The Prince of Daybreak: The Heir to Moondust, #2

By Lou Wilham

A cursed prince. A journey toward destiny.

Cursed twice over, Takayoshi has but one choice, find an ancient archive before his curse swallows the man he loves forever. His new friend Claudia-warrior, historian, sass-master all rolled into one-comes along for the ride.

To find answers, Takayoshi will have to defeat monsters, learn to trust others, and face his own hubris.

A frolicking LGBTQ+ fantasy novel steeped in action, wit, and all of the corniness. Perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett's Discworld, Neil Gaiman's Stardust, and William Goldman's The Princess Bride.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing
• Release date: Feb 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215365786

Book preview

There was once a young man, a young prince, rather, who lost everything he thought he could ever hold dear in the span of a fortnight...

Long ago, in a kingdom not unlike this one, the lady Venus grew more jealous of the Sun by the day. Helios shone too brightly, drew too much attention, and was too well loved by the other gods. How could she compete? And so, out of jealousy and spite, she cursed him and his descendants. Their love would only ever end in pain, and Helios’s line would only know heartbreak, until the sun and moon became one.

The first king of the kingdom of Helio knew of the curse, but thought himself above it, thus was taken quite by surprise when his wife died in childbirth. The loneliness consumed him, and he died not a month later.

So it was that every man or woman who thought themselves above the curse suffered, losing first their love and then themselves to the heartbreak.

After centuries of this trend the elders of Helio made a decision, there would be no more marriages for love, only arranged marriages. It was best, they concluded, to protect their people and their line.

Centuries more past in this way, and while the arranged marriages continued, the curse became first legend, then lore, and then it was all but forgotten. Just a story tucked into a dusty book that had not been opened in hundreds of years. And so, it should have been no surprise to anyone, not even Venus herself who had long since grown bored of this game, when the prince Shinjiro fell in love with and married a young peasant girl named Cayleen.

It seemed, for a time, that they had overcome the curse, outrun it as it were.

Cayleen gave birth first to a son whom they named Takayoshi. A beautiful white-haired boy, with a serious countenance, and all-seeing eyes. Then two years later to a daughter named Atsuko with long flowing dark hair like her mother's, and the kindest smile they had ever seen.

But curses, while they may be delayed a while, they do not simply go away, they must be broken. And the only way to break this one was for the sun and the moon to become one, which they were not, and likely would never be. For how could the sun and the moon become a single being? It was not possible.

Takayoshi was four years, six months, and three weeks, exactly, when his mother first fell ill. She struggled with her sickness for months. King Shinjiro brought all manner of healer, and doctor, and witch to their door to help her, but nothing worked. And on the day after Takayoshi's fifth name day, Cayleen finally succumbed to her illness.

Shinjiro was devastated. He fell into a deep depression. His brother, and children did everything in their power to cheer him up, but, despite their efforts, not more than a handful of days later, the king took his own life.

It was then that Takayoshi decided he would never suffer, nor subject another to suffer, the fate which had befallen his mother and father. He would never fall in love.

The young prince turned to books for his answer, and after some guiding from the librarian he found a spell—a curse, rather, in his mind—which would draw his lines of fate to another. Someone of his choosing. He would choose an impossible love then, one that would never exist. This was better than heartbreak, he reasoned.

I don't think this is a good idea, Atsuko whispered, her face drawn in the candlelight as she wriggled in her seat, making the chair beneath her creak. Uncle will be upset.

Uncle need never know, Takayoshi's bare feet padded softly on the stone floor as he pulled the dagger from its place amongst Father's things. The array was drawn in chalk—purple—from Atsuko's art kit.

This is dark magic, Shishi. There'll be a price.

Of course there will be a price. He understood this. He was willing to pay the price, whatever it was, for surely it would be less than the pain that would come later should he know the soaring sweep of love as Father and Mother had known it. He pressed the blade to the delicate skin of his inner arm, drawing in a hissed breath to steady himself.

What will you ask for? Atsuko's fingers tapped at her toes where she had crossed her feet up over her knees in a position that surely would make them lose circulation. You'll want them to be pretty.

Takayoshi rolled his eyes. That is not the point of this.

He hissed as the blade drew the first line of crimson. Blood magic was forbidden in Helio. Considered dark, and twisted, even for all the times the people of Lunette had proven it otherwise. Still, that would not stop Takayoshi.

