“And I suppose that is meant to be you?” I say.
His grin sharpens. “I’ve been waiting a quarter hour. You’re going to be late to your ceremony.”
I glare. “Not yet.”
Forcing myself to meet his gaze, I notice the tear in his sleeve and the smudges on his knuckles and chin. He looks tired—probably from staying up late inventing new ways to torment me.
The city clock tower strikes half-past noon. I do the calculations in my head.
“Mierda.”
When our eyes meet again, his smug smile is already in place.
“Well, then, spare me the formal gift and try not to make me more late,” I say, pushing past him.
“I thought you would appreciate a taste of our old traditions,” he continues.
I stop and turn back, narrowing my eyes. “Thattraditionwas meant for stone bending apprentices completing their first cycle of mastery. Not for court ascensions.”
His eyebrows lift. “And how do you know that?”
“Because I’ve spent the last three months combing through the royal library all while running back and forth between the school and the weaving cave.BecauseI am ensuring that your culture isn’t reduced to half-remembered myths thrown around by smug warriors with nothing better to do.”
He lets out a laugh. “So those scrolls I’ve seen you carry around are good for something?”
“Try not to look so surprised,” I grumble, resuming my journey. “And if you wanted to give a gift, I’m told there will be time for that after the ceremony.”
“Like I said, this was meant to be before,” he calls after me.
I don’t stop walking.
He catches up to my side. I glance up to find his expression serious.
“Some advice, one council member to another, I know how uneasy you are in front of crowds.”
I let out a mangled huff. “I will be fine.”
“Well then. Just try not to trip in your fancy gown, Firelocks.”
“I’ll manage,” I say and pick up my pace.
Even I haveto admit the ascension celebration is breathtaking.
The Enduar Palace once served as the summer home to enduar kings and queens of old. Golden in appearance, it is the only building in all of Enduvida made from the same strong metal as the signature armor the soldiers wear.
Enduar metal is strong, and it combines beautifully with the bluish gray of the cavern. I stare a while longer at the massive building, its golden facade gleaming under the shifting crystal light.
Towering statues of past enduares still stand, each with names carved underneath. The grand steps leading to the entrance are wide, easily spanning fifteen paces across, split into two tiers. They were made to create a deliberate divide—a physical reminder of the difference between ruler and subject. Now, they serve as the pathway I must ascend.
I don’t want to be seen as above the others. I just want to help.
At the top of the grand steps, Estela stands resplendent in a golden gown. She is a short woman, almost a full head shorter than me, and has thick, dark brown curly hair that perfectly compliments her magically glowing light brown skin.
Teo is at her side in simple black garb that highlights his paler blue complexion and light silver hair. He’s massive next to her, something I might consider threatening if he wasn’t the most adoring mate I’ve ever met.
Behind them is the official spiritual leader of our people, Mother Liana. An old enduar woman with pure, white hair, and kind eyes. She’s never looked like anything other than a benevolent goddess, one who has spent her eternities choosing to cultivate empathy over wrath. Tonight, she is dressed in a flowing black gown with hand-stitched swirling patterns of quartz.
I bite my lip, wondering if later, she’ll finally share where she had gotten her elaborate dresses from.