Above the Winter Skies [English Version]

9

"What happened to your parents?" Cassiel asked.

By then, we had received our food—a huge plate of exotic vegetables I had never seen before but tasted truly divine; they likely originated from Araboth. We attempted conversation, but it was somewhat slow-going as I still felt inhibited, despite the angel allowing me to speak and ask questions.

"I don't know," I said. "I can't remember. I was two at the time. All I know is that they suddenly disappeared, and I had to leave my home. I ended up in Hjartvik with Eldrid, who took me in."

"Where did you live before, with your parents?"

I shrugged. I had no idea; Eldrid had never told me. Perhaps she didn't even know herself. As far as I knew, she didn't know my parents. Landing with her had been a stroke of luck. I was an orphan, must have stayed briefly in a home in Skaldengard, and they weren't particularly picky about foster parents; they were just glad to place one of the children. At least, that was my guess.

"I think it was somewhere in the south," I said. That had been my assumption my whole life: I hated the cold in the north so much that I was sure my parents must have come from Solhart.

Cassiel circled thoughtfully with his fork on his plate.

"Why are you on the ship?" I blurted out. My cheeks reddened. He had allowed me to ask, yet it still felt disrespectful.

"Even angels are allowed to take a vacation," he replied, his eyes twinkling merrily.

"Yes, but you're not a normal angel," I said.

God, could this get any more uncomfortable?

"I mean... you live and work in the palace."

He laughed. "I see you've done your research on me. I'm pleased to hear that, and your interest in me honors me. You're right, I'm not just an ordinary citizen of Araboth, but its regent. Even heads of state are allowed to travel."

I felt foolish and lowered my gaze. Then he continued, a little softer: "But of course, there are other reasons why I'm on the Aetheria. One of them is that I had a few visits to Irdysia to take care of and could combine business with pleasure. The other reason I can't tell you. It involves political matters I cannot discuss."

"Have you been on many cruiseships before?"

The question that really burned under my skin, though, was: Had he ever gotten closer to Avah on another ship?

His answer surprised me, however. "No, the Aetheria is the first and probably the last, at least for the foreseeable future. As regent, I don't have much time for vacations, and besides, I prefer to stay in Araboth to make sure everything is in order. Being away for a month now and delegating my tasks makes me nervous."

It surprised me that he openly admitted his weakness. It also made him more approachable—and the fact that this was his first cruise relieved me more than it should have. Because it meant that there had really never been anything between him and Avah.

I took a big sip of the wine Cassiel had ordered me to brace myself for my next question. The sensible part of me advised against bringing up the subject again. But there was another part of me that found all of this incredibly exciting and wanted to learn more about it. And who knew when I would get the chance to speak with Cassiel alone again? After all, I wouldn't accept his offer. Or would I?

"Why... why would you want that?" I asked. My voice sounded far too thin, and I felt my ears grow hot.

"Want what?"

"That... thing you offered me. Why? I mean... why in that way?" I wasn't entirely sure, but my face must have been glowing like one of the ice apples in Nevins' garden.