The drips echoed in the silence of Father's room where Takayoshi had rolled the rug back so it would be easier to hide the evidence later. The chalk glowed faintly, pale moonlight chasing away the shadows left over by the single lit candle.

Atsuko gasped, her little legs falling to dangle over the edge of her chair as her eyes grew wide.

What do you desire? A voice echoed from the array, soft enough that had the room not been quiet he may have missed it.

An impossible love, Takayoshi said, his mouth suddenly dry as he licked his lips. He will have hair long enough to trail stardust in his wake, the color of the midnight sky. Eyes the shade of the first rays of the moon over the horizon. Freckles will dance across his nose, which will wrinkle when he laughs. And what a laugh it will be, high and bright and full of life. He will be clever beyond reason, much smarter than one so silly should ever be. His smile will rival the sun. Takayoshi squeezed his eyes closed, and sealed the deal. The most impossible thing that a person, even one of magic, could be. And his fury will be that of a dragon. It will come in a rush like the river, on talons, and scales, and the flight of the wind.

A dragon. Takayoshi heard his sister squeak in horror.

Is that all? The voice questioned, and if Takayoshi did not know any better, he would say it sounded amused.

It is.

What do you give in trade?

Color, Takayoshi said. He had thought long and hard about this, and he knew that color was something he could sacrifice. He had no love of art as Atsuko had, his love was in music. He could do that without knowing color. I would give my ability to see color for this impossible love.

All there was for a suffocating moment was the sound of Atsuko trying to stifle her worried mumbling behind her hands, and the soft drip drip drip of the blood still trailing down Takayoshi's wrist.

Then, the deal is struck. You will not know color until you find your impossible love. The array began to dim. I wish you the best of luck, young prince, it added almost as an afterthought.

Thank you. Takayoshi bowed his head, his eyes closed tight. He did not open them again until the white light of the array had stopped burning through the lids, and when he did, the room was a wash of blacks, and whites, and grays.

Did it work? Atsuko hissed, whether she hoped the answer would be yes or no, he was not sure.

It did. Takayoshi rubbed at his eyes, trying to adjust to the strangeness of a world washed of color. Help me clean this up before Uncle sees.

Most stories begin at the beginning and run straight through till the end. This one, begins in the middle. Somewhere after the beginning, but long before the end.

Prince Takayoshi liked the moment when it first started to snow. When the first fat flakes drifted down from the skies like downy bits of fluff. It had long been his habit to stay up to watch the first flakes fall, no matter how late. Coating the world in a blanket of white that left it feeling new—cleansed.

Not now though.

Now, the snow reminded him of how far he was up the mountain, Lunette and her prince feeling like a distant summertime daydream. Worn, and fading around the edges. Even the memory of the first time Takayoshi had seen him—the one that held the first real traces of color Takayoshi had seen since he was five years old—had begun to blur with wear.

Takayoshi closed his eyes, and retreated back to that memory. Back to the way Cricket had flopped into the chair across from him, all midnight hair, and dazzling starlit gaze.

Blue, he remembered thinking, that is what blue looks like.

Then Cricket had almost fallen face first out of his chair, and Takayoshi had been lost entirely. Because how could one person be that hopelessly charming, and just not realize it? It would not have mattered if they were soulmates or not, if Takayoshi had tied them together with a curse or not, he had known he wanted to know Cricket better in that exact moment. And in all the moments that came after, he had not been disappointed.

It had been over a year—a year and six days, his mind unhelpfully supplied—since he had left Lunette under the prince's orders, since he had last seen color. And every day since then he had replayed their fight over and over, trying to think of a way that it could have ended differently. These thoughts made it hard to sleep, to train, to meditate, to think of little else. Yet, Takayoshi could find no way around them, and no solution to the question of how it all could have been otherwise.

"I don't care if he did abdicate the throne when he was ten. He spent six months running around Lunette like some common lordling, playing white knight, and then came home to sulk! For a year! An entire year and a half wasted, Atsuko!"

Ah, Uncle is awake. Takayoshi marked his page in the book in front of him, closing it carefully. His eyes flitted to the fluttering flakes outside the big bay window of his rooms with a sigh. Peace could not last, it seemed.

He's nearly twenty-four, we've given him enough time. He will meet with the matchmakers, so help me. Uncle stormed into the room without so much as a knock, Atsuko hot on his heels.

