'Yes, exalted.'
'I'm sorry,' Alister apologized. 'We haven't even had an after-dinner drink yet.'
'That's all right. I have to fly early tomorrow.' Taya eyed his watch. 'Did your brother make that?'
Alister unhooked the chain and handed it to her. 'He did.'
The decatur's watch was gold, too, but the case had been engraved with a fancy sun-and-moon pattern, with an inlay of white and red metal. Taya opened it the way Cristof had shown her. The watch face was a shiny black surface filigreed in silver and gold, showing a repetition of the celestial pattern. Tiny diamonds marked the hours and looked like twinkling stars.
The vibration felt the same as Cristof's watch; like the steady beat of a tiny heart.
'Did you choose the design?' Taya asked, looking up.
'More or less. Cris said he'd make me a watch as a graduation present and asked what I wanted. I told him I'd like a sun on it, but he's the one who designed the pattern for the jeweler. That's platinum and red gold, and the face is an ondium and iron alloy. I didn't ask how he got his hands on ondium. Through the black market, I expect. He said it's perfectly counterweighted — if I ever took out the face and let it go, it would float without moving.'
'It's beautiful.'
'I'm sure it cost him a fortune, but since he barely touches his inheritance, I imagine our accountants didn't complain too much.'
'He must love you a lot, to make you a present like this.' Taya handed it back.
'Well, we're brothers.' Alister tucked it into his sleeve, looking thoughtful. 'Will you forgive me if I don't escort you to the door? I'd have to put on my overrobe and mask, and I wouldn't even be able to say good- bye.'
'Of course. I understand.' She bowed, pressing her palm against her forehead. 'Thank you for dinner and the pleasant conversation, exalted. You've been very kind.'
He grabbed her hand as she straightened and brought it to his lips, smiling as he kissed her fingers. Taya squirmed a little, meeting his eyes and melting at the humor and warmth she saw in their green depths.
'Nor could I do that in a mask and robes,' he said, squeezing her hand.
'You're going to make it very awkward for us to meet again in Oporphyr Tower,' she said, her heart pounding.
'I know how to admire from afar. I just don't enjoy it.' He released her with a show of reluctance. 'I intend to see you again. Before my cousin's party, if I can possibly clear my calendar.'
'I'd like that.' She stepped back. 'Good night, exalted.'
'Alister.'
'Alister.'
He called in his servant, who escorted Taya through the antechamber and out to the front door. Gregor was waiting outside, finishing an ale. He handed it back to the servant when he saw Taya.
'Eat well, then?' he asked, opening the coach door. Taya looked inside and sighed.
'Too well. I don't think I can stand being jolted around inside that stuffy box again, Gregor. Can I ride on top with you?'
'The exalted would have my head if he found out, he would.'
'Don't be silly.' Taya examined the side of the coach, gauging how to climb up. 'Please? I ride on top or I walk.'
The coachman sighed, closed the door, and helped her up.
The next day Taya went back to work, pleased to find her wings repaired. None of her deliveries took her to Oporphyr Tower, but Alister sent a note to the dispatch office, thanking her for a lovely evening and apologizing for not being able to get out of his obligations that evening. Taya felt a moment's regret, then tucked the note into one of her flight-suit pockets and finished her day's work.
On the day after that, she was amused to find a message asking for her by name, ordering her to fly to Exalted Forlore's office to pick up a package for the University. Alister did have a package for her, but he kept her chatting with him for half an hour, shamelessly flirting and begging her to take him flying with her someday. Taya promised to make some inquiries. The dock kept a special set of wings for visitors, but they were usually reserved to entertain foreign ambassadors who didn't have to worry about caste propriety. She didn't know what it would involve to borrow them for an exalted. They'd have to go somewhere remote, where he could fly without a mask and not be seen.
'I don't trust him,' Pyke declared, after she told Cassi about the day's meeting. They were sitting at their usual table in the eyrie dining room, their voices pitched low to keep the rest of the icarii from overhearing. 'He's moving too fast.'
'Too fast?' Cassi rolled her eyes. 'Dinner and a chat in his office is hardly ‘too fast.’ It's a perfectly respectable pace.'
'But all this flirting….'
'Is fine, as long as Taya doesn't mind. You should try flirting, Pyke. Girls like to be flattered, you know.'
'Alister flirts well,' Taya said, smiling at the memory of his lingering touches and long gazes. 'It's harmless.'
'And if he goes beyond flirting?'
'Then she's a lucky girl,' Cassi said, with finality.
'I don't know,' Taya admitted. 'I don't know if he's just having fun or if he's sincere.'
'How can you possibly like a man you don't trust?' Pyke exclaimed.
'It's not that I don't trust him! I just don't know him well yet. But I'm having fun. If he wants to keep flirting and flattering until we're both old and grey, that's fine. But it would be kind of nice to know what he's thinking.'
'And if he is serious? Do you really think a cross-caste relationship between an exalted and an icarus can work out?'
'I guess it depends on what you mean by ‘work out,'' Taya murmured. She'd been wondering the same thing.
'Well, that's the point, isn't it?' Pyke retorted. 'We all know what people think about icarii. What if he uses you as a bed partner for a few months and then gets bored and moves on?'
'That might not be so bad,' Cassi pointed out. 'The exalted is handsome, rich, powerful, and charming. What makes you think Taya doesn't want a little no-strings-attached fun?'
Pyke scowled. 'Taya's not that kind of girl!'
'Quiet,' Taya said, reaching across the table to touch his wrist. Other icarii were glancing at them.
'If you're going to act like a jealous ex, go away,' Cassi said, piqued. 'Taya needs friendly advice, not offended masculinity.'
'My friendly advice is to leave him alone,' Pyke growled.
'And my friendly advice is to enjoy yourself and see what happens.' Cassilta gave her an envious look. 'Why doesn't some handsome exalted chase after me? I can't even attract an annoying conspiracy theorist.' She kicked Pyke, who muttered under his breath.
'Taya Icarus?'
The three of them looked up at the icarus in the doorway. All the other icarii in the room raised their arms and pointed in their direction.
Taya stood and led the messenger out to the parlor. He wore a military corps insignia on his flight leathers. That made sense — courier icarii didn't fly at night, unless they were caught out past sunset or there was an emergency. Which meant —
'Is it my father?' she asked, fearfully. 'Did something happen to my family?'
'Not that I know of.' He handed her the note. 'You're the Taya who rescued Exalted Octavus?'
'Yes.' She unfolded the message, then breathed a sigh of relief. It was from Lt. Amcathra, telling her that a wounded Demican had been reported by one of the Tertius physicians and arrested on suspicion of being her
