✵ SWEETER THAN HONEY ― nikolai lantsov ✵

Yi

On the eastern and western wings of the palace, either dish has been planted, the smooth metal surfaces gleaming in the sunlight. To set them up, a Squaller is paired with a Fabrikator, so of course I stuck with Zoya to set up the eastern dish.

As we adjust the angle of the huge metal disk to face the correct direction, I adjust my goggles meant to protect my eyes against the glare of the light.

Once we finish, I brush myself off and scan the faces on the center roof of the palace. I take a moment to pat myself on the back for not immediately seeking out Nikolai.

David is upon the Volkvolny with a powerful whistle to signal to Alina.

A shrill note sounds, signalling for everyone to take a few steps back. Another sharp whistle and Alina summons the light, gleaming and glittering, tenfold stronger beneath Ravka's summer sun.

The light bounces off the dishes, turning into two blazing, bright white shafts that stay suspended in the air. They slice towards each other and the two beams become one fiery blade that washes over the treetops of the forest, giving them a trim that levels them all out. A collective gasp sounds from the crowd.

The dishes tilt slightly and the sharp beam of heat redirects towards the lake, steam and heat waves rising from the clear water.

David whistles a quick, panicked note, and Alina drops her arms, letting the light shatter and vanish like a thousand starbursts containing fairydust and pure magic.

Everyone stays silent, awe blanketing all of us.

"It worked," David says, out of breath.

Then Zoya and I burst out laughing together, followed by Sergei, Marie, and Nadia. Everyone begins to laugh and cheer, even Tolya. Everyone begins hugging each other and scrambling to get down from the roof to see the scorching marks in the grass and lake left behind by the demonstration.

Zoya lets out a long, happy sigh as she pulls the goggles from her head, tossing them away. "Looks like our Sun Summoner isn't entirely defenseless," she muses with a slight smile.

"I should hope not," I reply, but my gaze stays on Nikolai as he walks with the rest of the crowd.

Zoya studies me for a moment. "Saints, you could make it a bit less obvious."

I glance at her, startling slightly. "What are you talking about?"

She gives me an unimpressed look and states briefly, "Nikolai." I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out. She sighs. "Don't act like you don't know, Yi. You've been ogling at him since we got here."

I release a miserable groan. "Is it that obvious?"

"What happened? I'm quite sure that only a few weeks ago, you two were tumbling like two fawns," Zoya remarks, raising her perfect eyebrows.

My face flushes but I'm far from amused. I look out at the horizon. "It was actually two months ago. And things just got too complicated," I murmur. "Let's get down from here."

Zoya purses her lips. "I hate seeing you so miserable."

"I'm not miserable," I respond quickly.

"Aren't you? You've been burying yourself in tasks, and it doesn't quite take a genius to know you're trying to distract yourself," she states, then ticks off her fingers. "Training the Fabrikators, working with David until midnight, sparring with the Grisha like there's no saintsforsaken tomorrow."

"I'm fine, Zoya," I wave off, a pure lie.

"I won't act as though I know what happened, but your little prince certainly enjoys watching you wistfully. I can't stand it. You must go speak with him so that none of us have to suffer through your sad-eyed awe," Zoya deadpans as we make our way down the staircases to get off the roof of the eastern wing.