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I didn’t want to smile at the man who made me so uncomfortable, but I couldn’t help it. I’d wanted more than anything to be a part of the Royal Guard since Tobyas and I had arrived in Eserene five years ago. “Thank you, my Lord.”

“I want to be a Royal Guard!” Tobyas whined.

Lord Castemont let out a hearty laugh. “I’m sure you’ll be just as tall as…”

“Belin Cal Myrin,” I offered, “but I just go by Cal. And this is Tobyas Vic Myrin. He goes by Tobyas.”

The Lord’s eyes widened. “Your names are very unique.”

“Our Mama said she could never decide on a name, so she gave us each two, a real name and a nickname.”

Tobyas piped up. “Even though I don’t use mine.”

He was met with a nod. “And your surname is unique as well.”

“Yes,” I responded, trying not to narrow my eyes at his words. “It was our mother’s middle name, though I’m not sure why she chose it for our surname. We like having a piece of her with us now that she’s gone.”

“Make sure you remember it, because I’m going to be the head of the Royal Guard one day,” Tobyas chimed.

The Lord laughed, his eyes crinkling at the sides. “Well, Tobyas, I’m sure you’ll be just as tall as Cal one day, and you can be in the Royal Guard as well.”

My little brother beamed. “Bet I’ll be taller than you,” he teased, punching my arm.

“Andyoureyes,” he said abruptly to Tobyas, staring into the pools of midnight black, “they’re neither your father’s nor your mother’s?”

Aunt Berna leaned in and spoke quietly, but I still heard what she said. “They have different fathers.”

“I see,” the Lord answered, looking intently at my aunt. “I must apologize for my impoliteness, my Lady. You are?”

She lowered into a curtsy. “Bernadet Carrowin, my Lord. Their caretaker. They call me Aunt Berna. I took them in when…” She tried to hide her mouth from us with her small hand, but it was no use. “They’re from Taitha.”

I was surprised she’d given up that information. King Umfray wasn’t fond of outsiders, and she’d just told a Low Royal that’s exactly what we were.

“And your husband?” he asked, his eyes stuck to her.

“I’m unwed, my Lord.” Was that a smile she was trying to hide?

The Lord cocked his head and reached for her hand, bending to press his lips to her knuckles. I watched a blush creep across her face. “My Lady.”

“Ew,” Tobyas scoffed.

Aunt Berna spun on him. “Tobyas!”

“That’s quite all right, Miss Carrowin,” the Lord said. “I didn’t mean to offend the boy, it’s just rare to find someone of such beauty and generosity in Eserene.”

I fought to keep my eyes from rolling as Aunt Berna let out a delicate laugh. Was she really going to fall for this?

“My name is Lord Evarius Castemont. This is Tyrak, my personal guard.” Tyrak gave a slight nod, his face blank and rugged, black hair and olive skin swallowing the sunlight. “A pleasure to meet the three of you.”

Aunt Berna’s blush rose again as she lowered herself into a curtsy. “You as well, Lord Castemont.”

His eyes roved over mine again, his gaze intense. I felt Tyrak’s eyes linger on me for a moment as well, his face still expressionless. I didn’t flinch beneath their stares, reminding myself to be brave like Mama used to tell me to be. She’d always told me to be brave, kind, and honest. I thought I was doing a pretty good job.

With a nod, the Lord and his guard rejoined the rest of the market patrons. I stared as the crowd parted for them like sharks moving through a school of fish.

? ? ?

“ComeonCal,” Tobyas whined as we walked over the cobblestone streets of Prisma, Eserene's wealthiest district. “We’re going to miss it!” The shadow of the castle loomed overhead as we made our way to the cliffs, wooden swords in tow.