Page 73 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

“But you’re a god, or you will be one. You’ll live in the heavens in the future.”

“Yes. It’s ironic.” I smacked my mouth. “There, now you have something to laugh about when I pick on your fashion choices.”

He smirked, shaking his head, and turned back towards the sunset.

We lay there together until long after the stars had appeared, glittering out destinies, sparkling with whispered wishes.

I didn’t know then that those stars were already gone.

They were only light remaining, a memory of what once was.

Like we one day would be.

And I didn’t know that yet, either.

24

Epiphany

I stepped back from the clearing in the forest, wiping sweat off my brow with my sleeve, my feet sinking into long yellow grasses.

Temi and Valerian worked with the other two from the city: Meea who had a smattering of freckles across her face and bright green eyes, and Dara who remained quiet, nodding occasionally, her dark hair gleaming in the sunlight that trickled through the tree boughs.

They’d both accepted Temi’s story, that I was Pip, a kitchen maid at the palace. I could think of a hundred holes in that explanation, but Dara and Meea didn’t seem concerned about the details.

Valerian strode over, the sheen of perspiration over his skin giving it a bronze glow. He scratched his fingers over his jaw, a twinkle sparkling over his eyes. “Are you staying over here to avoid Temi’s attention?”

“How did you know?”

He rolled his shoulders back. “She’s relentless.”

“She is.” Temi pressed her palm beneath Meea’s elbow, lifting it. “But she’s amazing. I don’t know how she’s so skilled at everything.”

Valerian nodded, but he crossed his arms. “I can’t decide if she’s a good influence or not.”

“Oh, come on, she’s gotten you out of your work schedule, hasn’t she?”

He scuffed his boot over moss that crept over a tree root. “Well, I won’t complain about that.”

I bit my lip. “I hope we haven’t caused trouble for you with your mother, Val.”

He clicked his tongue, his posture dropping. “I wouldn’t have asked her if I was worried about it. She’s… annoyed with me but not angry. She’s wary of getting involved with the upper class. You know she has her reasons.”

“Yeah.”

“But”—his voice brightened—“on the plus side, you’ve both helped provide excellent gossip for the kitchen staff about me.” He elbowed me. “Maybe they’ll leave my love life alone for a while now.”

Heat rose to my cheeks. His love life. Perhaps he had one. I guess if he did he wouldn’t likely confide in me about that. And it wasn’t my business, anyway. But it didn’t change the sinking feeling in my stomach.

“Do you two want to join us for dinner?” Temi called as she pulled a blanket out of her bag. She swept it out, fluttering wildflowers, and draped it over a patch of soft grasses.

“So, food?” Val said.

I bobbed my head, but my mind stuck on what he’d said.

We joined the others. Temi pulled out the baskets she’d packed filled with salted meat, cheese, and fruit.

Meea lifted a bag. “I brought something to share as well.” She pulled out a small bundle wrapped in dark fabric. As she peeled back the corners, a sweet smell trailed into the air.