Page 70 of Heir

Aiz shivered. Mother Div wasn’t as understanding as she’d been in Kegar, or even on the Ankanese ship. She was disappointed. Aiz felt compelled to make it right.

Of course, Mother Div, she said in her mind.I will do as you ask.

Quil appeared by the fire, drawing the attention of most of the young people nearby, though they didn’t approach him. He had high cheekbones, a square jaw, and the slightest ridge in his nose, with skin that was darker than hers, and imbued with a golden-brown glow, as if he spent most days outside.

The color of his irises was light and strange and shifting. One second as bright as a cat’s, the next softer, like the shed leaves of a butterfly larch. Aiz had never seen eyes like his before.

He ladled himself a bowl of khiram—which was promptly stolen by a giggling Ruh. The child plopped down beside Aiz.

“My favorite food,” he said. “No one makes khiram better than Quil.”

The young man secured his own bowl. When Aiz glanced at him, he looked away quickly, cheeks flushed.

Interesting.

Aiz needed friends here. Anchors. People to help her make sense of this place—preferably without demanding too much of her in return.

She took a bite of khiram. The flavor was too subtle for Aiz.

“You made this?” She looked at Quil through her lashes. “Remarkable. Tell me how?”

Quil joined her, but before he could respond, Ruh spoke. “Do you like stories? You must, since you told one to Ama.”

“I— You weren’t supposed to—”

“I’m going to be a Kehanni one day,” Ruh said. “I have a fine story to tell. But it’s scary. You aren’t very big.” He eyed her doubtfully. “You might get too scared.”

“Quil is here.” Aiz glanced at him, hair falling in her face. “He’ll keep me safe.” Another flush.Perfect.

“Well then,” Ruh said. “Not so long ago, on a cold night like this one…”

As Ruhyan launched into the tale, Aiz rested her head on her hand, lips parted, shirt slipping a touch off her shoulder as she listened and watched the stars, well aware of how her skin would look lit by the fire.

She’d purchased a bottle of Attar in Sadh, dabbed a bit on her wrists this morning. Aiz slung her magic down to lasso the scent, so that Quil might associate it with her. But it danced out of her fingers on a willful breeze.

Do not demand, Mother Div said to Aiz.Coax. Then tether it.

Aiz crooned to the wind in her mind.You carry such marvelous fragrances. Come closer, please, that I might share this one with you.

The wind resisted, but Aiz kept at it, only half listening to Ruh’s story. Finally, Quil inhaled, gaze bemused.

“Roses,” Quil muttered. “They’re usually not in bloom.”

Ruh raised an eyebrow. “What roses? I didn’t say anything about roses. You’re not paying attention!”

“Sorry, Ruh.”

The boy continued with his tale. Quil tried not to glance over at Aiz and failed.

Half-hidden by the dark, Aiz smiled.

20

Quil

Sirsha, at least, appeared to have taken the revelation of Quil’s title in stride, regarding him surmisingly while attempting to work herself free from her bonds. But as the prince edged toward her, R’zwana, initially rendered silent, finally found her tongue.

“We have no proof of your identity. Anyone could rattle off a ridiculous Martial name and say he’s a prince.”

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