Charlotte screamed as Jasper dove into her, launching them both to the floor and covering her with his body. She expected an impact, but nothing else hit the deck. But she heard even louder groans and snaps as more beams gave way. The other passengers all began to shout in panic, and the ship lurched, throwing them against the side. Charlotte squeezed her eyes shut and screamed again.

  The boat lurched a second time, this time the other way, and the deck leveled out. The high-pitched tearing of steel and rope abruptly came to an end. The ship shuddered once, dipped, then returned to its normal speed.

  Charlotte opened her eyes, expecting the entire ship to be plummeting back to earth and the deck to be covered in metal beams and dead bodies.

  But there wasn’t.

  Tables and chairs were scattered about, and most of the passengers had dropped to the ground in fear just like them, but that was it. And the ship was flying normally. Jasper rolled off of her, and together they looked up in wonder. The girders and balloon somehow remained, and even the beams that had broken above their heads were returned to their former place. But now, the rafters all glistened with a clear, foreign coating. Like wax or…

  “Olive!” Charlotte gasped in sudden horror.

  She frantically got up and scanned the deck. In no time, she spotted Olivia under one of the remaining upright tables, curled into a ball and shivering. She ran to her sister and ducked under the table, pulling her out and embracing her.

  “Oh, Olive! Are you alright, my darling? Are you hurt?”

  “We should have listened to Micah,” she whimpered, holding Charlotte close.

  “I don’t get it,” Jasper said, scratching his now hatless head. “What happened?”

  Charlotte didn’t need to reply, because she already knew the answer. And she was so ashamed, no words could form in her throat. It didn’t take long to spot Micah. Many of the recovering crewmen and passengers were gathered near the bow and staring at him in awe. He was standing on the railing and holding up one of the broken girders solely with one hand. The other gripped Glad. The glass of his sword had erupted from the handle and been plunged against the metal. Long plates of the glass grew and grew, churning through the network of beams like crystalline vines.

  The glass ran through the whole expanse, supporting the stanchions and keeping them in place. Micah finished the patch-up by lifting the girder in his hand and putting it back in position. Hot glass flowed over it, crackling as it formed a protective seal around the end and welded it into the network. When he was sure the glass was cool and strong, he let go and dropped back onto the deck.

  Some of the passengers cheered, but most were too traumatized to do much of anything but shake their heads or hold on to loved ones. Micah scanned the gathering and spotted Charlotte and Olivia approach, followed by Jasper. He exhaled in relief and was about to meet them when an older man in a black coat and white hat emerged from the crowd, trailed by several crewmen.

  “My men tell me you saved my ship,” he said grimly.

  “Yes,” Micah replied.

  “You have my gratitude, son. I’ve been telling Skyline for years this boat was near finished, but they refused to approve the cost needed for repairs. Maybe now they’ll listen to me.”

  “You should have refused to fly. If I hadn’t happened to be on board today, you would all be dead. This ship has no business traveling, regardless of the medium. As skipper, you are responsible.”

  The captain looked ashamed, but didn’t lash back. “Aye… you’re right. I’ve issued orders to turn us back to Astenbury.”

  Micah glanced at Charlotte. She made no expression, but she couldn’t fool him anymore. Deep beneath her seemingly complacent blue gaze was a heart-breaking depression, full of sadness and humility. Micah bit his lip, already regretting his decision.

  “Does Sky Blue have a port capable of repairs?” he asked the captain.

  “Well, yes…”

  “Then, let’s continue on. By my calculation, we’ve covered approximately sixty percent of the journey. It would be wiser to dock there than to risk the trip back to Astenbury. My patch-up should hold until then.”

  Some color returned to the captain’s face as he nodded and enthusiastically barked orders to his men to get back to work. They scattered across the deck, recovering tables and chairs, mopping up spilled food and drink, and attending to still-affected guests.

