Page 108 of All the Wandering Light

I hadn’t expected it. After the witches had been routed from the city, the emperor and his entourage had returned to the palace, despite the lingering presence of the sky city. In the banquet hall, a tower of shadow still stood, while apparently the libraries were haunted by a dark doorway that each hour appeared in a different place. Lusha had been summoned before the emperor and his council, where she had remained into the morning. Meanwhile, shamans roamed the Three Cities, putting out fires and hunting for any witches foolish enough to remain behind.

So with no one looking for me, and nothing in particular to do, I had returned to the palace rooms River had chosen for me.

For several moments, I simply sat on the bed, staring at nothing. The beautiful dress that had been made for the banquet was torn and stained, my hands and face streaked with soot. I knew I should do something—wash, perhaps, or tend to the burn on my face that throbbed quietly—but still I sat there. Finally, I rose, and opened one of the windows, though the night was chilly. Then I lay down and slept.

I awoke as I had the previous morning: to a glimmer of light through the shutters, and the sound of birds in the courtyard. I blinked, and for a moment it was as if none of it had happened—the banquet, the mad dash through the Three Cities, the battle with Esha. Everything had changed, and it seemed the world should acknowledge it somehow. A raven croaked in a tree.

“Good morning,” said a familiar voice.

I pushed myself up on my elbows. I was only half surprised to see River seated in a chair, his feet propped against one of the bedposts. At some point, he had changed out of the glittering black chuba and gloves, but he hadn’t returned to his regular courtier’s dress. He was clothed as he had been on the journey to Raksha, in a simple gray tunic and worn leather boots. He was not wearing his tahrskin chuba.

“Is it?” I leaned against the headboard. Something ached inside me—I couldn’t place where.

River stood and threw open the shutters, ignoring my groans of protest. “I suppose it’s relative,” he said. “The fires have destroyed a third of the city, and the emperor wasn’t pleased to learn that another fallen star had escaped his grasp. But he’s alive, the Empire stands, and he seems enamored with your sister. I peeked into the council chamber an hour ago. They’re still talking. I didn’t stay long; it was quite dull. They seem well matched in that respect.”

I stared at him. “You didn’t let them see you?”

“No.” He laughed. “The emperor has put a price on my head—literally. Rather a large one. It’s flattering.”

“How did you hide, then?” My voice was stern. “If the emperor spots any owls perched on his balcony, goggling at him—”

“Oh, I have a trick or two up my sleeve.” He threw himself on his back across the foot of the bed. “I believe this belongs to you?” He reached into his pocket and handed me a rock. Not just any rock.

The star.

I snatched it up. “Where did you—”

“I didn’t. It was on your windowsill.”

I brushed the star with my thumb. It was warmer than it had been—the same temperature as my own skin.

“If you light it, you’ll release its power again,” River said. “It appears to be dormant.”

I set the star aside. I would deal with it later. “What else did you learn on your spying mission?”

River wove his fingers together and tucked his hands beneath his head. “The witches have retreated, though no one knows where. The emperor suspects the Nightwood—more likely they’ve gone in all directions. Lusha is to receive some sort of medal.”

I snorted. Of course. “What about the sky city?”

“It’s fading.” River looked thoughtful. “Though it may never be completely gone. Magic like that always leaves traces.” He looked at me. “Tem paid a visit when you were asleep. And Mara.”

I was bemused. “Mara?”

“The servants sent him away quickly enough. He kept demanding to speak with you—I think he was beside himself, not knowing the full story of what happened. He’s used to being at the center of things. I almost bit him.”

“Bit him?”

“I was a dragon at the time.”

I let out a breath of laughter. “How long have I slept?”

“It’s almost midday. I thought about waking you. I was getting bored.”

I groaned again. I didn’t want to get up. The odd feeling had intensified. I rubbed my face and let out a gasp of pain as I brushed the scar where the ember had landed. It wasn’t like other burns I had felt.

“Here.” River was at my side, gently drawing my hand away. “Let me.”

“I thought you didn’t have any healing powers.” I held myself still as his fingers brushed my cheek.