Page 13 of The King's Man 1

“What if this happens again? When your magic fails?”

“I’d rather never drink again!” I groan.

We fall quiet.

After a moment, I shift my gaze toward the fire and murmur, “I desperately want to be a vitalian. It’s my dream.”

“Your only dream?” he asks quietly.

I nod. “If I ever stray from it, I hope someone will boldly plonk me back on the right path.” I tilt my head back, gaze rising to the smoke curling into the starry sky above the luminarium’s dome. “I think that might be true love.”

“Helping one stay on the right path?”

“No.” I turn to him. “Helpingone anotherstay on the path.”

Maybe it’s the night air, the leftover fear from the earthshake, or the firelight softening his sharp edges, but something shifts. We talk easily. Until we yawn. Until we curl beside the fire and sleep overtakes us.

Deep.

Dreamless.

And when I wake...

The luminarium is quiet.

Empty.

My breath is the only breath to fog the air.

Maybe... maybe he went out to forage?

I wait.

I pace.

I call his name.

I search the rocky ledges outside.

I wait some more.

But he doesn’t come back.

Calix is gone.

I kick the cold ashes and stub my toe. A laugh sputters out of me.Of course.What was I thinking?

That one night wouldmeansomething?

That we were, what,friends?

I wrap my robe tighter and start down the mountain.

No note. No goodbye. Not even a horse left behind.

I’m going to get an earful from Father.

And my brother. This robe...

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