Page 105 of Under Restless Skies

“May Foros help us.” Nelly takes a long sip of her drink.

“And Cardiana too!” Celine’s eyes brighten. “Her festival is in three weeks. We’ll have a ball.”

The Goddess of Love festival. I used to like it when I was a young child. They had red bows, red candy, and I got to wear a pretty red dress, but later my mother was buried in grief and kept us locked indoors when the festivals happened. With Laristella, I was too busy working, though I did go to see the festivities in the city. In one of them, Marcus told me he loved me.

And it was a lie.

Now, to make matters worse, Mallor said he will reassess my position in the academy during Cardiana’s Festival, and I hope he doesn’t change his mind and sends me to a distant outpost or returns me to the cleaning crew.

“You two.” Celine grimaces. “You’re acting like it’s some kind of celebration for Thantos.”

My body shrinks as if I could make myself small and disappear. “I don’t have good memories of it. My mother… didn’t like it.”

“Did your father drink?” Celine asks me, her voice low, concern in her blue eyes.

“He died when I was young,” I lie.

“Oh.” Celine nods. “That makes sense. Sorry… I’ve heard of men… drinking… and bad things happening. But I’m glad it wasn’t the case, even if… Sorry.”

“It’s fine.” I shake my head.

Nelly then sighs. “When I was younger, I was told to make offers to Cardiana. Bracelets, pretty shells, flowers. I don’t think it works.”

“You were young,” I say. “You’re still young. There’s time.”

Celine rolls her eyes. “Not to mention your mysterious companion, Nelly.”

Nelly looks at her cup, her composure somber. “I suppose. For now, I’d truly prefer a festival for Thantos. See if he can spare us.”

“No, no, no.” Celine taps on the table. “We’ll wear red and have fun.”

I grin at her. “We will.”

We get up some time later, as Nelly has a self-defense class and Celine will go with her group to the Outer Hill.

I’m a little disappointed that Alayel was not here, but I suppose I’ll see him later.

And there’s something else I need to do. I take a deep breath, gather some courage, and climb the stairs, meaning to go to Commander Mallor’s office.

I have to tell someone about that staff—not all the details, like the creepy visions, obviously—but I need to let them know that the artifact could be dangerous.

As I’m getting to his floor, someone calls me from a few steps below.

“Mayara?”

That voice, that tone bring me so many memories that a knot forms in my throat—a clump of unsaid words. But we were never meant to last. Why should I have any feelings?

I turn and see Marcus, climbing up to meet me.

“Can we talk for a moment?” he asks. “In private?”

“Won’t your friend mind?”

He frowns. “Obviously not. Are you worried about your friend? The bastard? He’s not around.”

The way he refers to Alayel puts me on edge, and yet I have no reason to refuse to talk to him.

“Fine. Where?”