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.The stale air held the faint notes of an exoticperfume.Just as Damir had begun to make sense of the few facts Balin had given him, he foundhimself thrown out into the wild once more.He stood frozen in front of Balin, mouth open, his heartlodged in his throat somewhere with his uvula.Damir snapped his mouth closed and took a slow step back. How many more secrets are there? None, Balin assured.They had just begun to find their standing again, and then Balin decided to pitch him over anothercliff. What does that make you? A prince? A king? Damir shook his head. What do you want me tosay, Balin? Can I even trust you? I was removed from the family when I chose this path.There s nothing to say.I wanted you toknow before we saw Emperor Folken.I didn t want you to be blindsided by this. Damir studied Balin, took in the slope of his nose and the indifferent glare of his amber eyes.There was fear lurking behind his golden orbs.Damir tried to hold on to the tendrils of betrayal andanger he felt, but they slid through his fingers like smoke.He closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. Okay, fine.What does that mean for us? Will hesee us, then? When Balin didn t respond immediately, Damir cracked his eyes open and glared up at him. Balin? I hope so.The last time I left here, it wasn t on good terms. Damir raised a brow.Balin lookedaway. The job I was heading to, the one before I met you? Yes? My brother sent me on it.I was going to be given immunity if I assassinated King Vasilis. What? Dear Lar! Why haven t you ever told me this? You said there were no more secrets! Damir couldn t keep his voice from rising.The smoke of anger solidified once more inside him. It wasn t another lie! Balin shouted.He sucked in a sharp breath and said in a move even tone, Damn it, I have not lied once.I kept those things from you because it was a life I was trying tofucking leave behind.If I had known things would go to shit, I would have given you a heads-up. Damir recoiled.Balin s frustration, his anger radiated from his body like heat waves.A knock atthe door snapped them from their death lock.The door slid open, and Israel stepped inside. Are you two coming& Is everything all right? Damir jerked his gaze away and said in a rushed whisper, Yes, everything is fine.We releaving. He stepped past Israel and walked to the elevators without a backward glance.As the doors wereabout to close, Balin caught them and pushed them open. So now you re going to be pissed at meagain? Well, I don t know; are you going to continue to withhold pivotal information from me? It maynot be lying, Balin, but you might as well be, Damir snapped. Let s just get through this. BALIN STEPPED INTO the elevator.He clenched his jaw but remained silent, his eyes trainedon a corner of the cramped compartment.Israel entered as well.The elevator rose up and carried themto the second level.Zephyr waited for them at the hangar.Balin clapped his hand on the pirate captain s shoulder. Itwas good to see you again.Thank you for everything. I wish it had been on better terms; I truly do. Zephyr grasped Balin s hand firmly.Ramiroshook hands with Balin as Israel joined them, standing between the two men silently. Good luck, Israel called out to them, his arm raised high as he waved.The stifling heat was the first thing Balin noticed as he stepped off the bridge.The dry aircirculated around the air stadium and settled over his skin like a great coat.The temperature dredgedup memories that he would rather have left buried.Damir unwound his scarf and stuffed it into his bag.He pulled up his hood, casting shadows overhis face. You ll be hot with your hood up.This isn t like Canaan, Balin warned. Do I have much choice? Damir asked with a grumble. I can t risk being noticed. Balin shrugged, deciding not to point out that all of Damir s layers of clothes were enough to gethim noticed. Come on, Balin said and gestured down the plank.They moved into the bustling crowd andelbowed their way through the stadium.It was like transcending a new world.Damir stood out like aghost among the sun-kissed natives of Eyrie.Bare-chested men passed them, and Balin becameincreasingly aware of how overdressed Damir was. We ll take a rickshaw to the palace, Balin said as they walked into the city.The glaring sunblinded him.His lungs filled with the familiar scent of spices that floated on the stale winds.Hehailed a passing rickshaw and gestured for Damir to climb on.He suspected Damir could use a breakfrom the sweltering heat and wasn t adverse to some rest himself. Is it always this hot? Damir asked as he waved his hand in front of his face like a fan.Bain took his seat. Yes, sometimes worse. To the driver he said, The palace. Without a word the man picked up the heavy rickshaw and began to pull.The muscles in his armsbunched and glistened with beads of sweat.The breeze cooled mercifully as they wove through thelabyrinth of streets, making their way up to the palace.Balin watched with a private smile as Damirlooked at the buildings, which grew taller and more elegant, with their cupolas and gleaming gildedroofs, the closer they got to the royal home
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