Page 47
Cal’s dad stepped closer and embraced his son in a short hug. His eyes lingered for a second on Roy’s face before they moved to Uros.
Cal raised his hand. “I—this is, uh, Roy. He saved us when we crashed.”
“Thank you.” Cal’s dad smiled. “We’ll make sure to reward you generously. You may go now.”
A chill erupted on Roy’s back—his instinct screamed at him to get lost. His home waited for him, away from all this madness. But he stayed rooted, clutching Cal’s trembling hand.
“Uros. Why is Adria here?” The Queen sighed, gently patting the girl’s head. “It’s morning. She’s supposed to be in school.”
“Is she not allowed to greet her parents?” Uros muttered, his arms tightening around Adria.
“Will we have breakfast together?” Adria chirped. “Roy cooks a yummy porridge. With chocolate chips!”
Cal’s mum turned slowly, her mouth twisted in a grimace. “What is she talking about, Caelestian? Has this man been living here?”
“No,” Cal mumbled. “We’ve been living with him. He was kind enough to host us while I was taking care—”
“But you did sleep in separate rooms, did you not?” Cal’s dad cut in.
“I—” Cal’s gaze dipped to the ground. If Roy hadn’t been afraid of making things worse, he would have spoken his mind. Caelestian was a grown man, perfectly capable of making his own decisions about his sleeping arrangements.
“Caelestian, my Starborn.” The Queen clasped her hands and addressed Aunt Ormi, who hovered nearby with a worried expression carved between her brows. “Did you know about this, sister?”
“I think you two are very tired after your journey,” Aunt Ormi said in a low, resolute tone. “Let’s get you to your chambers. We can talk once you’ve rested.”
Roy stuffed his duffel bag and zipped it so fast his skin caught in the metal teeth, shoving him back to reality. He’d stormed out of the fancy banquet, slamming the door behind him after being accused of staining Caelestian’s prospects of marriage.
Perhaps the truthfulness of that statement hurt him most. He slumped onto the bed and hid his face in his palms. The door creaked, and he braced for a servant to escort him out of the palace. He could hitchhike—some freighter might pass by, which could get him closer to Pyraxis.
Leather shoes stopped before Roy’s feet. Cal’s fingers dipped into Roy’s curls, kneading gently.
“Thank you, love,” he whispered, leaning down to plant a kiss on the crown of Roy’s head. “For defending my honour.”
“Did I?” Roy huffed, pressing his cheek against Cal’s stomach. “Feels like I’ve made everything worse.”
“No—I think you did the right thing after being called a filthy peasant.” Cal’s stomach expanded with a deep inhale. “I told them everything. How I gave up the crown to keep Uros and Addy safe. How we crashed, and how you took us in without asking for anything in return. How I fell in love.” Flexing his fingers to make air quotes, Cal scoffed. “I have betrayed everything our ancestors fought for.”
Roy lifted his gaze, wincing at the red mark on Cal’s cheek. “Did they hit you?”
“Maybe,” Cal mumbled, wiggling out of Roy’s embrace. “Doesn’t matter. I need to pack. Are you okay with leaving now?”
After a moment of hesitation, Roy rasped, “You realise there’s no coming back if you leave with me?”
Cal froze, his pyjama pants half-folded. “I do, yes.”
“Are you sure?”
His method of silencing Roy—a deep kiss full of pressure and urgency—proved effective. “Completely sure. Let’s go home, love.”
In the hallway, they almost clashed with Aunt Ormi, who rushed toward their chambers, panting, her neck reddened. “Cally!”
“I’m so sorry, Auntie,” Cal whispered. “I have to leave, but I do hope you’ll still enjoy the banquet.”
“The banquet? Oh, my dear boy, Void take those banquets. Are you okay?”
“Eh.” Cal jerked a shoulder. “I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t doubt that,” the auntie whispered, tears welling. “You’ve always been such a gentle, clever boy. I’m very proud of you.” She rubbed Roy’s shoulder, her golden rings catching on the cracked leather of his jacket. “Take good care of Cally, will you? I’ll make sure to visit you two as soon as I can.”