  As the passengers gradually dispersed, Charlotte approached Micah. She clasped her hands at her chest, and her wide eyes inflicted an intense and penetrating stare on him. It was pain mixed with hope and yearning. Her dress fluttered with the warm wind, flowing like a banner of fire, and a trickling tear dried against her cheek.

  She slowly wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He couldn’t find the words, so he nodded and drew her as close as he dared.

  Jasper cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Yes, I suppose I owe you an apology, as well,” he said, rubbing the back of his head.

  “How mature of you,” Olivia said carefully.

  “Apology accepted,” Micah said.

  But he didn’t let go of Charlotte.

  An hour later, the wonder of Sky Blue City finally appeared to them behind a thick swirl of clouds. Against a white and sapphire sky, the metropolis seemed too much like a dream. It was as if a city as urbane and cosmopolitan as Astenbury itself had been plucked from the land by the hand of God and placed upon holy land only the heavens could sustain.

  Like all other cities in Rypsy, Sky Blue was circular, entrenched by an immense wall that Micah presumed fulfilled no other purpose but to present a majestic example of architectural supremacy. As the Preeto drew closer, Olivia told him some of the city’s particulars. It was older than the country, and even older than Carnel, long a home to the wealthy, prestigious, and elite. While Rypsy possessed official control of the city, Sky Blue maintained its own council and determined its own laws, including who could live there or conduct business. It featured eight distinct districts, each one possessing its own specific culture and heritage. Micah could easily see the divisions. To the South, tall buildings rivaling the Twin Cities’ monoliths rose high into the sky, but toward the center of the city, they disappeared. Instead, forested crags rose to form immense mountains, through which rivers tumbled, waterfalls cascaded, and small towns formed where habitable.

  “Incredible,” Micah said, leaning against the railing. “It’s like an entire country, clustered together into a city and secluded from the world.”

  “Wait ‘til we get there,” Charlotte replied, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “It’s beyond imagination.”

  It didn’t take long for the Preeto to pull alongside the wall and elevate to a position higher than the upper reaches of the ancient fortification. Below, Micah saw many people walk cobbled streets in what Jasper identified as the Warehouse District. Rectangular silos dominated the sightlines and smog lingered in the air, making it appear an industrial place, but over the expanse of gray storehouses, Micah could see beaches and palm trees from the adjacent Tropic District.

  It was amusing, fascinating, astonishing. Such distinct divisions, almost as if they were divided by actual lines. A large outcropping appeared directly ahead of the ship, and Micah quickly discerned it to be the port of their destination. The masts began to protest with large quantities of wind as the ship slowed and pulled into another warehouse-like building, which Olivia informed him was called a ‘hangar.’ Several other Skyline boats were moored inside. The Preeto found an empty dock and settled itself down on the flat stone of the sky wharf.

  “I spoke with the captain,” Jasper said as the passengers began funneling toward the gangplank, already bustling with excitement. “We were supposed to dock in the Star District, but because of the incident, he decided to put in at the closest available station. He’s going to arrange transport for everyone.”

  “Good thing,” Charlotte said. “We’ll want to be away from here as soon as possible. The Warehouse District is the only part of Sky Blue possessing no merit.”

  “Yes, it only keeps the city suspended and operating,” Olivia said dryly.

  As they disembarked, Micah asked Olivia what she meant. He had so many questions, it might have been impossible to run out. How did the city stay afloat? Who or what put the city into the sky, and why? What part did the Warehouse District play to keep the city ‘suspended and operating,’ as she stated?

  She tried her best to explain what she knew to him, but admitted she’d never even considered half of his questions. Her attempts did little to satiate his hunger for answers. He was so amazed by the city, he knew it would have taken perhaps years to fully grasp all its intricacies.

  Carriages were ordered for the passengers, and one was soon provided for their party. Before sitting, Charlotte produced her parasol and propped the delicate device on her shoulder. Olivia did likewise and suggested heading south to the Tropic District, but Jasper and Charlotte smiled surreptitiously to each other.

  “Actually, let’s go the other way,” Charlotte replied, still smiling as if she and Jasper shared a secret. “We’ll save that district for last.”

