Tandrin spent a few weeks in West Draulin. It was nice having him around, partially because it meant he was pulled into meetings instead of Tannix. I also liked him. He had been kind to me the first time we met, and he still was. I didn't like his knights as much. The first time he saw me Eppson gave me a suspicious glance. The other knights never talked to me. They weren't the band of brothers Tannix's knights were.

Sometimes I went to family meals, just to keep up the appearance of being a good servant. I always stood near the wall next to whichever guard was on duty. It was actually fun to watch the family as they ate. They didn't act the way I had always imagined noble families acting, but at the same time I wasn't entirely surprised, given the way Tannix acted. Sometimes they would tease each other and laugh, sometimes they would have serious conversations, and sometimes they would simply talk about their days.

The day after Tandrin left, I decided to do something I'd been thinking about for weeks. That evening, after dinner, Tannix and I went into his chamber while Evrik lazily stood in the hallway. The novelty of being able to do their job had worn off by then, and the knights all joked about how boring it was to guard Tannix.

Tannix had some papers to work on, so he quickly settled down at his desk. I hovered nearby for a bit, watching him. The letters were beginning to look familiar, but I still had no idea how to read them. I got bored and wandered over to one of the windows, where I leaned against the still and stared out at the reddening sky.

"Tannix?"

"Hmm?" he replied distractedly.

"Do you remember in Zianna when I made you climb to the roof with me, and we watched the sunset?" I glanced over my shoulder.

Tannix looked up from his work, a little wary. "And you forced me to climb that wall even though you knew I didn't like it?"

"But it was worth it, wasn't it?" I asked, turning to stare out the window again. "Let's do it again."

"I'm busy."

"Exactly." I walked over to the desk. "Which is why you need to relax. So come with me."

"You do realize that climbing walls is the opposite of relaxing, right?"

"I'll help you," I promised. When he got up, I took his hand and tugged him across the room. He could have easily pulled back, if he really wanted to. "You used to be decent at it, anyway." I let go of him to push open the window and climb onto the sill.

"That was five years ago. I was fourteen. I'm quite a bit heavier than I was then."

I leaned out of the window to inspect the wall. "It's going to be fairly easy. We're so close to the roof, you might even be able to reach it from the window. Come on." I flashed him a quick grin, before grabbing the edge of a stone and swinging myself from his window.

Tannix muttered what might have been a prayer under his breath. Or maybe he was cursing me. Either way, he climbed onto the windowsill and tentatively leaned out.

It was the first time I had properly climbed in over a year, and I loved it. If it wasn't for Tannix, I might have crawled all over the side of the building, just for fun. Instead I stayed nearby, encouraging him as he made the short climb.

When we reached the roof I pulled myself up first. I moved out of the way and sat facing the sunset. After a moment Tannix joined me, breathing heavily.

"I hate climbing walls. I'm a soldier."

"It'll be worth it," I promised. Already the sky was glowing pink and orange. I took a moment to take in the rest of the view. We were nearly as high as it was possible to get, and the view was breathtaking. West Draulin stretched out to my left, the crowded buildings slowly became scattered and further spread apart until they became farmlands. The port looked at busy as it always was, with boats coming and going.

"On nice days," Tannix spoke up. "We can see across the Straits, clear to East Draulin." He shuffled a little closer to me and pointed behind us, almost exactly opposite the setting sun. "There, see it? Just a dark line on the horizon, but still... I've always liked knowing that when I move there, I'll be able to see West Draulin. Then behind it there's the great desert of Deorun."

I didn't want to think about him moving, because of the unsaid implication that went along with it. He would be moving to East Draulin to marry Lady Mayah. I turned back to the sunset.

We watched silently as the sun seemed to lower itself into the ocean. The water reflected the bright colours of the sky as it turned from orange to dark red to deep purple. I had always heard that the Cliffs of Loth blocked the best of the sunsets in Zianna, but I would never have even imagined that they would be this wonderful. The ocean stretched out as far as I could see, terrifying but beautiful.

I glanced at Tannix. He was sitting with his knees up, and his arms looped around them. The slight breeze ruffled his usually perfect hair. He noticed me looking.

"What?" he asked, once again sounding a little wary.

"Do you ever wonder why we met?"

"You broke into the Order and I was too smitten to bother reporting you."

"That's not... Don't pretend you knew I wasn't supposed to be there. I tricked you."

"I knew something was off. I just didn't really care," Tannix said.

"Well, either way, that's not what I mean," I said. "I mean, why did I decide to climb over that wall when I could have just run away? Or why did I decide to keep the Order ring when I first stole it? Or why was it you who tackled me and not one of the other boys."

Tannix shrugged. "I suppose you're very lucky."

"I never used to think about Lovi," I said, looking back over the darkening sky. "I pray to Zianesa constantly. Most of us do. Sometimes we pray to the others for more specific things. But Lovi? I don't know, I just never needed to. Still, I've been thinking and she must have been watching me. Helping me somehow."

