"Lucian, how do I look?"

  Lucian stopped arranging the leaves in Skylar's hair. She had asked so suddenly, and so seriously, that he took a moment to study her expression. His brows furrowed when Skylar nodded at him, encouraging him for a genuine answer.

  So Lucian looked at her. He really looked at her. His gaze started at the leaves he'd adorned her hair with, traveled down the contours of her face to the tear along her skirt, and finally, ended at her dirt covered slippers. Skylar blinked uncomfortably and felt her face grow a little warm. She shifted on her feet, unable to keep still. She felt surprisingly self-conscious under her friend's gaze, and was was confused as to why he was taking so long to give her such an obvious answer. She was filthy. In complete disorder. Unlike how any noble born Lady should be. She grew impatient and wanted to push him for an answer.

  "What are you staring at? Just go ahead and say it, I look—

  "Beautiful."

  If they weren't standing so close to each other, Skylar would not have heard it. It was a whisper. A breath. Spoken like a secret. "You look beautiful," he said a little louder.

  Skylar had nothing to say in return. That was the last thing she expected Lucian to say, and so her mind emptied itself out. She was perplexed, even more so because Lucian did not look like he was teasing her. That would have made much more sense. She huffed, even though she wasn't actually angry, and shook her head.

  "Lucian, be honest! How do I really look?"

  "I am being honest."

  "No, Sir, you are being… odd," she argued, discontent with his answers and his behaviour. "I have leaves in my hair, my dress is torn; no one would consider me even human in such a state, let alone beautiful."

  Realisation lightened Lucian's face, and he nodded like he finally understood what she was asking him.

  "Ah, I see, I see. You have asked me the wrong question, then. You want to know what everyone else would think if they were to look at you now."

  "…I suppose?"

  "They would think that you've been in quite a serious battle with a tree."

  Lucian's response was so amusing that Skylar snorted with laughter. She caught herself and covered her mouth with her hand. The unbecoming sound could be heard even behind her palm, and Skylar could not stop it. Lucian laughed, though it was hard to tell whether he laughed with or her at her. Knowing the Sunborne heir, it was both.

  When Skylar was able to calm herself down, a wide and rather pleased grin painted her face; she was very satisfied with Lucian's answer. But it was not the answer she was looking for.

  "Good," she said. Skylar leaned down and grabbed the hem of her dress to inspect the tear from earlier. It was not too bad, reaching just under her ankle. Skylar bit her lip and carefully pulled on the fabric, and with a sharp rrirpp, it tore even further.

  "Sky—What are you doing?"

  Skylar looked up to see that Lucian was looking at everything but her again. It was an amusing sight, one she enjoyed watching for a moment. The tips of his ears were pink, and his voice shook when he spoke. He struggled with his expression, unable to decide whether to stay calm, or be bashful, or irate.

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  "A battle with a tree is fine enough, but I want to look worse. I need to look like I've been beaten by one," Skylar explained, amused by her own response. She laughed again and adjusted the leaves Lucian had pushed into her hair. She braided them through, to make sure they didn't fall out. She even added a few more, joking that someone might mistake her hair for a beautiful red rose.

  Lucian cocked his head, a breath of uncertain laughter leaving his lips. "Yes, they might. Skylar… I know you said Vera is patient but—

  "There's been a change of plans, my dear friend," Skylar corrected. "I will not be returning to my chambers."

  Lucian looked at her. His attention did not stray and he did not say anything, but he did not have to. Skylar knew her friend was bracing himself for what she would say next. His silence had a purpose. He didn't want to discourage or refuse her straight away. He knew that duty had distanced them, and how Skylar felt about that. So, before he inevitably chose his role as Ward of Astros, her parents over their friendship, he allowed Skylar to believe she had a chance. It was a performance , and there had been many, each with their own twists and turns. But they all had the same ending. The curtains would close, and though she expected it, it did not hurt any less when Lucian refused her.

  "Or rather, my chambers will not be my first destination for the night," Skylar said, while wondering what else she could do to liven her appearance up a little more. "I have wasted so much time out here, when my betrothed is inside, waiting to see me. I must go and visit him at once."

  The words were said. Her daring intentions, though unspoken, painfully obvious. It wouldn't take long for Lucian to refuse her or her scandalous plan: an unseemly appearance, a shocking scare, and an insulted Lord of Xoras. And hopefully, a union disrupted and quickly cancelled.

  Lucian would never let her go through with it, though. If he did, no matter what tale they spun, her father would be very disappointed, and her mother would never forgive him. And Skylar knew she wouldn't be able to outrun Lucian. Not this time. There were no secret doorways to help her now.

  She waited for the inevitable. The refusal. The dismissal. Even a reprimand. Perhaps he'd question how she could even think of such a thing, or remind her of what her father would think, what her mother might do. Then they'd walk to her chambers. To a stuffy dress. To a waiting betrothed.

  Lucian's expression was unreadable. She watched him, waiting for the familiar shifts of the lines in his face. The softening that meant he was about to let her down gently, or the firmness, that meant he could not.

  Lucian's lips curved.

  It spread across his lips slowly. It was scheming. Knowing. It lit up his whole face.

  "I agree, my Lady."

  Skylar blinked. "You… what?"

  "It is not acceptable that you've made him wait so long." His voice was controlled, formal, but his eyes sparkled. "You must not keep him waiting any longer. You should go at once."

  Skylar stared at him, searching for the catch. Was this a trick? Was he being cruel, giving her hope just to shut her down?

  But Lucian was smiling. Truly smiling. Skylar could always tell when he was teasing her, stringing her along. His face was bright with a mischievousness that made him look younger, like the boy who used to sneak through the castle with her, stealing treats and exploring secret passages.

  "Really?" The word came out quiet, fragile. She didn't dare believe it.

  Lucian tilted his head, pretending to consider. "You took the time to braid your hair." He gestured at the leaves. "To tailor your dress and perfume your skin with…" He leaned in slightly. "What is that scent? Dirt? Rainwater?"

  She smacked his arm. Lucian laughed. He picked a flower, a blue rose, off the nearby flowerbed, and placed it in her hair. His fingers brushed her ear, and Skylar shivered.

  "I'm sure the Lord of Xoras will be speechless the moment he sees you. In fact, I am counting for it."

  Skylar felt a warm flutter in her chest. A grin tugged at her own lips. She was happy, and it was an unexpected happiness. At that moment, they were on the same page again. They were on the same side. Like when they ruled the world together as friends and allies.

  Allies.

  She would treasure every moment of this.

  "Oh, I do hope so." She matched his tone, letting the amusement and mischief seep into her own voice. "I want to make him lose any ability to think when he sees me. I want to show him a glimpse of the future he will have once he marries me."

  Her composure cracked first, and Lucian followed. He turned on his heel, slamming the hint of his glaive on the ground. Then, an exaggerated bow.

  "Shall we go, my Lady?"

  Skylar nodded and stood tall with her torn dress and leaf-covered hair.

  "We shall."