  “Why?” her sister asked. “It’s so close right now.”

  “Oh, you’re as bad as Micah! Can’t you just embrace a surprise for once?”

  Now Micah and Olivia glanced at each other, frowning.

  It wasn’t very long before they were riding yet another wagon along the “waterfront” – the lane between the city’s edge and the outermost warehouses. Workers filled the district, bustling as any other workers would in a normal industrial area: filling shipments, packaging and storing various wares, and transporting them to the docks for export. Yet on the other side of their wagon existed a sheer drop to the ground below. Standing up, Micah could actually see over the edge and down to drifting clouds and oblivion beyond.

  “Inconceivable,” he said.

  “I knew you’d love it,” Charlotte said happily, watching him as he leaned over the carriage’s side to get the best view possible.

  Micah’s interest piqued anew when the carriage came onto a bridge crossing over a small, man-made river. The water flowed through a thick, rusted grate and over the wall with a rushing crash.

  “Where does that water go?” he asked, pointing. “Does it drop all the way to the ground like rain? Or does it get caught somehow and brought back into the city? And what’s the source? What is the river’s purpose?”

  “Holy crystals, man!” Jasper complained, rubbing his forehead. “How are we supposed to know those things? Can’t you just soak in the mystery of it all in silence?”

  Micah sat back, disappointed. He was sure he might explode from curiosity.

  Charlotte patted his arm, chuckling. “Jasper’s right, Micah. You’re going to hurt yourself. Just enjoy it!”

  From the Warehouse District, they entered the Star District, which featured all the tall buildings Micah had seen in the distance. Following that was the Lumineer District, the Waterfall District, then the charming, but dubiously named Thieves District. In each location, the wagon stopped for sightseeing, and they were treated to a whole host of spectacles. Shops with items for sale that Micah had never seen before, rolling grass concourses where local lords rode horses and their children played noble games, and mansions so exquisite, Applewood seemed a slum in comparison.

  And with each new delight, Micah was eager to ask new questions, but he held his tongue as best he could. It proved extremely difficult, so instead of focusing on them, he turned to the other task at hand. Throughout the day, when Charlotte and Jasper were distracted, Olivia engaged Micah, giving him advice or assignments concerning their plan. And regardless of how odd the tasks she set to him sounded, he decided to trust her.

  In the Lumineer District, while they watched horse races from grandstands overlooking the park, Micah bought Charlotte ice cream from a nearby vendor, which she accepted with elation. He considered it a double victory because Jasper seemed incensed that he hadn’t thought to do it first.

  In the Glory High District, as they toured the Sky Blue Observatory and its magnificent telescope, Olivia gave him a few lines of poetry from one of her books that he could recite to Charlotte. The text itself was a complete riddle to him, but Olivia told him it was romantic and that her sister would understand it. However, as Charlotte was admiring the telescope and he turned to articulate the poem to her, she gave him an odd look and then a laugh.

  The afternoon consisted of subsequent hits and misses. On one hand, Micah was feeling bolder and more confident with each successive victory. And Jasper’s own increasing attempts to woo Charlotte provided conclusiveness to what was at stake. They were competing for Charlotte’s affection, and he wouldn’t give up. But on the other hand, he was worried, because his collective actions were completely different than anything he’d ever done before, and Charlotte wasn’t stupid. He was sure she must have recognized it, and perhaps that was a good thing. Even so, he was anxious. And his fears were realized in the Ancient District.

  The southern region was almost deserted, yet it proved to be Micah’s favorite location thus far. Thick pine forests grew as the hilly land allowed them to, and red-dirt paths cut through lush grass, curving along the city’s edges. It was cold, with a different-feeling breeze, as if the gusts respected this place and dared not trespass too far. The air merely coursed through the pastures in a calming lull, hinted with a pleasant moisture that coated each blade of grass in frosty dew.