Takayoshi turned to raise a brow at them both. Atsuko, for all that she did not have a hair out of place, looked flustered, her gaze bouncing from one thing to the next, struggling to focus. And Uncle, harried, hair a mess, clothes askew, eyes wide.

Sorry, Atsuko whispered, shooting him an apologetic smile. Atsuko could not have stopped Uncle, no matter how she tried. Takayoshi did not hold this disturbance against her.

Good morning, Uncle.

It is time that you got married, Uncle said without preamble. It is your duty to your people, and it's well past time that you did it.

I am not king; I do not see why that would be necessary. Takayoshi ignored how his body twitched to rise and put some distance between himself and Uncle. Running away from the conversation seemed preferable to sitting and listening, but that would be rude and cowardly, of which he was neither. And besides, he reminded himself, he had run away quite enough of late.

Uncle, Shishi is right, he doesn't have to get married if he doesn't want. We've already started the process of finding me a match, we don't need⁠—

He will be married before his twenty-fifth name day, Uncle cut off Atsuko, an act that Uncle would have glowered at had anyone else done it. One did not cut off the queen of Helio. Unless one was her irate Uncle, it seemed.

You can tell the matchmakers, Takayoshi said, tone measured. Atsuko's face lit up, an almost manic grin taking over her features. She knew what he was going to say. How could she not? Takayoshi had always been perfectly transparent to his sister. That I have met someone.

Uncle stopped mid-pace, his jaw falling slack. What?

Oh really? Atsuko asked, delight layering her words.

Takayoshi bit down on the tip of his tongue to keep his sister’s excitement from infecting him.

Is that why you've been up here sulking? Did they— Uncle still sounded irritated, but much of the ire had dripped out of him like water through a sieve. Did they reject you?

Who is it? What's their name? Atsuko brushed past Uncle, and took Takayoshi's hands in her own, giving them a squeeze. Tell me all about them.

If you've found someone, why aren't you out there courting them? Uncle asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Shhh. Let Shishi tell it, Uncle. Atsuko waved him off, her gaze returning to her brother. Well?

Yue Cricket. Takayoshi knew the weight of the name. It was not ideal to say this much in front of Uncle. He would have preferred to just tell his sister, and let her handle Uncle and his nonsense. But it seemed it could not be helped. Takayoshi had been holding this in for months now, and he wanted to tell Atsuko, his only real friend. Perhaps he should have felt guilty that he had kept this from her for so long. He did not. Cricket had been his secret, to hoard away, and ponder over, hoping some solution would arise. Atsuko would merely insist that he return to Lunette and court the prince properly. That could not happen. Atsuko would forgive him taking this long, he was sure.

Did he just say Yue Cricket? Uncle asked, taking a step back as if the name were a physical blow. "As in Prince Yue Cricket?"

Yes. Takayoshi looked in Uncle’s direction but refused to meet his widened gaze, instead looking just over his shoulder. Crown Prince Cricket of Lunette.

Uncle stumbled back another step, then sat on the bench at the end of Takayoshi's bed, holding his chest. You won't be the king of Helio, but you're more than willing to⁠—

I did not say I was going to marry Cricket.

Shishi? Atsuko's smile had slipped, the expression no longer reaching her eyes, in its place was a pain that made her brows pinch together.

What do you mean you aren’t going to marry him? Uncle's gaze narrowed.

I mean that I am still very much cursed, and I will not subject him to the dangers that entails. Takayoshi lifted his chin, meeting Uncle head on. It would not be right for me to do so.

Ridiculous. This is ridiculous! Uncle rose from the bench and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him in his fury. Takayoshi resisted the urge to click his tongue at Uncle's dramatics.

Is he. . . Shishi, did you see. . .

Yes. He is. Takayoshi pinched the bridge of his nose where a headache had already begun to form, and clenched his jaw around words better left unsaid. Leave it to Atsuko to dive directly to the heart of the matter. His eyes are blue, Koko.

Then he's your soulmate, Atsuko breathed, her expression lighting up as every muscle in her body seemed to still, afraid to break the moment. Then she lunged at him, her arms wrapping tightly around his torso. Oh, I'm so happy for you! That's wonderful!

I intend to sever the connection, Takayoshi whispered into her hair.

