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Lucian frowned, his tone ringing with disapproval. “I’ve heard that’s becoming more dangerous.”

I shrugged. “All the more reason to save as many as we can before Earth is completely stripped of magic.”

“Do you really think he can do that?” Doubt painted Lucian’s face. “I know magic can be stolen, but to make an entire world barren?”

I nodded, remembering my studies about Earth. “That world used to have even more magic than Aisthanesthai. Until the Evil One came. Learning about what he’s done was the first time I’ve wished that luminites were capable of killing.”

The tips of his fingers slid over mine, and the contact sent frissons of heat through my body. It took all my effort to focus on his words.

“Sometimes, I do too.” Lucian’s voice was lullaby-soft, yet heavy with sadness. “It’s unfair and an affront to all goodness in the universe that he uses his immortality to destroy so many lives.”

“How is he immortal anyway?” My voice came out breathy as his fingers remained over mine. “We’re the only species with eternal life, but he’s clearly not one of us. Some say he’s a demon because of those horns and red eyes, but he’s too powerful to be a mere demon.”

“There are some extremely powerful, long-lived demons,” Lucian argued.

Then his eyes shifted down to our lightly connected fingers and a slight smile curved his lips, weakening my knees.

“However, I think you’re right. From what I’ve observed in the observatory spheres and read of Mephistopheles, he doesn’t behave like any demon I’ve learned about.

Of course I haven’t formally studied demons. ”

Since neither Mephistopheles nor demons were a topic that matched the heat coursing though my being at Lucian’s touch, I changed the subject. “Tell me more about how you go about world-building in Luminista.”

We ended up talking all night, to the disapproval of our mothers.

After we bade each other goodnight hours after the party ended, Mother beckoned me into her relaxing room. Worry coursed through my being that something had gone wrong with the seedling in her womb.

“I spoke with Lucretia and Lucinda,” she said crisply after sipping a berry-flavored ice drink.

My relief was short-lived, replaced by a new worry. What if Lucian wasn’t as good and sincere as he’d seemed? “Did you find out what they want out of a betrothal between our clans?”

Mother nodded. “They were very evasive and tried to bury the subject in meaningless platitudes, but I eventually got the basic premise from them.”

I settled on the settee beside her. “And that is?”

Mom shook her head and her lips curved in a smile that was both smug and mysterious.

“You aren’t ready to know, Daughter Dearest. All I’ll say now is that I approve of the Jagwolfe prince courting you, but I hope it’s a long courtship.

The results of a union between you two will have much larger consequences than the usual marriages of our kind.

Consequences that could benefit all luminites. Or possibly harm them.”

Frustration coursed through my body in a furious boil. “If you know, but won’t tell me, why bother summoning me here to tell me that you won’t tell me anything?”

“Because I wanted you to know that your relationship with Lucian Jagwolfe is a good thing for now, and likely forevermore.”

My heart and gut warred with each other in response to such advice.

Part of me was tempted to rebel against the Jagwolfe matriarchs and end my friendship with Lucian unless they were open with me on what exactly they wanted.

The other part of me wanted to rebel against my mother and rush things.

My lower body stirred as I imagined Lucian’s lips on mine, his hands caressing my bare skin… and then…

I rose from the settee before my flushed face betrayed my thoughts and bowed to Mother. “I will think hard on your advice in this matter.”

But when I reached my chambers, my imagination refused to quell the heat of my body. I couldn’t stop thinking of Lucian’s easy smile, his beautiful hair, and the feel of his strong arms around me when we’d danced together.

With all that, it took an eternity to fall asleep.

In the following days, I showed Lucian more of my family’s kingdom.

Often his mother accompanied us. I didn’t dislike Lucinda, but there was an intensity about her that I wasn’t used to and couldn’t figure out.

At least the even more intense Lucretia had departed three days into the feasting and celebrating alongside my grandmother Silvara.

I was intrigued by Silvara ever since our first meeting in Luminista.

I had so many questions for this matriarch who’d ruled Medicia before my mother.

Yet my grandmother was very vague and tight-lipped about her experiences.

I complained to Lucian about it when we were finally alone. “I wish my grandmother was more like the human ones I’ve seen. Cheerful, affectionate, and eager to share their knowledge.”

Lucian’s blue eyes widened in a way that made his face look adorably boyish. “They do that?”

Once more I marveled at how much younger he seemed for knowing less about the worlds and peoples outside of Luminista.

I told him about what I’d observed of human grandparents and their relationships with their families, but before I could finish, it was time to dispose of the bodies of my grandmother and Lucian’s mother and great aunt.

I always despised this part of being a luminite.

Seeing those dead bodies, empty and beginning to rot, made my stomach churn.

Silvara had chosen poison as her vehicle to return to Aisthanesthai, leaving behind a pretty corpse, but a corpse all the same.

Everyone in the palace gathered in the rear courtyard to burn Silvara’s body on a pyre and scatter the ashes in the garden.