  Squirrels and chipmunks occasionally scampered up trees, and birds took to the sky as their carriage passed through, but the only sign of human life Micah saw were the shepherds. Men in brown cloaks tended to the oddest flocks he’d ever seen. The animals were like sheep, but longer. Their coats were whiter than snow, but they had red faces, as if their heads had been dipped in dye. And each sheep possessed a pair of feathery wings. Most of the creatures grazed as any sheep would do, but every now and then, one of them would fly off. The shepherd would then raise a crooked staff lined with Element Stones. A brisk wind would catch the creature, and he expertly directed it back to the flock. According to Jasper, the sheep were special in that their milk was delicious and their wool was prized around the world for its softness.

  At a fork in the road, Charlotte ordered the wagon to pull off to the side. A smaller path wound up a grassy hill and into another forest, and she suggested taking a walk. They all agreed it was a great idea and followed her in getting out. Predictably, Jasper quickly took a place by her side as they walked, leaving Micah and Olivia to trail behind them.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Olivia growled behind her breath before leaning into Micah. “So, how’s it going so far?” she whispered.

  He nodded. “Okay. But uncertainty still surrounds me.”

  “We need to get you alone with her. I have a plan.”

  Micah listened intently as Olivia explained what she had in mind. He frowned, thinking it was the worst plan in the world. Still, he agreed to it. There was no use in doubting her now.

  At a bend in the road, where the land again came to an end and the sky in all its expanse appeared before them, she nodded to Micah, and he quickened his pace to catch up to Jasper and Charlotte. Meanwhile, Olivia trailed behind, then dashed into the wood until out of sight. Moments later, her voice called out to them.

  “Jasper! Jasper!”

  The others stopped and turned, looking for her.

  When Charlotte couldn’t see her, she quickly became afraid. “Olive?” she called back, searching the forest. “Where are you?”

  “I’m stuck. Jasper, I need you!”

  Charlotte grabbed Micah’s arm and was about to go looking for her, when Jasper blocked her path.

  “Don’t worry, Char,” he said, flashing a heroic grin. “I’ll find her.”

  “Oh, there’s no need, Jasper. I’m sure Micah can take care of it.”

  “Well I believe your little sister is calling for me,” he said proudly. “I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

  Micah’s eyebrows rose as Jasper sauntered back down the path in search of Olivia. Her plan actually worked.

  When he was out of sight, Charlotte turned to look at Micah, worry still filling her expression.

  “She’s fine,” Micah said.

  His words seemed to calm her. She smiled and nodded, turning off the path toward the drop-off. He followed her. Shortly, they stood beside a white-picket fence running along the cliff. Clouds still drifted across the sky, sometimes trailing over the land and consuming the forest in its hazy folds.

  “This is still almost too hard to believe,” he said. “We’re standing in this beautiful place, miles in the sky. It makes me believe there really is nothing impossible in the world.”

  Charlotte hummed her agreement, leaning against the fence. “So are you going to tell me what’s going on with you today?”

  He looked at her. A knowing smile, playful yet guarded, came to her lips. She twirled her parasol and tilted her head as she waited for his answer. Her hair and dress drifted on the breeze, a red and gold river against the blue horizon. His heart began to beat very fast, and he swallowed hard, trying not to give himself away.

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “Oh come on. You must know what I mean. It’s like… you’re a different person today.”

  “I’m the same now as I was yesterday.”

  “I don’t mean in a bad way or anything!” she said quickly. “I just meant all the compliments, and the poetry, and all the wonderful attention you’ve paid to me today. Of course, you’ve always been my white… or rather black knight.” She flashed her brilliant smile. “But today has just been… different, and so I wondered.”

  Micah looked her in the eyes. “Should I not do such things for a woman I care about?”

  Her smile melted away, and her eyes grew wider than the moon’s finest splendor. She drew closer to him. “N-no… you’re right. Such things are perfectly normal among friends who care about each other.”

  “Just friends?” he asked.

