I leaned against the sun-warmed stone of the crenellations. The afternoon sun bathed everything in golden light - the city with its neat rows of houses, the countryside beyond with its patchwork of fields, and far off, the rising wall of the mountains. So peaceful, so perfect.

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out the photographs I'd brought with me, spreading them out against the flat top of the merlon. Gaunt faces stared back at me - hollow eyes in sunken faces, lines for bread that stretched around corners, soldiers in a gunline facing against crowds.

  It couldn't be real. The capital city looked so tranquil from up there, its streets clean and orderly, the distant figures of people going about their business. If I squinted, I could even see the market square, bright with colorful tents.

  Where were these pictures taken? Could they be from some other kingdom entirely? A cruel prank or foreign plot?

  The sound of footsteps on the stairs made me jump. I hastily gathered the photos, shoving them behind my back as I turned.

  Ariella stood in the doorway. She wore a dress the color of autumn leaves, and her smile was as warm as the afternoon sun.

  "I thought I'd find you here." she said, crossing to join me at the edge of the tower. "You always come up here when you're troubled."

  I shifted, trying to keep the photos pressed between my back and the stone wall.

  "Just... thinking." I said.

  Ariella sighed, looking out over the view. "I know you're disappointed about the provincial tour. I was looking forward to showing you Solstice Bay. The way the sun hits the white buildings at sunset... it makes the whole city glow like it's on fire."

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  One of the photos was slipping from my grasp, and I pressed harder against the wall, trying to secure it.

  "What's wrong, Liv? You've been acting strange for days now."

  "Have I?" My voice came out too high.

  "Yes." She stepped closer. "You're fidgeting like a child hiding sweets. What's behind your back?"

  Panic surged through me. I needed an excuse, a distraction, anything. My mind raced and grasped on the overheard conversation from the masquerade ball.

  "I've been... worried." I blurted out. "I overheard your father that night at the ball. He spoke of... of your 'efforts' with me. As if our relationship were some kind of assignment. And... it has me questioning things."

  Ariella's eyebrows rose in surprise, then her face softened. "Is that all? Oh, Liv." she said, moving closer. "My father has his plans, yes. House Winters has always had ambitions. But how long have we known each other? How many years have we spent in the gardens and ballrooms? I think you would have noticed by now if I was pretending."

  She reached up, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. Her fingers lingered on my cheek.

  "My father's motives and my own happen to align." she said softly. "That doesn't make my feelings any less genuine."

  Her eyes, those beautiful azure eyes, held mine. "You are and always will be my general." She leaned in and kissed me.

  Ariella pressed closer, gently backing me against the merlons. Her hand slid down my side to my hip, then walked her fingers across to the inner side of my thigh.

  The warmth of her touch sent tremors through me. I wanted it. Parents did I want it, but my hands remained frozen behind my back, clutching the damning photos. Her hand moved higher, and I felt the corner of one photo begin to tear under my grip. The sensation sent a jolt of panic through me. If she found them, if she told her father...

  I jerked away suddenly, pushing Ariella back with more force than I intended. "No-! We can't - it would be... improper."

  Ariella looked around the empty tower. "I assure you no one will come up here. Would you like me to lock the door?" Her eyes shifted yellow with seal mana.

  "I'm sorry." I said, my voice shaking. "I just - I can't right now."

  Ariella took a step back, giving me space. "I understand. I've pushed too hard. What I feel is real, Liv. I'll wait however long it takes for you to feel comfortable. There's no rush."

  "I... I..." My heart pounded so hard I could barely breathe as I sidled toward the door.

  She just stood back and let me leave.