"You don't think your brother's normal?"
"My brother is anything but normal." Alister laughed. "Don't get me wrong, little hawk. He's not insane. But it isn't normal for an exalted to cut his hair and take off his mask and move down to Tertius to live with the plebs." He sobered. "Cris has a bad temper. It's better for all of us that he went to live someplace where he can surround himself with machines instead of people.
"Why — why did he leave?"
Alister shook his head.
"I wish I knew. I think every exalted has daydreamed about throwing away the mask at one time or another. Caste restrictions can become tiresome. I'd love to go flying on a pair of metal wings without worrying that my bare skin might be seen by a stranger. Maybe you'll take me, someday? But Cristof's the only exalted I know who has ever acted upon the dream. Lady, the uproar he caused! I couldn't believe it, the day he cut off his hair — he hacked it short with a pair of scissors, all by himself. It was horrible."
Taya tried to put herself in Alister's place, to feel his shock, but there wasn't anything comparable in icarus life. Icarii were free to wear whatever they wanted, to style their hair any way they wanted, to do whatever they wanted — as long as they carried out their duties. The central caste restriction on an icarus was to serve the city and its residents with loyalty and responsibility. Even if an icarus couldn't fly, for some reason, there was almost always a groundling job available in the eyries or docks, sorting mail or repairing armatures.
"My brother set up a small shop down in Tertius, buried in a basement where nobody can find it. I don't know why he hides himself down there — maybe he's ashamed of himself, after all. He could have made himself a celebrity. I would have, if had been in his place. I would have traded on my castemark and the scandal and made myself the darling of the gossip columns and fashionable salons. But Cristof keeps to himself, and most of the city doesn't even know that one of our caste has defected."
"I think I feel sorry for him," Taya said, at last. "It's awful, never fitting in."
"You have a kind heart." Alister's voice gentled. "Especially considering how he scolded you. He wasn't very polite to a weary icarus who had just saved his cousin's life."
"He wasn't so bad, later. I mean, he's not nice," Taya elaborated, "but I think he's well-mannered, behind that sharp tongue of his."
"I should hope he is. When did you meet him again?"
Taya related the story of the attack the night before, but she didn't tell him that she'd returned to the clockwright's shop that afternoon to accuse Cristof of being a bomber. Alister's brother had enough problems without her casting any undue suspicion on him.
"I'm surprised he helped you," Alister said, when she was through. He sounded puzzled. "Cris is such a gearhead… it's hard to imagine that he'd have the stomach to shoot a mugger. And where did he ever get an air pistol? But I suppose he's had to grow bolder, living on Tertius."
"It can be a dangerous place," Taya agreed.
"And you should be more careful when you go down there, too." Alister leaned forward to touch the back of her hand, looking at the scabs across her knuckles. "I'll add my voice to his in insisting the lictate investigate the mugging. Lately, they've been more concerned with hunting down terrorists like the Torn Cards, but attacking an icarus is a serious crime, too. And who knows; the two crimes could be linked. The king of Alzana has a number of spies funneling money to Ondinium's radical elements, hoping to unbalance the Council. He'd love to possess one of our armatures."
"Your brother doesn't trust Alzana, either." Taya realized Alister's fingers were still resting on the back of her hand.
Lady, he really is flirting with me
, she thought, torn between pleasure and panic.
"We both lost a dear friend to Alzana's conflict with Ondinium." Alister sighed. "But let's not talk about unpleasant matters. Tell me about your family."
Taya allowed him to change the subject, and their conversation wove back and forth as they ate, touching on families and friends, favorite foods and books. A loud knock on the door startled them both.
"The coach is here, exalted," the servant announced, without opening the door.
Alister slipped a watch from a hidden pocket inside his sleeve and opened it.
"Forgefire, I should have told him to come back in three hours," he muttered. He raised his voice. "Buy him a drink and tell him Taya will be out in a few minutes."
"Yes, exalted."
"I'm sorry," Alister apologized. "We haven't even had an after-dinner drink yet."
"That's all right. I have to fly early tomorrow." Taya eyed his watch. "Did your brother make that?"
Alister unhooked the chain and handed it to her. "He did."
The decatur's watch was gold, too, but the case had been engraved with a fancy sun-and-moon pattern, with an inlay of white and red metal. Taya opened it the way Cristof had shown her. The watch face was a shiny black surface filigreed in silver and gold, showing a repetition of the celestial pattern. Tiny diamonds marked the hours and looked like twinkling stars.
The vibration felt the same as Cristof's watch; like the steady beat of a tiny heart.
"Did you choose the design?" Taya asked, looking up.
"More or less. Cris said he'd make me a watch as a graduation present and asked what I wanted. I told him I'd like a sun on it, but he's the one who designed the pattern for the jeweler. That's platinum and red gold, and the face is an ondium and iron alloy. I didn't ask how he got his hands on ondium. Through the black market, I expect. He said it's perfectly counterweighted — if I ever took out the face and let it go, it would float without moving."
"It's beautiful."
"I'm sure it cost him a fortune, but since he barely touches his inheritance, I imagine our accountants didn't complain too much."
"He must love you a lot, to make you a present like this." Taya handed it back.
"Well, we're brothers." Alister tucked it into his sleeve, looking thoughtful. "Will you forgive me if I don't escort you to the door? I'd have to put on my overrobe and mask, and I wouldn't even be able to say good-bye."
"Of course. I understand." She bowed, pressing her palm against her forehead. "Thank you for dinner and the pleasant conversation, exalted. You've been very kind."
He grabbed her hand as she straightened and brought it to his lips, smiling as he kissed her fingers. Taya squirmed a little, meeting his eyes and melting at the humor and warmth she saw in their green depths.
"Nor could I do that in a mask and robes," he said, squeezing her hand.
"You're going to make it very awkward for us to meet again in Oporphyr Tower," she said, her heart pounding.
"I know how to admire from afar. I just don't enjoy it." He released her with a show of reluctance. "I intend to see you again. Before my cousin's party, if I can possibly clear my calendar."
"I'd like that." She stepped back. "Good night, exalted."
"Alister."
"Alister."
He called in his servant, who escorted Taya through the antechamber and out to the front door. Gregor was waiting outside, finishing an ale. He handed it back to the servant when he saw Taya.
"Eat well, then?" he asked, opening the coach door. Taya looked inside and sighed.
"Too well. I don't think I can stand being jolted around inside that stuffy box again, Gregor. Can I ride on top with you?"
"The exalted would have my head if he found out, he would."
"Don't be silly." Taya examined the side of the coach, gauging how to climb up. "Please? I ride on top or I walk."