  The question hung between them with incredible might. She looked away, biting her lip, and he noticed her chest rising and falling with greater effort. As the sun began its descent, the evening rays bathed her face in an incredible glow. And in a revelation he couldn’t begin to understand, but so powerful it would have been impossible to deny, Micah found himself wanting to kiss her.

  Such an act had never been relevant to him before. Kissing seemed an archaic and useless act, but now this new desire was the most potent thing in existence. Her lips seemed a force calling him to obedience, urging his own mouth to hers. It took everything in him not to.

  “Not just with friends,” she finally replied.

  Without his conscious consent, he came closer to her, and she held her breath, looking up at him. Her face flushed, and those eyes that never failed to torment him coursed with blue and purple fire. She clutched to his shirt as he stood over her, searching her face… wondering if he should act on what every fiber urged him to do. To abandon his nature, pull down his mask without another thought and—

  “Charlotte?” Jasper called out.

  Micah’s stomach turned as the cursed man’s call came from somewhere beyond the wood, searching for her. She took a step back, blinking furiously. Her hand clutched the parasol so tight, her knuckles blanched.

  “We’re here,” she called out weakly.

  She looked at Micah. He would not have been surprised if, despite his mask, she could still somehow see the immense disappointment. When Jasper appeared behind a clump of bushes, Micah scowled at him. He’d never despised the man more.

  It was evening when the party arrived in the Tropic District, the last of the eight. Beaches without a sea faced the setting sun, dotted with palm trees. Since there was no ocean, clear pools had been constructed intermittently within the sandy stretches, as far as the eye could see. Paved roads drove further inland to bustling market places, frond-lined cantinas, and immense bridges leading up to various small huts and other dwellings.

  The visitors and inhabitants of Sky Blue City were largest in number here, as it was the city’s tourist hub. Even so, it wasn’t unpleasantly crowded. Jasper had the carriage pull into a stable near a small plaza. Ten separate bridges branched from the square, some leading back to the shoreline while others directed people to the various abodes overlooking the beaches. What Micah marveled most was the weather. It wasn’t hot whatsoever. According to Olivia, Astenbury’s mighty Blessing Pole also directed the winds in Sky Blue.

  “So, why did we come here last again?” Olivia complained. “We could have gone to the beach, but it’s too late now.”

  “We’ll do that tomorrow,” Charlotte replied happily.

  “Tomorrow? You mean we’re not going home tonight?”

  Jasper laughed. “Why do that when my family owns property here?”

  Olivia blinked rapidly. “Really?”

  He pointed toward one of the bridges. It wound up around a sandy knoll toward a shack, the highest in the area. The small, but well-built domicile featured a flat roof of palm fronds and an open porch lined with torches.

  “There she is. We can sleep overnight and return to Astenbury tomorrow. There’s… uh, only a few beds, but we can share.”

  He winked at Charlotte, who rolled her eyes and giggled. “If you’re excited about snuggling up with Micah tonight, be my guest.” She stifled a yawn. “My goodness. I just realized how tired I am. It’s been a really long day.”

  “But the night is just beginning!” Jasper protested with a flair of his hand. “It’s not even completely dark yet.”

  “Well, I won’t say no to a nightcap,” she replied with a puckish grin. “But I’m definitely not up for more walking right now. We’ll have lots of time for mulling the district tomorrow.”

  He feigned disappointment. “I suppose that shall have to suffice. Although, now that I think of it, the hut is stocked with some excellent wines.” He offered his arm to her. “Shall we?”

  “You two go ahead,” Olivia said suddenly. “I want to get a few things, so I will have Micah escort me.”

  “What things?” Charlotte asked. “If you’re worried about pajamas, Jasper made certain we would have everything we needed beforehand.”

  “Yes, that’s it. Pajamas. I’d rather buy my own. No offense, Jasper, but I can’t possibly know where the ones you provide come from.”

  Jasper shrugged. “None taken. I don’t have any idea either.”

  Charlotte’s lip turned up in repulsion. “Get some for me, too, Olive.”