The Jagwolfe corpses were buried in the forest with trees planted above them as was tradition for that clan.

Mother always insisted on honoring a visiting clan’s body disposal traditions.

Lucian was more uncomfortable than I was, which gave me more courage than usual and distracted me with curiosity.

“How many times have you died?”

“I haven’t yet.”

I gaped at him. “You haven’t? In Medicia, if a luminite doesn’t have a natural death by the time they reach their first century, they must kill themselves so they can visit Luminista.”

Lucian hugged himself and shivered. “I would not like taking part in such a custom. What happens with the body when they go to the mother realm and then return?”

“It depends on the family custom. Many will make the returned luminite dispose of their own body so they can get used to doing so. But I know many will be kind and take care of it before the luminite returns.”

Lucian shuddered and I shuddered with him as he said, “I’m not sure I could abide standing over my own corpse.”

“Me neither,” I whispered.

His head cocked to the side, making his mass of golden hair fall over his shoulder. “You didn’t see yours when you returned?”

“No. It was pulled away by the sea’s powerful current.”

“That’s lucky.” Lucian gave me a gentle smile. Then he fell silent. “When I leave here, this will be my first death. I’d be honored if you took care of my body.”

The mental image of Lucian lying lifeless and empty at my feet made me shiver with distaste, but I nodded. “I will. When are you going back?”

“Hopefully not for a while, but my mother told me that a messenger would come to call me back when it’s time for me to resume my duties.”

“Oh.” Heat flushed my face as I couldn’t find any other words to describe how I’d miss him. Somehow, some time, Lucian Jagwolfe had become something more than an entertaining diversion and fresh eyes to show off all the things I loved.

If a mere four weeks wasn’t too soon for such things, I would have thrown myself in his arms, climbed up his tall, muscled body, and pressed my lips against his. The mental image made my face burn and I materialized a fan to cool off.

“Are you alright?” he asked gently.

“Of course. I’m only a little overheated. Would you like to take a swim in the grotto with me?”

His voice roughened as he looked at me in a way that made me question if he knew what I’d been thinking about. “I’d like that very much.”

Too late I realized that meant I’d be seeing him in a state of near undress. Consider it research for painting and sculpting , I told myself.

We spent the next two months together. Between showing Lucian all the creatures of Medicia, I tried to teach him some of the things I’d had the opportunity to learn.

He didn’t pick up drawing, painting, or singing, but he did take well to cooking, sewing, and some languages.

Shellandrian was easiest for him, while Shyr, Leprechaun, and Abinitian proved so difficult that I didn’t dare try to teach him some of the Earthfolk tongues.

Lucian also spent a great amount of time with my father in the gardens, captivated with the whole process.

I voiced my confusion. “But you build plants like these from their very molecules!”

“That’s different,” Lucian said cheerfully. “This is working with all components and seeking harmony in each one. At home, only farmers and gardeners get to do that.”

Unfortunately, the dreaded day came when a messenger from the Jagwolfe clan in Luminista arrived to call Lucian home. Persuading the messenger to delay for a day and enjoy the luxurious accommodations and foods of the palace was easy. But saying goodbye, even with extra time, was not.

Lucian and I went up to a high ridge over the sea to watch the two moons reflecting on the waves and some falling stars.

“Kerainne Leonine,” he said huskily, gently grasping my chin.

“Princess of Medicia, and heir to a kingdom. I may not be as learned as you, I may not have as many talents, and I definitely have not lived as much as you despite having twice as many years of life. Despite my shortcomings, I have no lack of daring.”

“Daring to what?” I asked breathily.

“To do this.” And then he kissed me.

His lips caressed mine with a new and exciting magic, making me feel like the stars were shooting through my being. I reached around his broad shoulders for stability as well as a feral need to feel his firm, warm chest against mine. My fingers plunged into his silken hair.

I clung to him, exploring his mouth, and reveling in the new sensations he wrought. He tasted of sunshine and magic and I couldn’t get enough.

But just before I climbed onto his lap to feel more of him, Lucian broke away gasping. “Come with me, Kerainne.”

“I can’t.” Regret tugged at my heart. “There’s no way I can leave my mother when she’s pregnant.”

He opened his mouth as if to argue, then closed it and sighed. “Then I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

“Good.” I struggled to recover my own breath. So much for taking things slowly. “If Mother’s pregnancy goes well, she’ll deliver the baby in a year and a half. I know it will be hard on her, but I’m going to be out of my mind with worry and don’t want to be alone.”

“I will try to make it back in time to be with you.” He pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead. “I told the King and Queen that my messenger and I will depart with no ceremony. Will you keep your promise about my body?”

“I will.” A lump formed in my throat as I tried not to think about caring for his lifeless body.

We unleashed our wings and flew back to the palace. He kissed me once more at the door to my chambers, then departed to his.

The next morning, he was already gone. Father helped me carry Lucian’s body to the forest. I buried the corpse in the Jagwolfe custom and planted a lilac tree above it.