Page 212 of Starside

He nods. “It’s fitting. Tell me, Aris. What do you seek from the quest?”

He doesn’t assume I want immortality, not like Lord Ashcroft. “I want revenge,” I say.

His face goes solemn. “Against the gods.”

I blink, shocked. “How do you know?”

His smile is sad. “Why else would you be here? Who else has caused such destruction?”

“Destruction?”

He looks around, as if the gods themselves could be among us. “In this, humans and immortals aren’t so different. The gods rule above us all, with an iron hand. They use us for their own bidding. We’ve lost many because of them.” I know. I’ve now seen proof of it.

“And you never tried to overthrow them?”

His smile grows, reaching his eyes. “Your courage is refreshing. But … perhaps misguided. Anyone who has ever tried to face the gods has been killed, along with their entire bloodline. Or … worse.” What’s worse than death?

My throat tightens. It might put more fear in me if any of my family was left.

He studies me carefully. “I can see you’re firm in your conviction.”

“I am.”

“And you’ve made it this far.”

“I have.”

In a flash of crystal, he unsheathes his sword. It’s clear and glimmering, like the ones in the Traveling City. The light is slightly different, though. More white than silver. Slowly, he kneels before me. There are gasps around the room as everyone watches. He doesn’t seem to care, or notice.

He grips the hilt of his sword in both hands, the tip scratching the floor. “You are welcome at my home any time, Aris of Stormside,” he says. “Consider this your invitation.”

I blink. My eyes don’t leave his as he rises to his full height. Clumsily, I reach for my sword … and press its metal to his. A jolt goes through it, as the invitation is given.

I sheathe it, unbelieving. I actually did it. I got at least one.

It was almost … too easy.

It’s hard for me to trust anything. Anyone. Especially an immortal heir I just met.

He must see the questioning in my look, because he says, “Any human with more courage than an immortal has a friend in me.”

He bows before stepping away. The song ends.

I’m thrown into another dance.

Seven partners. Each with various degrees of conversation. Some are kind and gentle, if not a little shy. Others try to touch me far too many places. Some aren’t heirs. Some are heirs of houses I don’t need.

I seek out the ones I do. I smile at them until they come to ask me to dance. I make my interest known. There’s no time for nerves or wariness.

I’m here for alliances. I’m here for the quest.

But—for a few more stolen seconds … I enjoy this.

The glittering fabrics. The spins, all coordinated, all perfectly executed. The music, the food, the laughter.

I love it.

It is selfish, it is foolish, but I like these sparkling things. I like this glimmering, enchanted world. This is momentary, this is not my home, but right now I revel in this experience; I drink up all of it.