Lyana planted an elbow in her friend’s ribs. “I thought I was going to have a mate who knew my deepest secret, who knew and didn’t care. And now all of that is gone. Can I not wallow in self-pity for a little while?”
“Nope,” Cassi chirped, nudging Lyana to turn around.
Lyana met Cassi's raised eyebrows with a matching set. Cassi pinched her cheeks to bring some color back to her dark skin, then reached across the bed and dipped the corner of the sheet in a jug of water before pressing it to Lyana’s eyelids to reduce their swelling.
“Everyone has secrets, Ana," she continued. "Everyone. The prince had a secret. The ravens had a secret. Your magic doesn’t define you. So what if that imposter knows about it, as long as he keeps quiet? Maybe the prince will never know that one truth, but your mate will learn what’s important. The things that are far more connected to who you are. You’ll see.”
The words did little to ease Lyana's mood. Needing to keep busy, she reached for one of the brushes on the side table and motioned for Cassi to switch places. Her own hair did better with fingers and a comb, but her friend’s was different—wavy rather than coiled, flowing silk instead of fluffed tulle, slippery enough to never stay in one place for very long. A little unruly, Lyana thought, compared to her braids, which could last for a few weeks at a time. But she’d always enjoyed running her fingers through Cassi’s hair and brushing out the knots. She’d always found it soothing.
They were quiet for a little while, Cassi lost in her thoughts, Lyana thankfully lost in the movement of her fingers, in looping and twisting the smooth strands. She divided her friend’s hair into four sections, weaving four intricate braids that met at the crown of her head and then spun into a tightly cinched bun that would hopefully make it through at least the long flight to the edge of the House of Peace, if not the long journey to the House of Whispers the next day. The design was far more ornate than the hasty updos her friend normally preferred, as though she’d sensed that Lyana had needed the distraction. But when it was finished, Cassi turned and took her hands, silvery eyes bright against her tawny cheeks.
“Why don’t we try to remember what today is really about?”
Lyana frowned and tilted her head. “Huh?”
“Today isn’t about a man, or secrets, or lies, or worries about what the future might bring. Today—” Cassi paused as an excited grin widened her lips and she squeezed Lyana’s hands tightly as if trying to transfer some of her enthusiasm to her friend. “Today is the day our adventure begins, the one we’ve waited so long for, the one we’ve yearned for. Today, we travel to the edge of our isle, farther than we’ve ever been. And tomorrow? Even farther.”
A smile tugged at the corner of Lyana’s lips. “I guess…”
“You guess?” Cassi chided as she stood and pulled Lyana to her feet, toward the window and the city waiting outside. “Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted? To see someplace new. Someplace exciting. To explore the world. Or was that all talk?”
Lyana’s gaze skimmed the outskirts of Sphaira, past the crystal buildings to the tundra beyond, settling on that never-ending line where a snowy landscape stretched into a clear sky. But it did end. By nightfall, she’d be at the end, the spot where her isle gave way to air. After so many years of staring at a similar view, always wondering and questioning what lay beyond, she would finally have an answer. A bubble of joy spread across her chest, growing and growing, filled with light and hope and a sprinkle of something else, something that spilled out of her lips in the shape of quiet laughter.
“Fine.” Lyana turned back to Cassi, ignoring the smug expression on the owl’s face because her mood had finally lifted, and she didn’t want anything to shoot it back down. For now, the adventure was enough. The worry, the fears, the hurt, she could deal with them later. “Yes, that’s what I’ve always wanted. And you’re right, that’s what today should be about. You and me and the bridge that in these many years we’ve never dared cross. Well, the bridge you’ve never let me cross, because you were worried about the trouble I’d get into. Today, the sky bridge is ours, Cassi. We’re crossing that bridge, together. We’re going someplace new…” Lyana paused, but was unable to stop herself from playfully adding, “Whether you want to or not.”
“I volunteered for this, remember?”
“I know.” Lyana let her enthusiasm sweep her up like the winds of a great storm, ready to carry her away. “I must have finally rubbed off on you.”
Cassi snorted. “Maybe I just knew you would need someone around who wasn’t afraid to put you in your place, princess or not. From what I’ve seen so far of the ravens, they seem incapable of telling you no.”
Before Lyana had a chance to retort, a knock sounded at the door.
Cassi fluttered over to answer, in case it was a raven, but Luka forced the door open. He paused in the doorway, looking at her for a moment before nodding awkwardly in greeting. Cassi stepped back and glanced away, giving him the opening to race across the room and crush his sister in an embrace—one which Lyana reciprocated wholeheartedly. Her mother and father followed, along with a handful of servants carrying breakfast.
Lyana ate with her family one final time, happy that for once there was no lecture, just mutual understanding. What was done was done, and they should enjoy these moments they had left. She learned that Damien had selected the owl princess as his mate when his turn came, and that the rest of the matches had followed as expected. Though she hadn’t broken any rules, Lyana had been the only rebellious heir of the bunch. Her father had, of course, already forgiven her, despite the temporary strain her actions might have put on a few of his diplomatic relationships. But Lyana was stunned to find that when she cautiously met her mother’s knowing gaze, she found no anger or disapproval. Instead, pride glistened in her eyes, reminding Lyana of the stories around her parents’ courtship trials—of how her mother, bold and daring, had won her father’s favor. Maybe she understood, after all.
So, they ate, and talked, and embraced, and kissed, until the sun rose high and the time for goodbyes came. There was no telling when her family would be together again, or when Lyana would next step foot in the House of Peace now that she was heir to another throne. But she didn’t cry. Enough tears had been shed the night before, and over the wrong person. When a drop fell from Luka’s eye, she brushed it from his cheek, telling him not to worry, that she would be fine, that she had Cassi and a mate and a new life waiting, that she had everything she could ever want.
For a moment, she even believed it.
She wanted so badly to believe it.
Lyana watched her family go, remaining strong until the door closed behind them. Cassi was there to catch her as she stumbled, the weight of so many changes ready to crush her. But with her best friend by her side, the wave passed. Lyana stood tall. And when the ravens came to collect her, she went with her head held high, following her new flock as they took to the sky and began the long journey to her new home. She did, however, allow herself one look back at Sphaira, at the city of her youth, full of so many dreams, at the crystal palace and the surrounding buildings glimmering like a diamond brooch in the sun.