Page 7 of Water and Wild

“If I were to guess, I would say he’s either orchestrating some grand gesture aimed at a certain Revenant”—Kit looked pointedly at Elyria’s ring-free fingers—“or there are cultists on our doorstep and war’s on the horizon. Either way, I fear I’m about to get some very concerning news.”

Elyria scoffed, the barest hint of a flush coloring her porcelain cheeks. “And you say he’s the dramatic one. Well, you certainly won’t find out by sitting around here with me, will you?” She waved her free hand lackadaisically in the air. “I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that patience is not a Ravenswing family trait.”

With another groan, Kit threw an arm over her face. “If I don’t return, tell them I died as I lived—shirking my responsibilities.”

Elyria grinned, the tension in her face easing. “I’ll ensure the bards get every detail correct.”

Getting to her feet, Kit brushed out the folds of her tunic, unsuccessfully attempting to smooth the wrinkles in the fabric. “Are you coming, or should I tell Evander you were too busy drinking my wine to bear witness to whatever this is?”

Elyria peered at Jianna, who gave a subtle shake of her head. “I don’t believe I’m invited.” She nestled further into her seat, taking another sip of wine as though it might mask her obvious irritation—perhaps even a touch of hurt. “I suppose I’ll just have to hear it from him myself later.”

With a sigh, Kit turned to the fidgeting Jianna. “All right, let’s get this over with.”

They had almost made it to the door when Elyria called out softly, “Hey, Kitty Kat?”

“Yes, Ellie?”

“Think we should be worried?”

“About my hardheaded, big-hearted brother? Always.”

3

CHOICE

ELYRIA

The sky was already darkening by the time Elyria found him, the morning star piercing through the sunset-colored sky as she flew.

After a full day spent calling on his sister and his mother and the steward and his valet and, evidently, every other stars-damned person on the Ravenswing estate, Evander had finally emerged from their private family quarters and deigned to leave the manor.

Elyria had wasted no time going after him. Thankfully, she knew exactly where to look.

Wings fluttering behind her, Elyria soared past the gardens, over the estate walls, and out of the city. She flew until she heard the familiar gentle breaking of waves against rock. The tide was getting low, water whispering against the stony shore below, filling the air with salt and spray.

Evander paced along the edge of the cliffs, arms crossed over his chest. His black curls were windswept, his noble tunic rumpled from the long day of meetings, his black-and-gold wings folded tight on his back.

Elyria did not slow as she approached, touching down behind him with enough force to shake the ground. She’d rehearsed what she had planned to say on the way, how she would chew him out for holing himself up all day, for keeping her waiting, for leaving her in the dark.

Only, when Evander turned to face her, he had that look about him. Elyria knew it well. It was the one he got when he was thinking too hard, turning a decision over in his mind a thousand different ways. The irony was that, despite all his agonizing, he would inevitably settle back on whatever he’d decided in the first place, his gut instinct almost always the correct one.

Though . . . there was a little something different about his look this time. Something softer, fuzzier—a kind of sadness that had settled into the crease of his brow, the firm press of his lips.

The fight fizzled right out of Elyria.

She wasn’t about to let him know that, though.

She tapped her foot in a melodramatic display. “Well?”

Evander’s golden eyes flickered with something almost like amusement, though it was gone too quickly to be sure. “Well, what?”

“Now’s really not the time to play games with me, Ev.”

“Oh, but I love playing with you, Elle.”

Elyria let out a dry laugh. “Nice try. I’m waiting for an explanation of why you’ve been avoiding me all day.”

He smiled—and there was that sadness again. “Hard though it may be to believe, not everything is about you, my love.”