Page 13 of Blood Currents
“A valuable consultant,” Father cut in.“The council is exploring new approaches to maintain order.Given recent events.”
“Recent events,” I echoed.“You mean Keane.”
“Among other things.”Mother studied me with eyes that had caught countless lies.“The Alstone situation has highlighted certain vulnerabilities in our current system.”
“His instability was always a risk,” I said, hating myself for the words even as I spoke them.“Though I admit I didn’t expect such a dramatic manifestation.”
“Dramatic manifestations often have subtle beginnings,” Father said.“Inappropriate attachments.Emotional bonds that compromise judgment.The kind of natural magical harmony that feels powerful but ultimately proves destructive.”
There it was.The warning wrapped in observation.
“I understand,” I said.“Discipline and control are paramount.”
“Precisely.”Mother leaned back, marginally satisfied.“Which is why next week’s dinner is so important.Several influential families will be attending.They’ll be watching to see how the younger generation responds to recent challenges.”
“You want me to publicly distance myself from Keane.”My entire body felt tight, but I had to push through.I couldn’t let it show.
“We want you to demonstrate mature judgment,” Father corrected.“To show that you understand the difference between childhood associations and adult responsibilities.”
I nodded slowly, letting them see me process this like a dutiful son wrestling with difficult truths.Inside, I was thinking of Marigold’s face when she talked about helping people, about doing what was right regardless of the cost.
“I understand,” I repeated.“Shall I prepare specific remarks?”
“No,” Mother decided.“Spontaneous responses will seem more genuine.Simply be yourself.”
Like she wasn’t the one who’d choreographed my every gesture since birth.I almost applauded the line.She delivered it flawlessly.
“Of course,” I agreed.“I’ll represent the family appropriately.”
The rest of the conversation covered expected ground—veiled threats about the consequences of inappropriate associations, reminders about family loyalty, discussions of political positioning that felt more like battle plans.
Through it all, I gave them what they expected.The son who understood duty.Who valued family advancement.Who would never let something as inconvenient as genuine emotion compromise his usefulness.
They dismissed me eventually, satisfied that I understood my role.I maintained the performance until the portal closed behind me, depositing me back at the academy.
Only then, alone in my suite with Echo curled on my shoulder, did I let the mask drop.
I didn’t go to bed.
Instead, I took my violin from its case.The wood felt warm, familiar—one of the few things in my life that hadn’t been choreographed by my parents.Echo climbed onto the windowsill, her scales shifting through muted shades of silver and blue.
The first notes came soft and then deeper, bleeding into something raw.I didn’t need illusions here.No audience, no mask.Just me and the one thing that had ever belonged only to me.
I lost myself in memories.I played for Zhang—the first one I’d lost because I hadn’t been strong enough to fight for him.For Keane—broken and used as proof of everything the council would do to stay in power.And for Marigold—the girl who looked at me and saw someone real, even when I wasn’t sure I could be.
The melody swelled, aching and unguarded.
I’ll protect you,I promised silently.Even if you never know how much of myself I have to give up to do it.
I told myself this was temporary.That I could be the heir my parents demanded in public and still be hers in private.That I could balance both lives indefinitely, no matter the cost.
The music trembled on a last lingering note.Echo tilted her head, her colors settling into a cautious gold, like she wasn’t convinced by the lie I’d just told myself.
6
Marigold
I sat on the couchin Elio’s sanctuary, book in hand, watching him pace the room like a man possessed.The sparse furniture gave him plenty of room.Even with the weeks we’d been together, we’d left this space simple—the couch, an old desk, a wooden chair, a table, and a few lamps.The clear sky above was lit with stars most nights and gave the room an otherworldly feel.
