set was my mother’s, but I admired them so much as a little girl that one day I took them. I gave the other one to Callen, and like me, he never goes a day without it. I keep a simple pearl in the other ear, but Callen just wears the one.

Vera and I peer at the wares. Silver rings with blue stones are laid out neatly in front of the silversmith in rows as he barters with customer after customer. As Vera tries on rings, I look around at the festival, now in full swing. Swaying lines of pennants and bells stretch between rooftops. In the distance, I spot a stage that has been built for dancers and singers. A troupe of children dance in unison—or at least try to. A small girl toward the end gets stage fright and tries to leave the platform, her face in her hands.