“Well done,” Serus murmurs, nodding.
“If it works,” I say, sighing. I roll onto my back, looking up at the starless sky. The air shimmers with magic and I relax.
“It will,” Serus yawns. He curls up beside me and I know he falls asleep quickly.
I lie awake longer. My mind runs wild with thoughts of the terrors that await us in the darkness. The Shades could be slipping across the desert from the portal towards us as we speak. I picture their full mouths open, saliva dripping down from their yellow teeth as they leer at me. I shiver, goosebumps pocking over my skin. I know in my gut they're coming. They won't be warded away by Freia knowing that I'm here, just outside of their grasp. No, they're plotting, preparing. And we must be prepared in turn. But it all depends on me, and I don't know if I can do it.
Whispers of leather and sand crunching underfoot reach my ears. I turn my head just enough to catch sight of Altair creeping towards me. He keeps his eyes turned away from me as he settles beside me on his back. He seems relaxed, and his hand brushes against mine. My breath catches in my throat when his fingers lace through mine. A smile ghosts over his lips. I glance towards Erzur, feeling a wave of guilt. But she's sleeping soundly.
“Aren’t you supposed to be on watch?” I whisper.
“What’s the point of a watch when we have your powerful spell to protect us?” He murmurs back.
I’m quiet for a moment, surprised he noticed my magic. I study the noble slope of his nose, his sharp jaw, and square chin. His hair is a greasy mop and I see the ghost of a beard on his cheeks and chin. “Were you watching me?” I tease.
“Always.” The simple word makes my stomach flutter. “Do you think I could ever take my eyes off you?”
“I think you’ll have to try,” I say, looking towards Erzur.
Altair shakes his head. “Verity, I can’t go through with it.”
“Altair,” I start, my heart swelling.
“I don’t know how I can.” His voice breaks and he pauses, settling himself. “Have I ever told you how my parents met?”
“You don’t talk about them much,” I whisper. I always wished he had.
Altair rolls over to face me and I see the pain in his hazel eyes. "My mother was not royalty. She was no one of importance, just the daughter of a merchant in Desmarais. When my father was Prince, he was tasked with running the Merchant Council. He would go to Desmarais and meet with them personally to hear their grievances."
“Let me guess.” I smile wryly. “Your mother was at one of these meetings.”
“No,” he says, eyes sparkling. “But she was outside with a basket of goods as a gift for him. You see, she had seen him before in passing and thought he was very handsome—at least that’s how my father always told it.”
“So it was love at first sight,” I murmur with a smile. It was nothing like that for Altair and I. I remember the first time I saw him, in his beastly form, glowering at me. And then later, looking regal at dinner. He made me want to stab a fork in my eye with all his arrogance.
"It was." Altair nods. "They married within months, and my grandfather disapproved but my father wouldn't hear anything about it. Growing up, I always hoped to have a love like that. When they died at sea and I had to assume the throne, it was a very dark time for me. I was moody and foul and I hardly fulfilled my duties."
Altair pauses, as if reliving the memories. I slip my hand into his, not bothering to feel guilty for the show of affection. He’s quiet, staring out into the darkness with a melancholy frown. I wait for him to continue, stroking the back of his hand with my thumb.
"And then Maaz arrived," Altair finally says. I narrow my eyes at the sound of her name. I won't lie and say I'm not glad she isn't dead. I just wish I could have been there to see it. The woman betrayed everyone and everything for the love of a man without a heart, and I'll never forgive her for that. Altair squeezes my hand. "She was beautiful, and I almost trusted her. When I refused her demands, and she cursed my people and me, I thought everything was over. I thought I had failed as King. I was already failing before, but now, I was completely incapable of ruling. I hated myself."
“Altair,” I whisper, voice fading at the gravity of his words. My heart pounds painfully.
“And then there was you.” He turns his gaze to me and I feel a glow blossom from my chest. I feel whole and perfect in his gaze. “And you changed everything. Do you understand why I can’t possibly give you up?”
In my heart, I know exactly what he means. Altair’s life has been filled with more sorrow than mine—at least that I have memories of—but I know I felt like my life was ending on the day I was to marry Henry. And then it all began again when I met Altair. It was magical and unbelievable, and I was hungry for it.
“I understand, Altair,” I whisper. “But you made a promise.”
“I also made a promise to you.” He leans his forehead on mine and we breathe the same, warm air. “And that means more to me than any promise.”
“What will you do when she attacks Alnembra?” I say quietly, eyes darting toward the sleeping Erzur.
He hardens his gaze and tightens his grip on my hand. “Whatever I have to.”
Images of war flash through my mind and I shake my head, ready to protest. But Altair silences me with a kiss. His lips are gentle on mine, moving slowly as if exploring the taste of me