  Jasper laughed and took her hand, leading her toward the bridge.

  After taking a few moments to watch them, Micah turned to Olivia. “Pajamas?” he repeated.

  “I needed an excuse, and Charlotte gave me one,” she replied simply. “I think you have to make your move now.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Jasper is getting bolder. And it’s making me a little nauseous. Aren’t you sick of it, too?”

  He nodded. “Indeed. And I believe you are right. This might be my best opportunity. Your plan in the Ancient District worked very well.”

  “Okay good. So, here’s the final step.” She pointed to a nearby vendor. “Buy Charlotte some flowers and then go up and ask her to take a walk. If Jasper tries to tag along, tell him you need to discuss something important regarding her safety. Then, when you find a place where you’re alone with her, give her the flowers and ask her to be your girlfriend.”

  “Where will you be?”

  She grinned. “Buying pajamas, of course. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. And if Charlotte asks, just tell her I’m safe. She’ll believe it, coming from you.”

  “Okay…”

  “What’s wrong? You don’t like the plan?”

  “It’s fine… I suppose I’m just… I guess this feeling is what you could call ‘being nervous.’ I fear her reply might be something other than what I am hoping for. But I have no reason to doubt your advice. It has been sound until this point.”

  “Good. Now hurry before the stand closes.”

  She turned and made her way further into the marketplace, leaving him alone.

  Micah exhaled. A small shiver went through him, and he moved his legs to shake away the jitters. He passed through the loitering tourists to stand before the small flower shop. A woman with matted hair snoozed in a rocking chair behind the counter.

  There were several varieties of flowers and plants for sale, from the tropical to the seasonal, and everything in between. Micah was able to identify every species, but he had no knowledge in regard to their popularity. Olivia told him women loved getting flowers, but that each one said something different. That meant a bouquet of all the wrong flowers could injure his cause, and maybe even offend Charlotte.

  He sighed. His first inclination was to wait for Olivia to come back so she could help him, but he quickly realized that wasn’t what he desired. As foolish as it sounded, he wanted the flowers to be from him. If flowers could speak wordless messages, maybe Charlotte would understand his feelings, regardless of the arrangement.

  So he began choosing. Some daffodils here, some roses there. A few lilies of various colors, a patch of daisies and a just-blossomed gardenia, white as snow. He took a bit of string from the counter and tied them all together by the stems. Turning the makeshift bouquet around, Micah frowned and shook his head. They just looked like a bunch of plants to him. Would this really impress Charlotte? And even if they didn’t, would the effort at least be enough to convince her of his affections?

  He swallowed, feeling even more frustrated. He was utterly alone in this. Despite Olivia’s advice, what it really boiled down to was that he didn’t know what he was doing. The why of it all – why did any of this work? Since realizing how he felt about Charlotte, he’d never been so uncomfortable, and the world never seemed bigger. It was… intimidating, being confronted with so many things he didn’t understand.

  Yet, he understood one thing, now more than ever: he wanted to be with Charlotte. That thought gave him courage. Their encounter in the Ancient District was real, and he was sure that Charlotte must have felt the same way. Or at least… he wanted to believe it. Whatever the case, he knew that stepping aside and letting Jasper have her without a fight just wasn’t an option.

  He had to try, if for nothing else than to learn what it means to be rejected.

  *       *       *

  “Oh, it’s gorgeous!” Charlotte exclaimed.

  “It is, isn’t it?” Jasper replied with a smile, lighting some nearby candles.

  She ran her hand along the bartop, admiring all the features of the Flights’ home in Sky Blue. The hut sat on the ledge of a small outcropping overlooking the beaches. A walkway of driftwood wound around the domicile to a small makeshift door at the side that led to an open area. Inside, hardwood floors had been constructed around a fully stocked bar that featured an immense wine rack lacking in empty cubbies. Orange paper torches were strung over the short counter, which was lined with padded stools. On one side, a sliding glass door led to an enclosed area where two bedrooms and a bath had been constructed. The other side was completely open to the night air, as if someone forgot to build the fourth wall. A pair of chairs overlooked the short drop to the beach, a perfect view of the sunset just as it disappeared on the horizon

  She breathed in the warm, salty goodness and sat in one of the stools. “I bet land like this costs a small fortune.”