Atsuko gasped, pulling back so she could meet Takayoshi's gaze. They had the same eyes, amber melted with sunshine and gold, or that is what he had been told they resembled. To him they were merely gray, as was much of the rest of the world, except Cricket. Only Atsuko's had always seemed warmer, somehow, to Takayoshi. Likely because she smiled more.

You're going to sever it? she asked, sadness clouding over her gaze.

I do not see where I have much choice. He has already been affected by my curse. I cannot. . . Takayoshi swallowed, ignoring the way it felt tight going down. I cannot subject him to what Mother and Father suffered through. Not when I am the one who bound him to me in the first place.

Have you spoken to him? Asked what he wants?

It would not matter.

Why not? Maybe he feels the same way about you. Atsuko frowned, her fingers tightening on his shoulders, leaving wrinkles behind on his tunic.

And how am I to know that is not part of the curse I cast? No. I will sever the connection. Takayoshi took his sister's hands in his own, giving them an affectionate squeeze, willing her to understand.

Shishi. . . what if he loves you back? Wouldn't it be better to⁠—

He does not. It would not. Takayoshi shook his head, dropping his sister's hands. I need written permission to browse the restricted section of the library. Uncle's appointed librarians are very strict about this, and I have searched all the other books available to me.

Atsuko shifted back, her hands falling to her sides. She looked like she wanted to argue, her face pinched in determination, but she pursed her lips instead, and said, All right.

Thank—

Don't. Thank me. Atsuko held up a hand, her lips twitching into a frown. Please, just think this over before you do anything rash. Perhaps there is another way to save him.

I will, Takayoshi agreed, even as he knew that he would not. He would not find another way to save Cricket, and he would do whatever possible to protect Cricket from the curse, from himself. It would be better if he severed the connection entirely, he knew that. Then Cricket could be free.

I just want you to be happy, Shishi. If the prince makes you happy, then you should be with him. She grasped his hands again, pleading. Just let yourself be selfish for once.

I will take it into consideration.

That's all that I ask.

The library was silent but for the soft turning of pages, and footsteps amongst the stacks. This was the kind of subtle white noise that Takayoshi had once preferred, although it felt strangely hollow these days. The people in the palace gave each other and himself space, but he had grown used to the constant chatter, and casual closeness of Cricket and Ignacia.

One would think that a couple of months in the company of such noise would be nothing in comparison to a lifetime of quiet. That there would be no way for it to change how he saw the world. One would be wrong. He found the quiet that surrounded him stifling now. Only made worse by the hush of snowfall that prevented him from training, and studying out of doors.

I heard the prince has horns, like some kind of demon, someone whispered amongst the shelves. Their voice pitched low, likely thinking they had found a private place to spread whatever trivial drivel they were talking about.

No. I heard he's got scales, their friend said with a little laugh. Like a fish, or a snake, or something.

"You don't really think they'll let him be king like that, do you?"

Who knows with the way Lunette's going. I mean. . . the duke has been exiled, there isn't anyone else.

Takayoshi grit his teeth so hard he felt his jaw creak with the pressure. How dare they spread rumors about Cricket. How dare they speak of him as if they knew⁠—

Hey. You two. This is a library. Be silent, or get out, another voice commanded, silencing the first two.

Sorry, Lady Dresden, they said as one. Takayoshi heard the rustling of clothing as they bowed their apologies, and gathered up his own books.

"Don't be sorry, be silent," Anstice hissed.

Takayoshi made a hasty retreat to the depths of the library with his research materials. He had managed to avoid Anstice thus far—likely because she was avoiding him in turn—and was in no hurry to confront her. Maybe he was a coward after all.

His withdrawal brought him within hearing range of another conversation, though this one thankfully seemed to have nothing at all to do with Cricket.

The history books are full of people who earned power by violence, and then had to use violence to keep it. It's just not sustainable, a young woman said.

Claudia! another voice chastised, but the voice sounded strangely tinny, like it was coming through a can. Are you thinking of seizing the throne?

What? No. That's not— Don't tease Honoria. Claudia grumbled. My point is⁠—

Yes. Yes. Violence begets violence. And the only true way to progress as a society is to learn from our prior mistakes through the study of history, Honoria said, sounding as if she had perhaps heard this same speech a hundred times over. Takayoshi, in spite of himself, found his feet heading in the direction of the two voices. Eavesdropping was unseemly, but he could not seem to help it. "But why couldn't you have stayed here to study history? Why did you have to go all the way to Helio?"