"I haven't heard of her before," Tannix said. "I know about Zianesa, and we talked about Roe on the ship. I don't know anything about the others."

The sun continued to sink away and the stars started to light up.

"Finn? Could you tell me about them? Who's Lovi?"

I looked at him. "Really?"

He nodded. "Yes. I might get confused, so bear with me. But I want you to tell me about them." Tannix lay back, and gently tugged me down with him. My head was resting on his left arm, and I took his hand, lacing our fingers together.

The easiest way to tell Tannix about my gods was to start at the beginning. I could almost hear my mother's voice as I started the traditional story. "In the beginning there was chaos. The void of chaos was empty. Then from it came the Triplets. Zianesa, the eldest and most powerful, created a sphere in her hands and let it float from her into the darkness. Roe, the middle sibling, created water, which he poured onto the sphere. Kitsa, the youngest and most playful, created wind, which blew through her hair until it surrounded the sphere.

"They descended to live upon their creation, each sibling in the element they had brought. But there was something missing, and many years later, from the void, came their fourth sibling, Volava. Her hands glowed with fire, and she brought light to the world by throwing little balls of fire into the sky. These became stars. The four siblings ruled peacefully for many years. Occasionally others would come from the void, but none as powerful as Zianesa, Roe, Kitsa, and Volava.

"Once, Roe walked from the water and across the land, to meet with Zianesa. He was surprised to find water on the land. When he touched it, it didn't feel like his salty ocean water. Then a woman appeared in front of him. She was one of the other goddesses to come from the void, and her name was Tolle. She lived in a lake. Roe instantly fell in love. They got married and had many children who became the spirits of other lakes and rivers.

"Kitsa had created wind spirits, which surrounded the land with wind. Sometimes they were gentle and warm, sometimes they were strong and cold. Kitsa loved them, but she saw how happy her brother was with his wife, and she decided that she wanted a husband. She went to her sister, Volava, and together they began to search. They searched until they saw two brothers walking side by side. One was bright and glowing, and he was named Rouis. The other was so dark that he seemed to absorb light, and he was named Siour. The brothers saw Kitsa and Volava, and they fell in love. Kitsa asked her wind spirits to hold Rouis high in the sky so he would always be near her, and he became the sun. But Rouis did not want to separated from his brother for eternity, so once a day Kitsa helps Siour soar into the sky to visit his brother, and we have night."

I continued to tell the story, explaining how Kitsa and Rouis had two children, Ordon, the storm god, and Anniva, the moon. How Anniva had married her cousin Tros, the war guard, and together they had two children. Finally, I got to Tannix's original question.

"Mysma became the goddess of art, and her husband, Jute, is the god of language. Lovi is their daughter, the goddess of love. Because Mysma and Jute were both once humans, they have always had a closer relationship with humans. Lovi is the same way."

"And you think she led you to me?" Tannix asked, interrupting for the first time.

"Yes."

"So, she..." Tannix paused. "She has no problem with us?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well... you're not a woman."

"Neither are you."

Tannix laughed lightly. "If we were both women, we'd have the same problem."

"Lovi doesn't care about who loves who, if that's what you're asking," I said. "She just wants people to love. She takes people who belong together, and helps them find each other. Sure, usually it's a man and a woman, but sometimes it's not. Lovi knows what's right. Does your Goddess care?"

He didn't answer immediately. "I... I'm not sure. I guess it just isn't practical. You can't give me an heir."

I didn't let his words bother me. "No. And you need an heir."

"No. I just... I'm expected to have one."

"And you're betrothed."

He sighed. "Yes."

"We'll figure it out." I shifted, propping myself up with my elbow so we were face to face. "If there's no way around it, and you need an heir, I understand. Just promise you won't send me away. I'd rather stay and be your servant, whether you're married or not."

Tannix stared at me, and I couldn't read his expression. It made me nervous. I almost thought he might say that he'd have to send me away.

"I love you," he said instead.

He'd never said it before. His feelings showed in everything he said to me and everything he did, but he'd never said it.

"What?" I faltered, not capable of saying anything more eloquent.

"I love you, Finagale."

I closed the distance between us in a heartbeat and kissed him. Tannix slid his arms around me, holding me snugly. I lost myself in the moment. He did too.

Loud knocking broke into my dreams. I groaned and pulled the blankets over my head, trying to hold onto sleep and the memories of the last night. It had been dark and chilly by the time we left the roof, but the moon had given off enough light for a careful climb back down to the window. We'd crawled into bed and fallen asleep. I wanted to stay asleep.

Tannix moved around beside me, getting to his feet. He smacked my shoulder to wake me up before walking away. I heard him rummaging through his wardrobe. "Finn! Get up!"

I sat up suddenly, terrified by the panic in his voice more than the fact that he'd yelled at me. Without asking any of the questions that filled my head, I climbed out of bed and pulled on my boots, grateful that I had been too tired to bother changing earlier.

Tannix had hastily pulled on a shirt and was already striding towards the door. He paused to grab his sword, and without bothering to put on his belt, flung open the door. Acen was standing there, his fist raised to bang on the door again. They didn't say anything, but began to briskly walk down the hall. I jogged to catch up with them.

