Starsinger

Into the Wood

Felicity was waiting for him outside the barracks. "Little late for a nightcap."

Aaron paused, his pack hanging heavy on his shoulders. The night was easing into the dingy grey of pre-dawn. It had been hours since they'd left the First Office, and he had yet to sleep. "How did you know?"

"It's my job to know things."

He tried to smile, but Felicity just stared.

"You're leaving," she said. "Jace, too."

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Can't say."

Felicity cursed and spat. "Splitting a kyrsquad. Are things that desperate?"

Aaron didn't answer. She knew he couldn't. After a minute she stepped close and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Take care of him, yeah?" she whispered. "And come back soon."

He squeezed back. "Tell Whit and Mason we'll miss them."

Felicity nodded into his shoulder, then slipped away into the decaying night. Aaron tried to ignore the anxiety that rose like bile in his throat. We're leaving them without an archer or a striker, without their leader, just as Crolton ramps up its attack. Intel from the whisperers said Crolton was outfitting its armies and navies handsomely. Will they send the rest of our squad to fight alone? Team them up with Extras they've never met? Aaron wanted to stay and fight with them, but now he and Jace were running in the opposite direction. Running away.

At least I got to say goodbye to someone. The First Generals had insisted on absolute secrecy, which meant no word to anyone, squad or family. Felicity would tell Jace's parents that all was well, and make sure Aaron's sisters didn't worry too much about his unexpected absence. His own dad had been in the squads – he would understand better than most.

In the shadow of the western gate, three cloaked figures huddled. Aaron saw a glint of gold and ducked into a shadowed archway before he could walk straight into the king and queen wishing the princess goodbye.

The king hugged his daughter close for a long moment. The young woman was wearing a scholar's burgundy travel dress – a ploy to disguise her identity. Aaron was too far away to hear their muffled words of parting, but he could see the king's reluctance to pull away. The queen held out her hands and the princess took them with a stiff nod. They did not embrace.

Aaron saw Sapphire approaching their majesties from the other side and decided he'd waited long enough. He stepped out from his spot in the shadows as the king and queen retreated. The princess heard his footsteps and turned.

Aaron could not remember ever seeing a woman more beautiful. Princess Raelyn had the warm, tawny skin and dark auburn hair of a native Vlynnite, and assertive curves that drew the eye when she moved. Only her quick green eyes marked her as her father's child. Something about those eyes seemed oddly familiar.

Princess Raelyn grinned. "Ah, my drinking buddy."

Aaron froze in his tracks. "Princess?"

"You really do get the worst assignments. And it's Raelyn, please. Or mistress scholar, if you'd prefer. At least once we're outside these walls." She cocked her head when she saw Aaron staring, open-mouthed. "You don't remember? Pre-clinked?"

He struggled to locate his tongue. "I remember."

The princess was at the masquerade. The princess asked me about my family. The princess mocked the crown and I laughed, gods help me. This mission was not off to a particularly splendid start.