Maven leads me to a small courtyard garden. There's a single table, lit by candles. Two glasses of wine rest beside plate full of delicious looking food. He's certainly knows how to be romantic. I suddenly feel a twinge of guilt about the listening device. For all I know, there could be a caring Maven somewhere in there. Maybe. We sit, and he still clutches my hand. I have to admit, in this world of silvers and beauty, this garden is the nicest thing I've seen here. It's just more natural than the crystal and gold.
Although it's a warm night, I shiver.
"Cold?" Maven asks.
"I'm fine."
"Listen, Mare-" I feel a wave of annoyance. He's practically been avoiding me for the past few weeks, and now he wants to talk? I should ask him about the list. After all, I am queen. I should have some power.
"Maven, we really need to talk about the Newbloods." I say, making sure to leech the annoyance out of my voice.
"That's not really why we're here…" He mutters, trailing off.
"I've barely said two words to you for weeks. You might be busy running a country, but you've been gazing over the important things. Let me help with the Newbloods. You already do so much." Nothing but a bit of flattery to help things along.
But he waves me off. "We'll talk about this later. You're my wife, Mare. Why can't I just spend sometime with you when I'm not king of Norta?"
I bite my tongue and resisted the urge to shout, You chose to be king! You killed your father and brother for this, and all you do is complain? But arguing with him won't get me what I want.
"Fine." I say. "Later."
We eat in silence for a while. A candle is blown out by the wind, and Maven casually lights it with the flick of his wrist.
"Tell me about your home." Maven says to break the silence.
Instead of spouting a ton of sarcasm that's at the tip of my tongue , I decide to indulge him. "When I was little, I used to tell stories with my brothers. Gisa wasn't born yet. We'd make up tales about how we were silvers, and had abilities. We'd pretend that we'd rescue all the reds, and build ourselves a big palace, with lots of food, mainly deserts. We'd pretend that we were lords and ladies, kings and queens. Strong and powerful, but also kind. We gave out food and lec rations to everyone. Once we got older though, and understood that we'd never be powerful, never be important, we stopped."
Maven looks amused. "What was your ability?" he asks.
I don't know why, but I blush. "I was always a burner. Shade was a telkie, and Bree and Tramy were both strongarms."
Maven grins. "Well, you are a queen now. Funny how fate works."
"Yeah." I wonder how my family is. Are they okay? Worried? Hurt? My face falls, and Maven grips my hand again.
As is he can read my thoughts he says, "Don't worry. They're okay." I don't know why, but I hear the implied, for now. Even if it might not be there at all.
"Want to see something?" Even asks.
"Okay."
He extinguishes the candles. The sun has already set, so it's pretty dark. Then, high above us, a small globe of blue fire appears, it doesn't cast much light, so we're still bathed in darkness. The ball splits into two, then four, the eight balls of fire, then more and more, until the sky is dotted with blue specks of light. Almost like stars.
"It's beautiful." I say.
Maven smirks. "I know."
We stand, and he holds my hands. Suddenly I'm reminded of a dancing dark room with another boy.
But when Maven kisses me that all goes away. I remember every encouraging smile, every reassuring squeeze of my hand. And I wonder, how much of that Maven was a lie? Could he really be that different from the Maven kissing me? My head thinks yes, but my stupid, traitorous, heart screams no.
When maven kisses me, the world melts away. It's just the two of us. No reds, no silvers, just me and him. My whole life could be like this. I could forget the scarlet guard, my family, and the reds, and live here, happily.
But that could never happen. Even if I wanted to, I could never fit here. Not even if I tried.
I pull away.
"Goodnight, Maven." I say, and don't look back.