Page 56

Chapter

Thirty-Seven

TATE

Where is Ara?

Nearly her whole squadron passed us in the hallway after lunch, but she hasn’t been with them. I let my eyes wander over the people crowding the atrium, hoping to spot her. A group of runners help with the arrangements for the general’s visit, but I don’t spot her anywhere.

The sun stands high and chases away all the shadows. A group of riders approaches their birds, harnesses and saddles slung over their shoulders, carrying swords and bows. The northern division got the short straw and is doing patrols today.

Jared and I sit on a bench with our backs resting against the building behind us. We’re enjoying the sun on our faces and relaxing after finishing a nice long run around the perimeters.

My thoughts are constantly on Ara. And how could they not after yesterday? But since I haven’t seen her all day, I’m starting to worry that she’s avoiding me again.

Today has been hectic around here with all the ado about the general’s visit, who will arrive within the hour.

Could we just have missed each other?

I draw my legs in, so the boy barreling past me with a rake doesn’t stumble over them.

Heaven forbid the gravel isn’t where it’s supposed to be.

I wonder if Darren Blackstone looks anything like his father. I was fond of the old general. He was a cordial man with good humor and a big heart, and I was shocked to hear of his death two years ago.

He used to bring his family when I was little since his wife and my mother were childhood friends. But the visits stopped. So I haven’t seen any of the younger Blackstones for quite a few years. They were dark-haired, like their father, weren’t they?

The general’s laughter at my pranks had been what swayed my father to a more lenient punishment more than once, and I came up with plenty until my parents granted me my wish to drag poor Jared along after I nearly burned down the ballroom.

I smile, remembering Jared’s face when he accompanied me for the first time. Despite us growing up together, he had been speechless at the splendor conjured up to impress other kingdoms.

“What are you smiling at?” Jared looks at me questioningly.

“Just remembering your face when I dragged you along to a function for the first time. I can’t remember what it was…”

“Man, the food. I had never seen anything like that. Makes all of this seem rather unimpressive, huh?” He looks at the bare stone walls around us. Everything is nearly sparkling with how clean it is, but there’s no decoration in sight. He looks at me. “You aren’t worried?”

I shake my head. “I haven’t seen Blackstone in years. I don’t think he’ll recognize me.”

“I guess it comes rather handy now that you look more like your mother. Fred wouldn’t have had a chance to deny his lineage.”

I chuckle. My brother is the spitting image of my father, with his blond hair and blue eyes.

“We’ll have to drink on that later.” I look around. “Where is everyone?”

Jared chuckles.

“She took on at least three errand jobs. I bet we won’t see her until dinnertime.”

I look at him. “Who?”

Jared grins. “Don’t tell me you wanted to know where our flight is or our first years are.” He laughs at my face and slaps my back.

Okay, he got me there. Why would she run around all day instead of joining the festivities?

I realize I must have mused that out loud when Jared looks at me with one raised eyebrow.

I shrug and focus on numerous flights of first years and second years going through drills, preparing for the show later.

I’m grateful they decided to show off the academy students and leave us in full service out of it.

We all endure a rather uninspired speech. Legatus Janus talks about Darren Blackstone’s rising star in the military, and Blackstone weathers it stoically with a polite smile.

Drills and flying maneuvers are executed for his entertainment before the formalities are abandoned in favor of a quite festive atmosphere during the feast.

When all of us, especially Blackstone and his staff, are wined and dined, the whole fuss finally winds down.

Sanders beckons all centurions and squadron leaders to him and looks thrilled to give us the opportunity to mingle, shake hands, and address questions with the general and his staff.

That is how I find myself face-to-face with Darren Blackstone. He’s smiling and thankfully doesn’t show any sign of recognition when I meet his eyes.

His eyes are an unusual greenish-blue with golden specks, and he looks familiar. But that is no surprise. I knew his father quite well after all.

His gaze moves over my shoulder, and I see surprise flash over his face.

“Joel?” Blackstone’s face splits into a wide grin, instantly making him seem younger and much more approachable. Cassius steps next to me, and they hug, clearly glad to see each other.

If Cassius knows Blackstone that well, the chances are high that Ara knows him too. This would explain why she took on all those errands and also confirm my suspicion about the circles she grew up in.

Who is Darren Blackstone to Ara?

The clearing of a throat right next to me pulls me out of my trance, and I realize I have been staring at Blackstone. I return to my flight, but my mind wanders off instead of listening to the conversation around me.

My gaze comes back to Blackstone and Cassius, who stand not far from us, talking and laughing. Cassius seems strangely on edge.

Curious, I keep an eye on them and step a little closer.

“Did you know my sister is here as well? Nearly half of our old group in one place.” Darren Blackstone laughs, but Joel pales, perspiration beading on his forehead.

“What…” He clears his throat. “What do you mean?”

Blackstone eyes him carefully. “Still not over her?” He pats Cassius’s shoulder. “I always thought you would have ended up together if she hadn’t been promised to the crown.”

They are speaking about Tamara Blackstone, then. The girl I was betrothed to since we were kids. So my brother inherited not only the throne, but my bride as well, it seems.

I don’t remember much more than a little blond girl playing with us in the gardens. I remember that she kept us on our toes with the chore of having to keep an eye on her.

Cassius waves him off.

“I’m fine.” He looks around, wincing when he catches my eye, sending me a strained smile. His gaze flies back to Blackstone, and he clears his throat.

“What do you mean she’s here?”

“Oh, she’s visiting our cousin. I think she needed to get away for a while.” Blackstone seems troubled and in thought before his eyes snap back to Cassius.

“I will drop by there as soon as I’m out of here. Would you care to accompany me?”

“Well, that would be great, but unfortunately…” Cassius raises his hands in an apologetic gesture. “No free evening for me.” Which I know to be bullshit, even without my gift. Our whole division is free tonight.

“Are you sure? I bet I could put in a good word for you,” Blackstone inquires, raising an eyebrow.

At that moment, Arkwright makes his way over to them, saving Cassius from having to answer.

Has to be tough being around the girl you love, knowing she will never be yours.

“Summer?” Blackstone asks, and my attention snaps back to them.

“He is on errands today, but that boy is astonishing in the obstacle course,”Arkwright praises. “And quite funny with his silly quirk.”

Blackstone’s eyebrows rise. “How so?”

“He climbs like he’s flying through that obstacle course. And I laughed about his habit of touching the ground before he starts, but it seems to work for him.”

“Really?” Blackstone’s tone sounds intrigued, but a storm is brewing in his eyes. “That boy wouldn’t be by any chance blond and slender, would he?” he inquires.

Arkwright’s eyebrows shoot up. “You know him?”

“Oh, I might.” I see the muscles in Blackstone’s jaw twitch. “But sometimes it’s hard to say who you really know, isn’t it?”

His eyes zero in on Cassius.

I’m sure now. Blackstone knows Ara. So she grew up on or around the Blackstone stronghold. Maybe her dad was part of the general’s staff?

Fortress Blackstone is only half an hour by bird from our capital, where I grew up. And the general and his staff spent a lot of time at court.

I search my memory for anyone high-ranked with the last name Summer, but come up empty.

Damn that woman and her secrets.