Page 113 of The Sovereign: Part One
The Hiven cast a menu, waiting patiently while Roan read through it.
“I’ll have the quail, the braised rounds, and… the… yes, the spiral-cut pork, with the charred shallot and herb farro and grilled asparagus, please.For two.Package it.Quickly, please.I’m taking it to a friend.”
“Shall I bring anything else?”the Hiven asked, looking expectantly at the rest of us.
“I don’t believe so,” Maxim said, looking to me for confirmation.
I shook my head.
“They don’t offer take-out,” Lourdes said, with thinly veiled disdain.
“Surely they can make an exception,” Roan said, unbothered.He was suddenly back to his old self, the sparkle having returned to his eyes.It was almost surreal, like watching a storm pass in reverse.Whatever scheme had just taken shape in his mind, he clearly believed in it with absolute certainty.
“Of course, Primar Vasthane,” the Hiven replied.
“Food?That’s your grand plan?”I asked, amused.
He raised two fingers, crossed.“She never turns down food, and she didn’t get a chance to sample anything while she was here.”
I smiled, then turned to Maxim.“If this crashes and burns, remember, you encouraged this.”
“And I stand by my words,” he said, confident.
Lourdes looked to her brother, concern weighing down her features.“A plan for what, Roan?You’re not really trying to win Bellam over for her last few weeks, are you?I feel there’s more you aren’t telling me.”
Roan pushed his chair back from the table, suddenly full of hope again.“You are correct, darling sister, and I’m afraid that is the way it shall remain.”
“In that case, I’m sure I’m needed by our guests,” Lourdes said.
Leopold scrambled to pull out her chair, and then whispered to her as they left together, attempting to ease the hurt in her eyes.
“Should I check on Bellam later?”I asked.
“No,” Roan said, distracted as he watched for the Hiven to return with their food.“She said she’d call you in the morning.”
“Are you certain she wants to see you again tonight?”Maxim asked.
Roan blinked, then met Maxim’s gaze before shifting to mine.“I didn’t just decide this at dinner last night,” he insisted.“We’ve been seeing each other.Often.It started with breakfast… finally… then lunches, drinks after work… then dinner.”He exhaled.“She’s sharp, infuriating, hilarious in the most unexpected ways.She challenges everything I say and it’s absolutely endearing.”His voice faltered.“It’s only been a few weeks, yes, but I know the way her eyes shift shades when she’s tired.The way she pushes her sleeves up exactly halfway when she’s focused.The pattern of the faint scatter of freckles across her nose.The ring her grandmina gave her; she twists it when she’s nervous, always clockwise.I know every bit of it.I carry it like it’s mine.”
“I believe that you love her.But are you certain about The Vale?”I asked.“Because if you’re not sure, if you change your mind after you change hers, this… this is cruel.”
He met my eyes.“I love her more than anything, Isara, and the only option for us is The Vale.I know how it sounds.I do.But I’ve never felt this way about anyone.It’s not that she didn’t trip over herself to spend time with me, or that my charms didn’t work on her.At first, yes, I was intrigued, but when I’m around her, I feel whole.And when I’m not, it’s devastating.How am I supposed to live the rest of my life feeling that way?”
I stared at him, stunned.“You mean it.If she agrees, you’re going.”
“We are.Did Joss tell you anything about The Vale I wouldn’t already know?”he asked.“We can’t just leave like everyone else, obviously.I need to understand what it would take to be permitted to stay, what our options are if we don’t go through official channels.”
I gathered myself, fully aware that whatever help I gave now was also a quiet act of both treason and surrender.I was assisting my best friend in choosing a future that no longer included me, and something that, should The Citadel learn of my involvement, would be just another reason for banishment.“I wish I could.Joss didn’t say much.And to be honest, I don’t think he will.”
Maxim leaned forward.“If you do happen to convince Bellam, you’ll need to leave at dawn.It will be difficult for Bellam to make it there before sunset, but it’s imperative that you arrive before dark.In no uncertain terms, that achievement will be the difference between life and death.On your journey, watch for tremors in the ground, and the Drave.If you see either, run.Hide.But don’t stop.I hope Joss can find an escort for you, but if not, this isn’t one of your guided expeditions, Roan.You’ll need to think of every pitfall to protect her every step until the moment you reach The Vale’s gates.Use Joss’s name when you’re approached by the guards.They’ll be hostile and suspicious.If you make it, only the Veyr decides admission for any Sovereign who’s left Hyperion Proper without permission.He’ll decide where to house you.Expect labor, shared resources, no luxury.”
“If they make it,” I muttered.I suddenly recognized that I could lose my best friend to more than just The Vale.“And if they’re allowed to stay.The Veyr may decide it’s too dangerous.Harboring a rogue Vanguard could be seen as an act of war.”
Roan thought for a moment and then nodded.“I’ll convince him.I’ve met him before.I make him laugh.”
“Getting him to laugh is one thing, but asking him to risk the people he’s sworn to protect—his own family—that’s something else entirely.”My voice caught, tight with dread.“I don’t know, Roan.The more we talk about it, the more impossible it feels.
Lourdes returned.“Well?Did we give you enough time to pour your heart out to Isara?”
