“Handsome. Admired. Your name known to every courtier and citizen in your kingdom.”
“And now?” Xandrian drawled, all arrogant callousness as he feigned more interest in his wine glass than Bell. But there was . . . something else in his tone too. A vulnerability behind that lazy smile.
“Now I see that, while on the outside you are all those things and more, on the inside you are empty, a fraud—and everything I aspire not to be.”
Other than the subtle tic of a muscle at Xandrian’s temple, his face remained as smug as always. “So . . . you admit you find me handsome?”
If Xandrian thought doubling down on the arrogance would work on Bell, he didn’t know her friend like she did.
Bell swept his gaze over the table with a confidence that made him seem five years older. “Goodnight. Haven, you can come by later if you want to discuss tomorrow. I have some thoughts on the portals.”
Nasira’s wings unfolded as she went after Bell, the glossy tip of one of her feathers accidentally knocking Xandrian’s wine into his lap.
Xandrian frowned at the spreading red stain. Then he casually reached for the crystal decanter and filled his glass again. “A shame,” he said. “I rather liked these pants, although the wine is only so-so.”
Ember snorted before getting to her feet. “I think I just remembered why there are no pompous males on our island.”
“There are no males on your island period,” Xandrian pointed out dryly. “It’s quite literally against the law for one to enter your kingdom, except on holidays and festivals.”
“Yes, well you just reminded me why.” Upper lip curled in disgust, she snatched the decanter from in front of Xandrian and then waved it around like a trophy. “Anyone without a useless appendage between their legs want to join me in the hot baths?”
Delphine and Bane rose simultaneously. After a heated conversation, Delphine cast an annoyed look toward Surai and signed something too fast for Haven to decipher.
Surai grinned. “Delphine said that while her brother’s appendage is most definitely useless, it’s also quite small and shouldn’t be a bother to anyone.”
Bane shot his sister a murderous look.
Ember stared pointedly at the body part in question and then shrugged.
Surai moved to join them before glancing back at Haven. “Coming? It may be the last night we have for a while like this.”
Without death and dying, Surai didn’t say. She didn’t have to. It was written over all their faces. The desperate need to enjoy tonight. To really live in this one rare, peaceful evening.
Haven wanted to go. It had been too long since they’d really hung out, or just talked like they used to.
In some ways, her life was so much lonelier now than before she was Goddess-Born.
But she couldn’t stomach drinking and having fun knowing what today signified for Stolas. Knowing the despair he must feel, even hundreds of years later.
She shook her head. “No, I think I’ll try to finally do that thing mortals call sleeping. But you guys have fun for me, okay? And take Demelza with you.”
“No,” her lady’s maid protested, her curls blowing around her head as she shook it. “I will stay with you.”
The way Demelza glared at Bane and Delphine, she probably suspected they were demons in disguise.
Haven gave Surai a pleading look. “Please? And make sure she has a good time.”
Whether Demelza would admit it or not, this place had been hard on her, and she needed a break.
Surai came around the table and planted a kiss on Haven’s head. “As you wish, Soror.” Her lavender eyes darted to a cursing Demelza. “You owe me big time for this. Sure you don’t want to come?”
Haven shook her head before she could change her mind.
“Fine. Just make sure this ‘sleep’ you mention doesn’t come with twisted horns, gorgeous wings, and a dark, brooding scowl, okay?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Haven teased, knowing full well her meaning.
Surai grunted beneath her breath as she hooked an arm under Demelza’s and tugged, coaxing her from her chair. Surai gave Haven one final look, mouthed, you owe me big time, and wrestled the cursing woman across the patio as they caught up to the others.
Haven watched them go, not even bothering to hide her envy.
Are they marching the witch to her death? Ravius asked, hopping onto Haven’s shoulder.
“Of course not,” she snapped, taking her jealousy out on him.
Shame.
“Excuse me?” Xandrian said.
Oh, right. Sometimes Haven forgot no one else could hear Ravius, and she