Claudia huffed, her chair creaking as she shifted her weight around. Because the history books here are only rivaled by— she stopped, her eyes catching on Takayoshi where he had just come around the corner of a shelf. My apologies, Your Highness, was I disturbing you?

The library is for studying, not for personal communications, Takayoshi recited one of Uncle's house rules automatically.

Yes, of course. I'm sorry. I'll talk to you later Honoria, I've got to get back to my books. Claudia waved one dark hand over the mirror tilted against a stack of texts, before returning to the pages in front of her.

May I join you? Takayoshi's gaze flicked to the vacant chair at her table.

Claudia blinked up at him for a moment, eyes wide, and then she laughed—a soft, nervous thing, wholly unlike Cricket's full bellied chortles—before gesturing to the seat across from her. It's your library.

It is the people of Helio's library, he said, but took the offered seat anyway.

Claudia's lips twitched, her brows rising. You're funny. Has anyone ever told you that before?

Yes. And that was all Takayoshi would say on the matter as he tidied his collection of books, and opened the one he had been reading to his marked page once more.

Claudia seemed to take that for what it was, and they fell into silence, only broken by the scratch of a pen or pencil on paper as they took notes.

Is this what having friends is like? Takayoshi had to wonder as Claudia set her most recent stack of research volumes onto their designated table. It had only been a week, and they had not done much more than greetings and farewells, but Takayoshi felt a certain kinship to the woman. Granted the only experience he had with friendship was his sister, and Cricket. But then Cricket was more than just his friend. Cricket was his— No. Now was not the time to think of that.

Good morning, Your Highness. You're up early. Claudia dropped unceremoniously into the chair across from him, her bag of study materials thumping against the floor.

Yoshi, he said on impulse.

I'm sorry? Claudia looked up from where she had been trying to put some order to the chaos that was her own unique filing system to frown at him. What was that?

Takayoshi sat up straighter, he did not wriggle in his seat that would have been undignified. We are friends. You may call me Yoshi.

We're friends?

We are, Takayoshi murmured, holding himself up straighter when all he wanted to do was duck his head and fiddle with his papers. He wished he had gotten some proper lessons in making friends from Cricket before they had parted ways.

Then you can call me Claudia! Claudia laughed, her smile widening.

I do call you Claudia. Takayoshi frowned.

Yes, but now you have permission. You didn't before. She winked at him, and then held her hand out in an oddly familiar gesture. Let's shake on it, yeah?

Yes. Takayoshi held his hand out to her, and resisted the urge to yank it back when she wrapped her fingers around his palm, and gave their joined hands one oddly jerky shake. Friends.

Friends. Claudia winked playfully, then dropped the hold, and turned back to organizing her papers. Like I was saying, you're up early.

I hoped to get more research done before the library became. . . Takayoshi pressed his lips together, searching for a polite way to say what he wanted to. When nothing else came to him, he simply said, noisy.

Noisy? You aren't talking about me, are you? Because if I'm bothering you, Your Highness, all you have to do is say so, and I'll go somewhere else. I don't want to disrupt your research on. . . I'm sorry, what was it you're researching?

Curse magic. Takayoshi placed a finger under the line he had been reading so he did not lose his place. And you are not the person who I find noisy.

Oh, well, that's good then. She offered him a hesitant smile, and then went back to work. It was silent as she laid out all of her supplies, then settled into her research.

Takayoshi relished the peace to be found in this. In having a companion that he could sit and research with. He imagined it would not have been this way with Cricket. The young prince seemed forever to be making noise. Even when he was thinking, he was muttering constantly to himself, and Takayoshi found himself missing it more and more these days, even for all he had told Claudia—and himself—he was trying to avoid noisy people.

No. I'm telling you; my sister saw him turn into a snake. Prince Cricket is definitely some kind of demon. And she says that he's got scales all over his⁠—

Takayoshi did not have time to stop and think, he rose from his chair, strode toward the voices, and stopped abruptly before the two people taking up valuable study space to gossip. Their words had died on their lips the moment they saw the prince coming.

Your Highness? the one who had been prepared to speak of all the places where Cricket's scales had grown, squeaked.

Gossip is rude. Libraries are silent. And spreading vicious rumors about the heir to a well-respected kingdom can be considered treasonous. Choose your next words carefully. Takayoshi was not sure when he had taken hold of the hilt of the sword at his waist, but he felt the grip digging into his palm.

