Wings of Starlight

by Allison Saft

“I have to confess,” she said, “that I lied. Everything is not all right.” “Oh,” he said, in a tone that suggested he did not know whether he ought to feign surprise. “Can I ask what troubles you?” She couldn’t decide if she should laugh or weep. How could she possibly answer that question? Now that they’d done what they set out to do, they had no reason to see each other anymore. “I’m going to miss you.” “Is that all?” he asked. “You can come back tomorrow.” “I can’t.” Frustration and longing both bubbled up within her. If only it were that simple. “My coronation is in just over a week, Milori. Our duties as rulers will keep us apart from one another.” Her words landed like a sucker punch, sending him reeling. Milori shook his head, just barely. She could see he wanted to argue, but he only said, “I see.” “I like you,” she continued breathlessly. “Far, far too much.” “Then I don’t understand why—” “It scares me.” How much I want you. How painful it would be to lose you. “I meant what I said. I don’t regret a thing. I am glad it happened, but it cannot happen again. Going forward, we should maintain a formal distance between us. Before it becomes too painful.” As the seconds ticked by, the stricken look on his face softened gradually. He took a wary step closer to her, as if he were afraid of chasing her away. With his voice pitched low, he said, “I do not think I’ve been subtle about it, but I feel I should tell you that I like you, too.”