Lina looked up to the night sky and her hood slipped off her head. She didn’t reach to lift it, seemingly caught up in a memory and peering at the stars. Bri shifted closer beside her and looked up as if she too could see Lina’s drifting thoughts.

When Bri spoke, her voice felt too loud cutting through the silence. “Where would you go?”

“What?” Lina glanced over, her brown eyes glinting with reflected moonlight.

Bri’s gaze dropped to Lina’s parted lips. “If you could go anywhere, where would you go?”

Lina shook her head. “I don’t know . . . everywhere—the High Mountains and the ice lakes in the North. The Sea of Wetamuir and the Rotten Peak. I’d like to see it all.”

“It’s all overrated.” Bri bit the inside of her lip, holding back her smile.

“I’d like to judge that for myself, thank you,” Lina said, lifting her chin. “One day . . .”

“Rua is having a Spring Equinox celebration in Murreneir,” Bri said, the words coming out a bit too eagerly. She cleared her throat. “I’m certain you’re invited. Why don’t you accept her invitation?”

“Because my kingdom is in disarray, and I need to restore order before indulging in banquets and balls.” Lina’s expression hardened, resolute. “Nothing else matters until my people are safe and a crown is on my head.”

Bri pursed her lips. “Sensible.”

“You should try it some time.” Lina winked and walked up the steps. She gingerly placed the necklace through the letter slot and stepped back down.

That wink echoed in pinpricks all over Bri’s body. No matter what Bri volleyed at her, Lina always seemed ready to throw it back. The Princess sauntered back down the stairs, and Bri wished she could see the swish of Lina’s hips hidden under her cloak. She hadn’t realized someone could have such an alluring walk until she met Lina—the rock and sway of each step rhythmic and powerful.

Bri pressed her lips together and swallowed, heat rising in her cheeks as she asked, “Where to next, Airev?”

* * *

By the time they returned to the castle, the sun had crested the horizon, and they’d barely managed to sneak back in before the long shadows yielded to daylight. Once Lina had safely snuck back into her rooms, Bri headed straight for her own chambers and collapsed into her bed. Carys was already awake, preparing for her morning run. The moment Bri’s head hit the pillow, sleep overtook her, but her rest was short-lived. It seemed like only minutes had passed before Carys returned and woke her. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, Bri rolled her shoulders and readied for another day.

“You really can’t let this Saika thing go, can you?” Carys muttered as they trudged down the spiraling stone steps and onto the red tile floors.

It was the day of the Queen’s weekly reception and Lina’s first time taking up the mantle. With crowds of city dwellers coming to air their grievances and watch the rest of society, Bri knew she needed to be in attendance. There were too many risks for Bri to sleep through it.