We were just leaving, the one who had not been speaking said, grabbing their friend's wrist and tugging them from their chair. We apologize, Your Highness.

I am uninterested in empty apologies. If I catch either of you spreading lies about the prince again, I will personally escort you from the city. Have I made myself clear?

Yes, Your Highness, they said as one, bowing deeply before making a hasty retreat like thieves in the night.

Takayoshi inhaled deeply, loosened his grip on his sword, and forced himself to return to his table where Claudia was staring at him, unblinking.

You said your research is in curses?

Yes.

You weren't planning to curse those two idiots, were you? Her eyes flicked nervously, darting over his face as if looking for a tell. She would find none, but he would not lie to her either.

As satisfying as that might be, no, I do not intend to curse those two idiots. He felt his lips threaten to twitch at the word idiots. It was strangely gratifying to call someone a name, even if it were petty. He tried not to look too closely at that emotion.

Oh. Okay. Good. Claudia let out a whoosh of breath, seeming to deflate. You had me worried there.

No need. Takayoshi moved to take his seat again, and return to his research. He was just about to settle back into his work when Claudia cleared her throat awkwardly. Yes?

Do you— Umm— Do you maybe want to talk about what happened back there? You seemed pretty upset about what they were saying about the prince of Lunette. Is there like. . . a reason?

I do not wish to discuss that with you at this time.

Right. All right then. Claudia brushed a hand over her tightly curled hair, fluffing it a little. But if you did. . .

I could talk to you? He hazarded a guess. Takayoshi had never had anyone other than his sister offer to listen to his worries, and he found he was not quite sure how to respond. It was a kind gesture, but there was too much wrapped up in all that to share with Claudia. Even if she were his first friend.

Claudia nodded.

I will keep that in mind. He wondered if perhaps he should say something else. What would Atsuko say in this situation? What would Cricket? It is very much appreciated, he added after some thought.

That's what friends are for! Claudia offered him a wide smile, and they fell back into their research without another word.

It was a few days after when Claudia arrived late for their usual library hours, and slammed her bag onto the table. Takayoshi was certain he heard an ink well smash, but he was distracted from that by the look of sheer frustration carved into Claudia's face as she all but threw herself into her chair.

Takayoshi was very sure he was going to regret what would come out of his mouth next, but they were friends, and friends cared for one another's well-being. Or so he had been told. Still, he had built a life on not prying, and leaving what was not his business well enough alone, so the words stuck a little in the back of his throat before he managed to force them out.

Is something the matter?

Claudia released an exaggerated exhale through her nostrils that sounded remarkably like how Lily, his mare, sounded when he forgot her snacks.

Perhaps you would like to talk about it, with a— he paused, his jaw flexing as he worked over the words in his head, trying not to stutter over them, —with a friend.

Do you really care? Claudia tilted her chin down to her chest to narrow her eyes at him. Or are you just trying to be polite?

I would not have asked if I did not care, he said, which was mostly true. He would have asked just to be polite as well, but they were friends, and he did care, so he supposed it did not matter.

It's my sisters.

Are they unwell?

Claudia barked a laugh, shaking her head. Far from it.

Then what is the problem?

Not that you'd understand this, both you and the queen are. . . She gestured with her hand as if to point out the over all of himself and Atsuko.

Takayoshi was not sure he understood, but he folded his hands over the pages he had been reading to wait.

But my sisters are all perfect. Seven beautiful, strong, capable Durante weapons masters. And I'm just— I'm just— Well, I'm just me. Claudia.

You are not a weapons master?

I'm good. Don't get me wrong, I could probably put anyone in this city on their ass, Your Highness included, but I wouldn't call myself a master. Claudia’s fingers fiddled with the strap from her satchel, seemingly nervous under Takayosh’s attention.

Casually arrogant, is what Takayoshi would call that, but he did not say as much. Then why did you not become a weapons master, if that is what you wanted?

"Because it's not what I wanted." Claudi looked up quickly, her nose curling in disgust at the very insinuation.

Then it was what your family wanted?

Ugh! No. Claudia dropped her head to the table, hitting her forehead against it hard enough to make a soft smacking noise. Takayoshi winced. I wasn't ever told what I had to be. Our fathers were very clear on that, the Durante daughters would do whatever they damn well pleased.

