"Right. The two Princes. You have a twin, right? And an older brother?"
"Yes. They both start school with me this quarter, but Kai doesn't really get along with Father. Wytt does a little better, but only marginally. We'd hoped this would be a fresh start for us all, but I suppose not."
"That jerk back at the theater, the Inquisitor—you seemed to know each other?"
Corinne frowns. "He grew up with us after his parents were arrested for treason. He was a nice kid when he was young. It's sad what he's become."
Sad… or monstrous. I don't voice my opinion though. It must be hard to see someone you knew as a child turn into someone like him.
"He looks young for a Cardinal," I say.
She shakes her head. "Many Cardinals died during the war. Now, young and strong is the preference. Like the Pope."
I nod, making a note to further research our religious orders.
We drink in silence for a few moments when Corinne smiles. "Oh, I nearly forgot!"
She pulls two shirts out of her purse and hands one to me. "I got us souvenirs from the show."
I hold the shirt up and smile. Nox Aeterna is written in silver across the chest, and on the back are large silver wings. It's more appropriate than she realizes. "Thank you. This is great."
She grins. "I'm glad you like it."
We finish our drinks, enjoying the anonymity in the large city. Once we pay and leave, I tuck my hands into my pockets and look around. "What do you want to do next?"
"I promised Wytt we'd meet him back at Castle V for dinner. He's dying to meet you, but I didn't want to overwhelm you with all of us at once. I told him it was girls only. Plus he's a total flirt, so prepare yourself. It's harmless, though, I assure you."
***
Corinne and I arrive at the dining hall and load up our trays. There are dozens of cheeses and breads to choose from. There are thin cuts of meat and juicy steaks, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as an assortment of delicacies and desserts. The aromas are overwhelming. None of it appeals to me.
I grab a Life Force and some salad, hoping the taste doesn't disgust me, and follow Corinne to our seats. A young man rests his feet on the pristine table, watching the giant screen at the end of the hall. Two armor-clad Knights battle on the eScreen, an announcer describing their every move. The young man cheers as one of the Knights strikes a hit, and his smile is wide as he sweeps the brown hair from his purple eyes.
"Scarlett, this is my brother, Wytt. Wytt, this—"
"Scarlett Night. What a pleasure." He stands and bows and takes my hand and gently kisses it.
This has never happened to me before.
Wytt lets go of my hand and studies me. It doesn't feel invasive, just curious. "Your eyes are truly beautiful," he says. "Has anyone told you that?"
"A few times."
He nods knowingly. "Ah, but have they written of their beauty? Have they sung of their brilliance?" He clears his throat and deepens his voice. "There once was a maiden born of the night, with silver-blue eyes like diamonds dancing."
Corinne makes a dismissive gesture with her hand. "Ignore my brother, he fancies himself a ladies' man."
Wytt winks and sits back down. "And the ladies fancy him."
Corrine and I take our seat across from Wytt, and I begin to nibble on my food. I sip Life Force with every bite, so it doesn't taste horrible. Corrine devours her steak, the grease dripping down her fingers. I chuckle.
"What?" asks Corinne, her mouth stuffed full of food.
Wytt grins. "Scarlett has never seen the Princess of Ravens hungry."
"It's okay," I say. "I guess I expected you to be more…"
"Refined?" offers Wytt. "We are when in front of cameras or important persons. We're very good at it. For most our life, we've been refined, but—"
"Now we're free," says Corinne, shoving another piece of meat in her mouth.
"Not free, exactly." Wytt pops a grape into his mouth. "But since we've become Initiates at Castle Vianney, we're freer."
"I think it's great," I say. "You should live the life you want."
"Maybe one day we will." Wytt leans back in his chair, folding his arms. "Do you enjoy philosophy, Scarlett?"
"Sure." My parents loved philosophical debates, and they never thought I was too young to participate.
Wytt lowers his voice. "Then, philosophically, what is your opinion of Nightfall? Is she the hero, chosen to save her people, or the monster, destined to destroy them?"
Nightfall's been the talk of the city. I've tried to avoid the conversations, but I can't ignore Wytt. He's a possible ally at the Castle, and I need allies. "Neither. She wants to give Zeniths hope, so Zeniths may save themselves."
"Bombing a factory. Two hundred dead. Stealing an aircraft. Twenty-nine dead. That's what they've done with their hope."
I heard his examples on the news, but couldn't remember the exact numbers. The Red Eagles and The Sons of Eden, rebels not under my control, have grown bold since Nightfall's appearance. Their methods are crude, but perhaps they could lead to greater change. "Extreme measures, but how else can balance be restored? The pendulum must swing the other way before it can rest in the middle."
Wytt smirks. "One who is injured ought not to return the injury, for on no account can it be right to do an injustice."