We walked downstairs to the meeting room where I had first met Tannix's family. Two guards pulled open the heavy doors so Tannix and Acen could rush in without pausing. I followed timidly, my mind racing as I tried to understand what was going on.

Lady Clairia and Tairia sat at the table. They were both wearing simple nightgowns, which seemed inappropriate given all the men in the room. Lady Clairia's face was buried in her hands, and Tairia's arms were flung over her mother's shoulders as she sobbed.

Tannix stormed over to the table, ignoring the guards who tried to speak to him. Acen took up his usual post by the door. The room was filled with guards I didn't know, but I spotted Jalor and Evrik standing near the windows. An older guard I vaguely recognized draped a huge blanket over Lady Clairia and Tairia.

Tannix leaned forward onto his hands, still holding his sword in its scabbard. "What's going on? Is it Tandrin?"

"It isn't Tandrin," Lady Clairia said, her voice shaky.

Tannix's eyes widened and he glanced quickly around the room. "Where's father?" His question was met by silence. His usual calm demeanor started to break, and he clenched his right hand. "Mother, where is he?"

It was Tairia who answered. "He's dead."

Tannix went perfectly still. I wanted to touch him, to comfort him somehow, but I stayed back a respectful distance with my hands clasped behind my back. For a moment, nobody moved and the only sound was Lady Clairia and Tairia crying.

"How?" Tannix finally asked. His voice was flat. He was trying to distance himself from the situation. To look at it like a leader instead of a family member.

One of the older guards stepped forward. "Assassination, my lord," he said, his voice laced with pain. I thought he might have been one of Lord Tandrael's guards. "We..." the man paused, seemed to compose himself, and continued, "We have men looking, but chances are the criminal is already gone."

Tannix stared at him for a moment, as if the information had to sink in. Then he threw his sword, scabbard and all, across the room. It clattered against the wall loudly—too loudly in the solemn room. Evrik moved to pick it up.

Tannix placed both hands flat on the table, and heavily leaned onto them. He took a few deep breaths. He needed me, but there was nothing I could do. "How did somebody get in?"

"The window," the same older guard replied. "The guards at his bedchamber door saw nothing. Even," he cast the ladies a quick glance, "your mother heard nothing. She woke up and found him already dead. The physician determined that it happened hours ago."

Tannix nodded slowly. "We must send word to Tandrin. He has to come back to assume leadership over the city. Find me a messenger." A guard started to move, but Lady Clairia waved at him to stop.

"Tandrix." Her voice was choked with grief, but still strong. "Your brother cannot come back. He's betrothed to the princess. He's going to be king. Your father and I discussed it with him while he was here. We were going to hold the official ceremony in a month, naming you heir to the city."

"He has to come back," Tannix repeated, as if his mother hadn't spoken. "Find me a messenger."

Before any of the guards could move, the doors swung open. Hands flew to swords, then instantly relaxed, slightly, when it was Roland who stepped through. He looked disheveled and exhausted. With barely a glance around the room, he rushed around the table.

Lady Clairia rose to meet him, and was immediately enveloped in his arms. Maybe normally it would have been inappropriate. But given the circumstances, no one batted an eye.

"Clairia, I'm sorry." His voice shook. "Tairia, lass—" He drew her in as well, and let them both cry against his chest. "I just heard."

"Roland," Tannix said. "You need to go to Zianna and get Tandrin, tell him—"

"I've just come from Zianna, lad." Roland stepped away from the ladies. "I was sent out immediately, but the news will already be spreading. The king is dead. Long live the queen."

"Tandrin?" Lady Clairia asked.

"Tandrin is acting king." Roland nodded. "Queen Esmeranda gave him the title. Of course it won't be official until their wedding, but yes. Tandrin is the king."

"Tandrin is the king?" Tannix repeated. He'd paled visibly.

I almost stepped forward. I almost went to him. Then Acen moved, and dropped to one knee in front of Tannix. "Lord West Draulin. I pledge—"

"Get up," Tannix snapped. "I'm not Lord West Draulin. Tandrin is. He was always meant to be. Roland, you need to get him."

Acen didn't stand. "My lord—"

"I'm a knight!" Tannix yelled, suddenly aggressive. "I'm a soldier, and Tandrin is heir."

Roland cleared his throat. "The king was assassinated. So was Tandrael. Tandrix, you have every right to be upset with what's happened. But we have to acknowledge that this is a coordinated attack against Zianna."

The doors started to swing open again. Tannix turned around, his expression so fierce that I pitied whoever was about to walk through.

It was Kor, panting. "My lord. I have a report from the men on the walls. They see flames, across the Straits. East Draulin is on fire."

Tannix closed his eyes. There was a long, drawn out silence while everyone waited for him to say something. It could have been hours before he finally opened his eyes and looked at Roland. "Return to Zianna with a message for King Tandrin. Tell him that Lord Tandrael is dead and East Draulin is lost. Deorun has declared war."