  “A large fortune,” he corrected. “But it’s been in the Flight family for generations. Which has been both a blessing and a curse. You can imagine how much fighting it’s caused within the ranks.”

  She tapped her nose and winked at him. “Oh yes.”

  “Of course, that’s not to say my family isn’t wealthy,” he said quickly. “We’re very well off. Better than any other time in our history. The woman I marry will never have to worry about anything ever again.”

  She hummed with a smile, rocking her legs in contentedness. “If only happiness could be governed by money,” she said breezily.

  “Yes… quite…” He blinked a few times before smiling again and moving behind the bar. “Of course, there are other methods to offer comfort.” He picked up a rag and tossed it over his shoulder, then pinched his fingers together and began rubbing an imaginary mustache. “What’ll it be, miss?”

  She laughed. “A glass of the red. Nothing expensive, mind you.”

  “Tut, tut! For the beautiful Charlotte Goodsteel, only the best!” He reached for a dusty bottle of wine on the rack and produced two glasses. “I’ve been saving this bottle just for you.”

  “How flattering!” she said, laying her elbows on the counter and holding her head. “I’m now hoping extra super hard it doesn’t taste terrible.”

  He laughed heartily as he poured. “I really missed this, Char. I know you were only gone a few months, but it was terribly lonely without you. I don’t know if I could handle you leaving me again. You should have seen how I sulked, wandering about town like a moaning ghost.”

  Her eyebrow rose with a teasing smile. “Katelyn Devereaux has been telling me otherwise.”

  “Katelyn?” he repeated, tugging his collar. “What lies has she been spreading?”

  “True ones, probably. You always were a man about town.”

  He folded his arms with playful contempt. “You know as well as I that dallying with a woman and pursuing her are two completely different things. Or am I not speaking to the world’s foremost expert in flirting?”

  She gasped zealously. “Mr. Flight, I have no idea what you are talking about. The mere accusation offends my very honor!”

  They looked at each other and a short moment later burst into laughter. And it wasn’t long until they were bantering like always, just as they had since they were kids. Charlotte mused happily to herself that he was right. This was definitely something she would miss.

  Jasper finished off his second glass of wine, and offered her a second one, which she accepted, before pouring himself a third. “Now in all seriousness, Char, I really do think you should consider staying in Astenbury. Why should you have to go back to Carnel just for school?”

  “It’s complicated,” she replied with a sigh. “It surely wasn’t my idea. Daddy wanted me to go… so I went.”

  “You could stay with me,” he said with wide eyes, taking her hand. “You know my home is always open for you.”

  “And estrange myself further from my family?” She shook her head sadly. “I just can’t do that. Whatever my parents have decided, I must agree to it. The last thing I want is to disappoint them further.” She lifted her head, firmly pursing her lips. “No, I’m going to stick it out.”

  “So two more years of school in Carnel?”

  Charlotte tried hard not to grimace. Sort of. More like two more years of pretending to go to school while actually avoiding Carnel and all other familiar land entirely.

  “That seems a hard pill to swallow,” Jasper continued, shaking his head. “I don’t know how you could handle being away from home for so long.”

  “Well, it’s not all bad,” she said cheerfully. “Carnel is truly a wonderful place. And Micah’s always with me.”

  “Ah yes. Mister Bottomless-pit-of-questions.”

  She chuckled. “He’s definitely a curious cat.”

  “Curious? The man made me want to pluck my eyes out. I don’t know how you can stand being with him for so long.”

  He wrapped the rag around his face so that only his left eye was showing. Reaching out his hand and striking a pose, he lowered his voice to a brooding level and narrowed his eye. “Why do we breathe air? Why does man walk on feet? And what is this thing you call… food?”

