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It was nearly two months before Zhèmson looked at me without shadows in his eyes. Since that fateful night where I showed my hide and nearly lost him forever, he grew distant. He spent time alone, flying away from the tower. Away from me. I’d stand on the veranda of our room, watching him go, heartbroken.
I’d broken our trust. Our budding love.
I’d catch him looking at me, his lips bent in a frown, his brows furrowed in deep thought. So burning desperate I was to win this bargain, to get back to Elèor, that I’d willingly sacrificed all we had, regardless of the consequences. Gods. My greed had done this and I feared it was too late to fix it.
Since I was often left alone, I’d go walking inside the tower and out. Urien was a serene, cloudy haven. These days, I had nothing but clouds as my companion. Even the Vèrtu made it their business to avoid me. So much time alone meant my mind was sober. I was forced to sit with my thoughts. To face my actions.
Zhèmson asked me if I was willing to sell everything we’d shared for a parlor. The question haunted me these past months. To this day, I struggled with the answer.
He’d been attentive, kind, and loving. His patience with me was impressive. He was a skilled warrior who’d seen lifetimes. But when he held me, when we made love, he filled my every need without question. He took care of me as though I were his most precious treasure.
Despite all of that, I’d still called the Sky Watchers.
My stomach churned with guilt. The thought of him being sold like some bartered slave made me sick.
I had to decide: Elèor or Zhèmson. My past or my future.
A nagging thought refused to leave me alone. The Sky Watchers had promised me a way back home. A path to a new parlor that would rival any business in Elèor. A chance to carry Mother’s legacy and redeem our name. Our heritage.
But what if the three siblings had lied? I could see Nèrvanya’s face now, let alone Kiranon and Dèravhen. What if these angels were manipulating me the same way they wanted me to manipulate Zhèmson? I thought back to my original encounter with them. Quick, caged, full of demands. In my greed, I hadn’t taken time to consider the cons of the bargain.
Now, in the stillness of Urien, I saw how foolish I was. I didn’t completely regret my bargain because it had brought me to Zhèmson. But now I was stuck in this gods-forsaken tower, too, with no solutions of what to do next. I knew I couldn’t deny the truth any longer.
I’d fallen unmistakably and irrevocably in love with Zhèmson.
I’d kept that secret to myself, but I’m sure he knew. It was probably the only reason he hadn’t completely thrown me out of the tower on my ràsse. The curl of his arms around my waist had become familiar. The adoration in his eyes had become home.
I thought about Elèor, and a peace I couldn’t explain filled my heart.
I knew, deep down, I loved the Domenent of the tower. If choosing him meant choosing this eternal seclusion, then so be it. Gods. If only I’d come to this conclusion before I’d shattered our chances.
I sat on the stone wall surrounding the tower, overlooking… nothing. Twice now Zhèmson had come, staring down at the clouds for a time. He’d say nothing, just staring with an unreadable expression on his face, before going back inside. I pieced together he could somehow see Avari below. He looked tortured, longing for what he’d probably never have again.
I hated it.
My heart knotted each time he looked at the tower in defeat. Like he’d never be free of it. I knew he didn’t loathe Urien. He just wanted his free will back.
I looked at the clouds, sighing. Tucking my knees close, I pondered. The only consolation was that today was the first time Zhèmson had looked at me without distrust clouding his eyes. It was enough to bring me to tears. Maybe soon he’d be back to talking freely with me again.
Kicking my bare feet through fluffy clouds, I caught the stretch of glass materializing not far away. I sat up straight, leaning forward to squint. What in the skies?
A disturbance of cloud erupted without sound. Then, from thin air, a Sky Ladder appeared. I gasped, my jaw hanging. I sat frozen as Kiranon, Nèrvanya, and Dèravhen floated out, flying fast from Urien’s edge to come float directly in front of me.
Gods, no.
If Zhèmson came out right now and saw them, he’d throw me down to Avari for sure.
I whirled back to the tower, searching for movement. I couldn’t be sure if either Zhèmson, or any of the Vèrtu, were watching, but I checked anyway. Schooling my face to neutrality, I turned and looked at the Sky Watchers.
“To what do I owe the personal house call?”
Something dark flashed across Kiranon’s eyes. I tensed. None of the Watchers were smiling. Dèravhen looked as if he’d carve me open and dump my entrails somewhere. I lifted my chin, looking Kiranon in the eyes. “Well? Don’t tell me the mighty Watcher came here tongue-tied.”
Nèrvanya hissed, but restrained herself.
“You’ve gone quiet.” Kiranon studied me. He frowned, not liking what he saw in my expression.
“And?”
