deep, rich amber with pinpricks of black. Massive blue wings arched over his shoulders and flanked his sides, somehow both beautiful and menacing.
Once I’d asked Momma if I could touch an avian’s wings, and she’d turned bright red before escorting me to my bedroom to tell me that I absolutely could not, should not, ever, ever, ever ask to touch an avian’s wings. It was considered an “unwanted advance.” Whatever that meant. Momma had refused to explain.
Saxon’s image blurred. How I missed my mother. Because of Queen Charlotte, I’d known deep, abiding love. I wouldn’t trade our days together for anything, especially not a lessening of this pain. This pain said she’d lived a good life. This pain said she would be remembered.
This pain said I’d known life’s greatest gift—love.
Had Prince Saxon ever known that kind of love from his family?
I blinked and moved my attention to his mother and only sister—Queen Raven and Princess Tempest, who had come to pay their respects. They stood across from him, but they never looked his way or acknowledged his presence.
Why had they kicked him from his home as a child? Did they see him as my father saw me? Lacking? Or had he committed some kind of unforgivable crime?
How many times had my father complained about the avian and their tendency to address even the smallest offense with a severe punishment? Hurt an avian once, and they’d hurt you back—twice.
Over the years, I’d learned to be an excellent observer. I caught Prince Saxon casting a glance at his family, his expression flashing from impassive to longing to furious. Whatever had happened, he missed his loved ones, and my chest squeezed with sympathy.
My reaction to him did not go unnoticed. He must have sensed me. He dragged his gaze my way, and our eyes met. The fury faded, and he offered me a sad half smile. He was so beautiful. Like one of the statues has come to life.
Out of habit, I reached up to stroke the ring that hung around my neck. A gift from Momma, and my most cherished possession. The band was made of metal, with a rose etched into the center.
The prince’s smile slowly faded into a frown. He narrowed his eyes, staring where my fingers wove through the chain. Fury pulsed from him anew, but this time, it wasn’t softened with longing. He balled his fists.
Tremors rushed through me. My father planted his hands on my shoulders, bent down and hissed, “Be still or be gone.”
I flinched, and he released me from his too-tight grip.
As the minutes ticked by, I tried to avoid glancing at Prince Saxon, I really did. But I had to know if the avian was still glaring at me or not. I must have been mistaken.
Oh, no. No mistake. He was glaring. But, but...why? What had I done to deserve such animosity, today of all days?
An hour ago, we’d exchanged a grand total of ten words. He’d looked at me strangely, as if he knew me but couldn’t quite place me, and said, “May you always find gold.” A common greeting in Sevón.
I’d curtsied and replied with the Fleuridian equivalent, “May your roses forever bloom.”
Still he glared.
As the heat from the coffin intensified, warmth throbbed in my cheeks and my insides melted into a nice Ashleigh stew. My lungs protested strongly, and I hunched over to ease my breathing. The new position did no good, however. Panic sprouted, parts of me icing.
Don’t you dare pass out. Not here, not now. Inhale. Exhale.
Behind me, fingers snapped, and I knew my father had summoned a guard to carry me back to the palace. To my room. To my bed. Where I would be forced to while away the day...the months...the years alone, without the kindness and caring of my beautiful mother.
A sob bubbled out, and there was no stopping it. “Please, Father. Don’t make me leave—”
“Be quiet.” He squeezed my shoulders with more force. “You will return to the palace, and that’s that.”
Abandon my mother before the funeral ended? Hardly. I wanted to be here until the last flame was extinguished. The guard would have to drag me kicking and screaming—
The guard picked me up and marched away, my frail body clutched to his chest. He did it with no resistance from me. I was too weak to fight.
Fighting fresh tears, I looked back. My gaze collided with Prince Saxon’s. Still he glared, watching me from beneath those narrowed lids, his long, black lashes nearly fused