she couldn't get out of that room fast enough.
"That guy was a jerk," she snarled as they stepped into the hall, well aware they were in a foreign house where their every move would be watched, and not caring. King Sylas had spent most of the night mentally dissecting her, making Cassi feel every inch the strange owl girl raised by doves as he searched for her secrets. It was best to pretend she had nothing to hide.
"What did you expect?" Xander laughed softly, subtly shaking his head. "Lyana dishonored his daughter by picking me at the trials and breaking our match. His son was made a fool by coming home without a mate. We're lucky he agreed to let us into his city, let alone invited us to dinner. The least I can do is bear the brunt of his frustration. It’s the first step to smoothing things over."
"Can you please, just this once, not see the good in everyone?"
He cast a sidelong glance in her direction. "Would it make you feel better if I called him an arrogant ass?"
"Yes. It would."
"Very well. He's an arrogant ass."
As she opened her mouth to applaud him, Xander continued.
"But he's also a king, which means he's an arrogant ass whose wrath I have no choice but to suffer. It's one of the pitfalls of diplomacy—you don't always get to choose whose feathers you need to preen."
"Then thank the gods I'm not royal."
"I shudder to think what would happen to the kingdom if you were."
Cassi rolled her eyes and elbowed him gently in the ribs. "Lyana would've thought the same as me had she been here, and she would've said as much."
"I know." A frown passed briefly over his lips before the edges twisted up. "But Lyana would've done so in such a charming manner the king would've walked away not knowing if he'd been deeply insulted or heartily praised."
"Are you saying I lack charm?" Humor colored her words.
Xander stopped walking and turned toward her. "I'm saying you're honest, and I mean that as a compliment."
If you only knew.
It took every ounce of strength she possessed to hide how his words struck like a well-placed dagger, cutting straight to the core. Before her façade cracked, she turned to the side and stared out the window at the city of Rynthos. It was so much more vibrant than she recalled, her spirit body not quite able to experience the richness of the world the way her true body could. Amber light flickered over the stone formations, stalactites and stalagmites created from water long since dried by the isles rising into the sky. The flutter of wings sent a warm vibration through the air, the sensation wrapping around her like an embrace. No matter if she'd grown up in another house, no matter if she'd never before stepped foot in this underground world—something about this place whispered to her soul. For the first time in her life, she was an owl among owls. She belonged. Perhaps most importantly, the musty smell of books called out to her, murmuring of stolen lives and borrowed adventures, a scent that almost felt like home.
An idea sparked as she stared at the winding staircases of this hidden library, almost as though Lyana were standing right next to her, poking her in the ribs.
She turned to Xander. "Come with me."
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
With two steps and a leap, Cassi soared out the window. Her wings caught her, and she glided over rooftops, making for the column nearest to the castle. She landed easily on the steps carved into the stone, smiling when she heard the scuffle of feet on the stair behind her. She hadn’t been sure he'd follow.
"Cassi," Xander hissed, voice alarmed.
Oh, Xander, you sweet, rule-abiding prince, welcome to my world.
"Cassi, what are you doing?"
Instead of answering, she raced up the steps to the first platform she came upon and tested the door. The knob didn't budge.
Damn.
Cassi bit her lip, darting her gaze left then right. No one from the castle had come running after them, though they'd undoubtedly been seen leaving. It was as much permission as she required. Cassi slipped her hand into one of the pockets hidden along the seam of her gown, pulled out a thin needle, and stuck it inside the lock.
"Cassi!"
"What?" She wriggled the pick. "Don't you want to see what's inside?"
"Yes, but…" A battle took place within his eyes, the good boy versus the eager scholar, two warring sides of equal