Then I am afraid I am not understanding the problem. Takayoshi tilted his head to one side, his brows pinching together in an expression near frustration. If you did not want to be a weapons master, and your family did not try to force you to be one, I do not see where comparing you to your siblings would make any difference.

Our parents don't compare us. That's not it.

Takayoshi tilted his head a little to one side, his brows creasing in the middle. What was it then? He could certainly understand the rivalry between siblings. Although he and Atsuko had never had it, he had seen a number of other siblings who did. Especially in noble families where children were competing not just for affection but for titles. But that did not seem to be the case with the Durantes.

It's just. . . they don't— Claudia said, her voice muffled against the table as her hands waved in vague patterns above her head, "get me."

Get you? Takayoshi asked, blinking a few extra times to try to make sense of the phrasing. No. Still confusing.

It's not that I don't love them, don't get me wrong. They're all amazing. She sat up, pushing her round glasses up her nose where they had slid down. But they keep asking when I'm coming home. How much longer my project is going to take. Why I couldn't study history in Hermes.

Ah. Now, he understood. Probably far too well.

Ah? Claudia's brows pinched together, and she frowned. What does ah mean?

It means, I understand. Perfectly.

You umm– You do? But you're. . . all of this. Claudia's hand flapped through the air again, gesturing to the all of this that was Takayoshi. He was fairly certain he did not want to know what she meant by that.

Believe it or not my family and I do not always see eye to eye. I have done some. . . things throughout my life that they do not exactly understand nor approve of. More than some at this point, but who was counting?

Right. Claudia snorted. Like what?

Abdicating the throne, for one. The tantrum Uncle had thrown when Takayoshi had announced he was in love with the prince of Lunette was nothing compared to the one he had thrown when Takayoshi had abdicated the throne.

Oh. Yeah. I imagine the Duke didn't love that idea. He seems particularly— She stopped, pressing her lips together to keep from saying more. Likely for fear of offending him.

Traditional. Did not love the idea, was putting it lightly.

Yes, that's exactly what I was going to say.

Of course. Takayoshi felt the corners of his lips twitch into what might almost be a smile. What is your research topic?

Oh! Well, it's really just the history of how magic influenced the wars between the kingdoms through the ages. Because if you notice as our magic has kind of. . . mellowed out, so have we.

Mellowed out?

Yeah. Like back when the kingdoms were first— Hang on. Claudia twisted in her seat to grab the forgotten satchel, and pull it onto the table where she promptly dumped it, spilling its contents—as well as the leaking bottle of ink—all over the table. "Styx. How did that happen?"

Takayoshi pulled a cloth from his own bag to sop up the mess instead of reminding her how she had flung the bag at the table earlier.

Oh, thanks. She grinned at him, then went back to rooting through her papers as Takayoshi finished with the spilled ink, and righted the little bottle. All right, so see here? When the kingdoms were first created, they were constantly at war and in flux. Even though each kingdom had been created by a god. I think it's because the magic was so wild. Things settled down gradually as the magic did.

That is a reasonable hypothesis, Takayoshi said, tucking the cloth away again. But what will it change for the future?

Maybe nothing. Claudia pushed her glasses back up her nose, but in spite of her words there was no defeat in her tone, she sounded thrilled by the idea of not knowing. What a strange idea. But it'll be good information to have, won't it? If we know that wild magic has an effect on the wielder's temperament, then we can look for a solution should wild magic become an issue again.

I see. He did see. He saw how such a theory could change their whole understanding of the magic they used every day. How it could even change their relationship to the gods. That could be very beneficial.

Exactly! Claudia clapped her hands, and leaned back in her chair again. I'm going to go grab some books, you need anything?

No. Thank you.

Takayoshi squinted at the page Claudia had turned to show him. Wild magic. He had to wonder if this theory had anything to do with Cricket and his new powers. Had that been what he had called upon to bind them together all those years ago? If it were, could it be used to break his own curse. Or at the very least sever their connection? And would wild magic change Cricket's temperament, as Claudia hypothesized?

Two months. It had been two months. Takayoshi had spent countless hours reading everything the library of Helio had to offer, and had found nothing.

Nothing on how to break a curse cast by a god. Nothing on how to sever the magic that had tied him and Cricket together. In fact, he could not even find the book which he had used to cast that spell in the first place. It was as if it had never existed at all, or it had ceased to be twenty years ago.

Two months, wasted.

He shut the book in front of him, resisting the urge to lean forward and press his forehead to