Page 15

Farron

T he carriage bumps along the cobblestone, the movement much rockier than the dirt road we were previously traveling on.

We’re almost there.

I fold my hands in my lap. There’s a wrinkle in my long gold tunic, and I smooth it out. We must look presentable today. It is a meeting of royals, after all.

On the seat across from me, my mother watches out the window. My little sister, Eleanor, sits beside her, reading a book.

My leg shakes up and down. I need to distract myself. We won’t arrive for a while yet. Carefully, I grab my leather satchel. I brought a good book on the History of Human Relations. Lifting the buckle, a pop sounds, and a burst of smoke explodes in the carriage.

My mother gives a shriek of alarm, and my sister rolls her eyes without glancing up. A layer of dirt, twigs, and moss covers me.

My satchel had been booby-trapped.

Nerves give way to anger as I throw down the satchel, then open the carriage door. “Dom! Billy!” I frantically brush the mess off my finery and check for stains.

Childish laughter fills the air as Dominic and Billagin trot up on their ponies. The twins are nothing but mischief down to their hearts.

Dom offers me a sparkling grin. “We noticed how long you took getting ready this morning, big brother.”

“Yes, we waited hours to get on the road.” Billy chuckles.

I heave in a steadying breath. “It’s difficult to look presentable while traveling.”

It took seven days to pass from the Autumn to the Summer Realm. The landscape changes so drastically; one day we were surrounded by falling crisp red leaves, and the next, the air was thick and muggy, the trees blooming and green.

But today is our last day of travel. For quick visits between the realms, we always use Castletree as a gateway.

We’re able to get there quickly through the enchanted door in our keep, and then Castletree’s magic allows us to access any of the four realms. However, for longer journeys, Mother and Father like to take the carriages so we can visit villages along the way.

Father has friends everywhere, it seems, and Mother constantly reminds me of how important it is to understand your own people.

She’s right, of course, but all that socialization is exhausting.

Finally, we’re due to arrive in Hadria, the capital of the Summer Realm.

Today, we will meet with the Royal Family.

“Boys.” A clear voice fills the air as our mother pops her head out of the carriage. “Stop tormenting your brother. He’s already nervous enough.”

“Yes, Mumsie!” They plaster on matching grins before trotting off on their ponies.

“I’m not nervous.” I fall back to my seat, crossing my arms over my chest.

My mother narrows her eyes at me and shuts the door.

She’s dressed in her finery, a cap-sleeved brown dress and a gold ribbon woven through her long chestnut and silver-streaked hair.

“The Solstice Games are a grand celebration. They only occur every four years. All the royals will be there. Now come here, my clove.”

I huff a breath at her pet name, but then begrudgingly slide between her and Eleanor. “You know what to expect. You’ve been to dozens of these. This is still new to me,” I say.

“It was at a Winter Solstice that I met your father.” My mother blows a gentle breeze, carrying dirt from my shoulder out a crack in the window. She weaves her long fingers through my hair, picking out the branches and twigs.

As if on cue, my father’s thundering laugh echoes in the air. I catch his enormous frame outside, riding his massive brown horse. Probably chasing after the twins. His red beard and long hair blow in the wind.

“He was the captain of the guard accompanying us to Frostfang,” my mother continues, “so my parents were unsure of the match at first. But when they saw how happy I was, they understood.”

“I know the story.” I sigh as my mother drops the last of the twigs onto her lap.

“Almost done.” She smiles, then I feel the stir of her magic. The Blessing of Autumn. My own magic warms within me as the light brush of cold wind twines through my hair. “Eleanor, do you have a comb in your bag?”

My sister gives a long sigh and drags a string to mark her place in her book. Her hair, a smidge darker than mine, is braided into a crown on top of her head. “You know, he’d still kiss you, even with shit in your hair.”

“Eleanor!” I snarl.

She rolls her bright gold eyes and shoves her bristle brush into our mother’s hands.

Eleanor is not like the twins at all. She’s calculating. Well, as calculating as a child of her age can be. If she could live in her books, she would. I suppose we have that in common. Though her preferred topics have always been a tad…questionable.

I peek a look at the title of her current read: The Decaying Process of Small Mammals.

My mother gives a sigh, bringing me back to the present moment. She brushes a section of my hair behind a pointed ear. “One day you’ll understand, Nori.”

Eleanor makes a disgusted sound in the back of her throat. “I’d rather be eaten by the Wyvern Tree and digested in its bark for the next thousand years.”

And right now, I’m inclined to agree. Because the carriage rumbles to a stop and voices rise outside. We’re here. We’re at Soltide Keep.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

It’s been a year. What if he’s forgotten me? He wasn’t at the Autumn Equinox Festival or the Winter Solstice or the Spring Equinox, even though he promised he would be.

But he will be here.

I need to know if he’s been consumed with memories of last summer like I have.

What happened between the kisses on the shore, where I’d given Dayton everything, and he swore he’d keep it safe? Was it all a play, just a game to him?

I can’t believe that. Dayton may be a performer in the arena, but he couldn’t have pretended the emotion in his eyes. So, what happened?

The door opens and the footman gestures for us to exit.

I heave in a breath and run a hand through my hair, distantly hearing my mother tsk about ruining all her hard work. But it’s like my ears are stuffed with leaves, and all I can comprehend is the pounding of my heart.

The heat of Summer hits me like a wave as I stumble onto the sandstone street. Mother must have been keeping the carriage cool with her magic the whole time.

Here in the Summer Realm, I feel stifled. The blue sky is bright with white clouds, and ocean waves crash on the horizon. Officials line the streets. Before us lies glistening Soltide Keep.

Princess Sabine, long blond hair swinging loose, stands between her pair of chosen partners, Cenarius and Ovidius.

High Prince Damocles is positioned next to his parents, skin bronzed and gleaming.

Though he technically lives in Castletree, word has it he spends a great deal of time residing in Hadria, especially during times of celebration.

Decimus stands at his side, back straight and chin held high.

I scan the line again. My mother pushes me into a bow as she greets the Summer royals, but I can’t concentrate on anything. My heart aches.

He’s not here.

Day isn’t here.