Page 142 of Black Wing and Shadows
“You menace!” Micah wailed, clutching his bread roll like it was his last meal.
“You’ll live.” Lorenzo grinned, snagging a potato while Micah was distracted.
Akira groaned, shoving her tray between them. “If you two start another food war, I swear by the God of Wymond I’ll throw you both out the window.”
Sadie lifted her goblet high, smirking. “To Wymond—may they save us from Micah’s whining!”
The table howled. Even Thora cracked a smile before hiding it behind her mug.
Around us, chaos spread. At Eagle Wing’s table, someone pounded a rhythm, cadets slamming cups in time. Dragon Wing roared back with a call-and-response that rattled the hall until even the professors gave up silencing it.
Esme rumbled in my chest, amused.“Your kind sings like carrion birds fighting over scraps. Yet… it stirs something.”
“It’s called tradition,”I thought back,grinning.
Zane slid onto the bench beside me, his arm brushing mine. He didn’t join the shouting, but the corner of his mouth curved faintly as he watched.
“Enjoying yourself?” I teased.
“Not really.” He dropped his voice so only I heard. “But I like seeing you laugh.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I ducked, spooning stew before anyone noticed. For a heartbeat, tomorrow didn’t exist. Tonight, we were loud. Reckless. Alive.
***
The noise still rang in my ears when I closed my chamber door later. I packed clothes beside the med bag my mother had given me. My body ached, my stomach was too full, and my head still buzzed with laughter. Esme was already settled in the vale. I collapsed onto my bed with a groan.
“You look dead.”
I nearly jumped out of my skin. Zane sat at my desk, shadows clinging like armor. Far too comfortable for someone who’d broken into my room.
“You could warn me,” I hissed, hand on my chest.
“I could,” he said flatly. “But this was priceless. I’ve got a dark streak.”
“You’re insufferable.”
His smirk softened as he leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Tomorrow,” he said quietly. “You’ll meet my family.”
My stomach clenched. “Ashwynd. The duke. Your siblings. Fuck, that’s a lot. I might need a refresher.”
“My father’s informal with family. My mother will love you. Names are Aeliana, Theodora or Thea, Arkin, Helena, Adrian, and Elizabeth. Don’t be nervous. I’ll be holding your hand.”
I laughed harshly. “Nervous? Zane, your father is the Duke of the Veil of Vultures. Your family lives in a city named for ash and wind. Mine lives in secrets and lies. Meeting them isn’t going to be easy.”
His expression softened more, shadows yielding to warmth. “They’ll see you as I do.”
“I hope so.”
He leaned closer, voice dropping low, the bond carrying it like a vow. “Tomorrow they’ll know. You’re mine. You belong with me.”
My breath caught. For once, I didn’t argue. I only whispered, “And if they don’t approve?”
Zane’s jaw flexed, storm-dark eyes steady. “Their approval doesn’t matter. But I doubt it’ll be an issue. One last thing…”
“Yes?”
“There may be… possibly… a painted picture of you in my room.”