  Charlotte began to giggle. “Oh my gosh, you sound just like him!”

  Seeing her turn red from fits, he turned it on, pointing a finger at an invisible person. “You should have refused to fly, captain. If I wasn’t on this ship… all the passengers would be having a good time. As skipper, you are responsible for making sure everybody around me is as stoic and tedious as I am.”

  Jasper had Micah’s voice down perfectly. She began to laugh in hysterics, supporting herself on the counter, and he joined her. A stitch developed in her side, and she struggled to breathe properly.

  At that moment, there came a creaking noise near the door. They both turned, but it didn’t open.

  “Hello?” Jasper called, recovering from his bout of laughter.

  When no reply came, he removed the cloth from his face and made for the door to open it. But no one was there. After a quick check, he was about to close it again when he noticed something on the ground.

  “What is it?” Charlotte asked, now reduced to persistent giggles.

  He closed the door and came back to her, holding up what he found. “The ugliest bouquet of flowers I’ve ever seen,” he said with a laugh. “It was just sitting on the walkway. I mean look at this thing.”

  “Oh, it’s not that bad,” she replied. “It’s got all my favorite flowers. I think it’s quite nice.”

  “Well then,” he said with a bow, offering the flowers up. “These are for you.”

  “Why thank you!” she said, laughing again. She took the flowers and smelled them. “How odd. I wonder who put them there?”

  “What does it matter? Now, where were we?” He put a finger to his chin. “Oh, that’s right! We were making fun of your incredibly boring bodyguard.”

  “Hey now!” Charlotte said quickly. “I’ll admit, you do a great impersonation of Micah, but he’s the farthest thing from boring.”

  “Oh c’mon, Char. You have to admit he’s a bit of a wet blanket.”

  “I’ll admit nothing of the sort! It may be true that Micah makes a terrible first impression, but once you get to know him, you’ll realize how wonderful he is.” She smiled warmly, clasping the flowers close to her chest. “If only you knew, Jasper. Micah is the kindest, gentlest, most amazing person I’ve ever known. He would cross the earth for me, and he’s never once failed to protect me or come for me when I needed him. He’s… quickly becoming the most important person in my life.”

  Jasper’s face contorted with anger. He stood in silence, squeezing the rag in his hand.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  He looked away. A silence came between them, as he seemed to be coming to some sort of decision. Finally, he inhaled sharply and looked back at her.

  “Charlotte, you know that I’ve always loved you, right?”

  If not for the open air, the silence between them would have been deafening. Charlotte’s eyes drooped, and her lips formed a sad smile.

  “Yes. I realized,” she replied quietly.

  His eyes furrowed. “But I’m not good enough?”

  “It’s not that. Not really. It’s just…”

  He drew close and took her hands. “What? What is it?”

  She looked up at him. “When I left for Carnel, you loved me then, too. Right?”

  “Yes!”

  “Then why didn’t you come after me? Why didn’t you keep me from going?”

  He looked horrified, letting her hands go and backing away. “Are you crazy? You were ordered to go by your father, one of the most powerful men in Rypsy! You were surrounded by a dozen of the finest bodyguards. Did you expect me to come after you, despite all that?”

  “Yes.”

  His expression plummeted, but Charlotte’s was steady. Even still, she had dreaded when they would have this conversation. It was the only answer she could give him.

  She’d already waited for Jasper. She had watched for him on the horizon as she was all but forcibly escorted from her homeland. But like all the others, Jasper never came back for her. She wasn’t worth it.

  Her whole life, a shadow had been cast over her head, dark and nefarious, seeking to end her existence for the power she was born with. And she realized early on that she could only be with a man who was strong enough to be there for her. Who could protect her, despite the dangers and daunting future that awaited, and loved her enough to do so.

  Because otherwise, that man would die. The curse of her eyes would inevitably demand it. And Jasper had proved he couldn’t be that man. She wasn’t enough, and he wasn’t strong enough, and that was all she needed to know.