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“Come upstairs,” Magda beckoned him.

They both ascended and reached Magda’s room. Pushing open the door, she noted her knapsack and belongings exactly where she had left them. Outside the window, the clear night was twinkling with stars. Magda hadn’t realized how late it was.

“Are you sure Odie’s fine with Prisha?” Magda asked suddenly. For the past few days, Ravi’s sister had taken every opportunity to play with the dog.

“Of course,” Ravi laughed, “I’m sure she would take him from you permanently if you let her. Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“The news…,” Magda shuddered, “...means I have to leave Flaustra.” It was as simple as she could put it for the time being.

“You have to go back and serve your princess,” Ravi seemed to understand, although he didn’t meet her gaze.

“I’ll have to go to Ilusauri too, and I’m scared.”

“Why?” Ravi asked.

“Because from this moment on, with the new alliance and the marriage, my life will change forever.”

“I’m sure it will be fine.” Ravi crossed to her. “You will serve your princess, and you’ll still be able to travel as you are now. It’s not like you’re the one marrying Claude.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Then tell me. All I’ve ever been asking is for you to be honest with me.”

Magda turned away from him, running over to the window. She didn’t know how to confess everything now. She didn’t want Ravi to look at her any differently, after her dozens and dozens of lies. Already, she would lose him when she married Claude, and she didn’t want to taint the memories of the friendship they had.

Ravi came up behind her, sliding his strong arms around her waist. “You like the stars, don’t you?” he asked sweetly.

Magda couldn’t pull her eyes from the window. “Yes. I’ll miss this place after I go back to Azurem.”

Ravi was silent for a long moment. Then he said, “I always thought that could be a possibility that you would go back.”

“I’m sorry. I wished we could have had more time together, but it’s not my choice. I never planned to leave Flaustra so soon.”

“Then let me come to Azurem with you. Or even Ilusauri.”

“It would never work.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t have the luxury of choosing who I can be with.”

“What if I got down on my knees and begged you to stay? I can’t give you much, but I could promise you a life of happiness and comfort. If you think this is real, which I think it is, would you consider leaving your place at the Azuremi castle?”

“I can’t.”

Ravi sighed. “I respect your decisions. I won’t pressure you to stay then. Just tell me…will I see you again?”

Magda thought about it long and hard. Could she see Ravi again after she was married to Claude? Technically yes, but she didn’t know if the Mad King would appreciate it. Given the way she felt about Ravi, there was no way any future husband would approve.

Ravi seemed to understand when she didn’t reply. He deepened the embrace, closing his arms around her. Then he moved his lips to her ear, before tracing them down the side of her neck. The tingle of his breath ignited a fire inside her, and Magda closed her eyes so she could focus on feeling the soft movement of his lips brushing up against her skin.

“I should go,” he suddenly said, but he didn’t loosen his grip.

“Why?”

“Because if I don’t leave, I won’t be able to stop myself.”

Magda slid her arms across his, pulling him tighter around her as they both looked out at the view of the city. “Then don’t stop,” she said. She let her head fall back against his shoulder, so that the bare skin of her neck was fully exposed.