he made no sign of understanding. Instead he kept his back to Alcander, carefully placing down two more plates.
“Hey!” Alcander yelled, holding out his plate. “You. Shifter. This is not acceptable.”
Drustan looked down. “It looked acceptable enough for you to eat most of it.”
Alcander slammed the plate into the ground at Drustan’s feet. It shattered, sending shards of glass spiraling outwards. Reaching out his hand, Alcander hit Drustan in the gut with magic, sending him flying into a tree.
“Do not question me,” Alcander roared.
Drustan pulled himself to his feet, sputtering with anger. “You have already tricked me in to wearing this,” he snarled, holding up his bracelet-wrapped wrist. “And now you expect me to serve you as well?” Two Shifters rushed over, each taking one of Drustan’s arms, shaking their heads before glaring at Alcander.
“Go,” Alcander yelled. “Get him out of here. Don’t let me see his face again, or you will all suffer.”
The two Shifters dragged a kicking and sputtering Drustan away from the dinner table. Kiora’s heart was beating in her throat, and it was everything she could do to remain seated. Alcander walked back to her chair and looked down at her. “Are you finished?”
“Yes,” she said, placing the napkin on the table.
“Join me.” It was not a question. He held out his elbow.
She swallowed and stood, linking her arm with his.
“Please enjoy the rest of your dinner,” Alcander said to the table of silent onlookers. The group inclined their heads to their Prince and obediently turned their attention back to their plates as he led Kiora away.
Once they were out of earshot, Alcander said, “Hopefully that will give the Shifters something to trust.” They took a few more silent steps. “Did I upset you?”
Her stomach was in knots, sick with worry for Drustan. “No.”
“You are a horrible liar.”
“I haven’t had a lot of practice.”
Alcander led Kiora up the slanted path to the dreaded bridge. But mercifully he led her past it and around a loop on the cliff face.
“Where are we going?” she finally asked.
“Almost there.”
They followed the loop around the backside of the valley wall. The ledge grew thinner until she was forced to place one foot carefully in front of the other. She ran her hand along the rock wall until they reached a lookout hidden at the very back. Alcander sat down, his legs hanging over the side, and motioned for her to join him.
Sitting down next to him, she followed his gaze. The valley stretched out before them, the bridge looking more quaint than scary. The river ran its way through the middle as the people milled about, getting ready for the night. Lamps were being lit by the winged people. They flew from torch to torch, their giant, white wings magnificent in the low light. The strange mix of people was somehow less strange from up here. Instead, it was a beautiful tapestry of shapes, colors, skin, scales, and feathers. Glancing sideways, she watched Alcander’s relaxed face as his hair blew in the breeze, fluttering off his shoulders. She wished Emane could see this softer side of Alcander.
But then Alcander spoke. “Tell me of your home.”
It wasn’t a request, but a sharp, cold demand. She snorted, shaking her head. “Welcome back.”
“What?”
Leaning back on her elbows, she swung her feet. “I was thinking how I wished Emane could get to know you—the you I’ve seen lately—but then you lash out with ‘tell me of your home,’” Kiora said, imitating him as best she could.
His lips twisted. “You are infuriating.”
“I could say the same about you. I never know what to expect. At least I’m consistent,” she added, struggling not to laugh. He apparently did not find it as funny as she did. “What happened?” she said, sitting up. “You have been almost normal, and now—”
“I am curious about your home, that is all,” he interrupted. “But if you don’t want to tell me, we can go.” He stood abruptly, brushing off his pants and staring into the valley.
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t tell you, but you could ask nicer.”
He swallowed before he sat back down. The silence was awkward. “It has been a long time since anyone demanded kindness from me.”
“Kindness should always be demanded,” she said softly. “It is deserved.” Glancing over at him, she asked, “What would you like to know?”
“This Meros—is it really a valley of humans?”
She nodded. They both settled against the wall, looking over a valley now alight with the blaze of fires.