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“You can’t just throw the F-word into any sentence and call it good.”

He began swinging his sword again, landing each imaginary strike with the F-word. We rounded the cliff, getting closer and closer to our secret hiding spot. Tobyas’ face moved toward the sun every few seconds as he sped up, watching it inch closer to the center of the sky.

We reached the cave as the first lights began to flash, when the sun bounced off the waves to reflect off the crystals that made up the cave’s ceiling. They grew brighter and brighter until every surface of the cave shimmered with dancing lights. I sat down on the rock toward the deadend of the cave, leaning my head back to let the lights swarm me like fireflies. Tobyas stood in place, his head moving back and forth, back and forth.

A dull spot in the sea of brilliance caught my eye. In my peripheral I saw a tiny row boat floating in the sea’s waves. I almost ignored it, but…it seemed to be heading into the harbor from the sea beyond the breakwall. Row boats usually took captains and their crew from the shore to their ships anchored in the harbor. To see a boat rowing from the open sea into the harbor…

Suddenly, the lights disappeared and the cave was dim once again. “I think the lights were better last time.” Tobyas said abruptly, disappointment lacing his voice.

My vision snapped back to where he stood, his face still glued to the ceiling of the cave. “Not everything can be perfect all the time,” I told him.

“That’s stupid.” He kicked the ground.

I inhaled, letting out a laugh at his response. “Such is life, Tobyas.”

Chapter 17

“I’m the daughter of a lord,” Aunt Berna said, daintily dabbing the corner of her mouth with a napkin. She’d pulled thegood napkinsfrom the cupboard when Lord Evarius Castemont told us he’d like to have dinner with us. He’d invited us to his residence in the castle, but Aunt Berna insisted he and Tyrak come to our home for dinner so she could make her famous braised beef.

I didn’t know how it could be famous when the only one who ever talked about it was her.

Tyrak had opted to stand guard outside the front door. I wished I could join him after about five minutes of driveling conversation. Aunt Berna had flitted about the kitchen all day, fussing over every detail and sending Tobyas and me to the market more than once. She wanted everything to bejust so. That’s what she’d told us over and over all day.

I’d never seen her like this, and I wasn’t sure I liked it.

“Lord Carrowin… I’m afraid I don’t know the name,” Lord Castemont replied before placing a forkful of beef in his mouth.

“He lived in Anicole,” Tobyas piped as he pushed steamed carrots around his plate.

“Anicole? How does the daughter of an Anicolian lord find herself living in Eserene?”

Was she batting her lashesagain?

“My father was Lord Hans Carrowin, born to a long line of Anicolian noblemen. Both my parents had passed, and I was set to marry the truly wretched son of a baron.” She shuddered slightly. “But with no parents left alive, I had no one to hold me accountable.” A coy smile lit her face. “I took the family fortune, arranged an escort, and decided to start my life in Eserene.”

Lord Castemont’s eyes widened. “A woman who takes initiative.” He leaned back slightly and surveyed her petite features, her blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. “How refreshing.”

“Thank you, my Lord,” she answered, bowing her head. Tobyas shot me a look of disgust, but I made sure to keep my face straight.

Aunt Berna was pretty. I knew that. Men looked at her everywhere we went, even some women. But no one who approached her ever seemed good enough for her. To be honest, I didn’t know why she took us in. She could’ve married someone and had children of her own, but she chose us instead. She was strict and always made sure we used our manners, but she had fun with us, too. She’d always told us she hoped we’d have an uncle one day, but that she had to make sure he was perfect for our family.

I was absolutely sure that Lord Castemont wasnotthat person.

But still, she blushed and giggled as he spoke, blooming in his gaze like a rose in her perfectly tended garden. I picked at my braised beef, the taste of it souring in my mouth as I stewed over the fact that she cooked it forhim.

“I’m not a native of Eserene, either,” Lord Castemont said, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. “My father was a merchant from Taitha.”

“Taitha?” Tobyas blurted. “So you’ve traveled the Onyx Pass, too?”

Lord Castemont took a sip of wine. “What if I told you I’ve traveled the Pass dozens of times?” My brother's eyes widened. “Mostly to Blindbarrow, but a few other diplomatic trips to other cities and countries. As long as you’re experienced with a sword, you can make it through the Pass just fine.”

Tobyas stared at him in disbelief. “Whoa.”

“Taitha,” Aunt Berna cut in. “How did you end up in Eserene then?”

The Lord smiled fondly. “My father was the favored spice merchant of the late Cabillian King Divos. The King actually helped me earn the position of squire to a young Nesanian prince who was studying in Taitha. But when I was seventeen, my father passed at sea.” His eyes turned reverent.

“Oh, my deepest apologies,” Aunt Berna crooned.