HOKU STOOD next to Aluna on the red carpet of the Oval Chamber and fidgeted. The Upgrader attack had been repelled, the dead had been counted, and the prisoners had been “taken care of,” according to Senator Niobe. But now President Iolanthe wanted to speak with them, and he didn’t know why.

Unless it was the incident in the hallway. Not the part with the Upgrader, but the part where he kissed the president’s daughter right on the lips in front of everyone.

His insides warmed at the thought. It was difficult to even remember the whole head-bashing aspect of the fight in light of the kiss. His first kiss. Calli had kissed him. He had kissed Calli. They had kissed. He was now a person who had kissed another person, and been kissed by them in return. He would never be the same as he was before. Kissing changed everything.

He looked over at Calli, his face hot. She sat on her throne and smiled and blushed and lowered her eyes. Hoku grinned back, and blushed some more, and lowered his eyes, too. Yes, yes. Kissing changed everything. He hoped to be kissing again very soon. And very often. He was highly in favor of kissing.

Beside him, Aluna crossed her arms in front of her chest and shifted her weight. He could practically hear her frustration. She’d had the chance to escape, and she hadn’t taken it. It had been her choice, and now she was beating herself up over it.

The senator by the entrance yelled, “All rise for Her Royal Highness, President Iolanthe!”

An odd thing to say, Hoku thought, since they were standing already. But he tried to straighten up anyway.

The president strode down the red carpet looking off balance with only one wing behind her. She nodded to Calliope and took her seat, unfurling her wing to match the metal wing built into the throne. He had no idea why they bothered with the pretense. Two wings, one wing, no wings — President Iolanthe scared the ink out of him.

“The Upgraders have been repelled with minimal losses to our people,” the president began. “A prisoner has been released with a message for Fathom: we will never bend. We will never break. Skyfeather’s Landing will never be his!”

The Aviars cheered and clanged their weapons against their armor. Hoku was surprised to find himself cheering right along with them. When the noise died, the president continued.

“We are especially pleased that the vice president came to no harm during the skirmish. For this, we have High Senator Electra, Senator Niobe, and our ocean cousins to thank.”

Hoku stood even taller. For once, he’d actually done something brave.

“The warriors Aluna and Hoku will approach the throne.”

Warrior! Him? He glanced at Aluna, and she gave him a quick grin. They walked forward and stopped a meter from the throne.

The president spoke to Aluna. “A few weeks ago, when you first stood before us in this hallowed chamber, I appointed you aide to the vice president. It was my intention that you would teach my daughter about bravery.” She looked at her daughter, then back at Aluna. “I did not expect that you would also teach her about honor.”

Hoku heard wings rustle behind him as the Aviars reacted to their president’s words.

“You had the opportunity to leave,” Iolanthe continued. “Calliope informed me of your plan — after the battle, of course. I’m not surprised. I would have schemed similarly in your place.”

And then the president smiled. The harsh lines of her face melted smooth, and Hoku saw, for one fragile moment, what she would have looked like had she been born a Kampii. Or a Human. Or anything except the ruler of a war-torn people.

The president reached for the clip at her waist and unhooked something. It looked like a pair of the talon weapons that Aluna had been training with for the last few weeks.

“Aluna of the City of Shifting Tides, I hereby grant you your freedom. You are henceforth to be considered an honored friend and ally of Skyfeather’s Landing, and you may call on us for assistance in times of need. We share the same sky.”

At the president’s last words, all of the other Aviars in the room echoed, “We share the same sky.” Their words rang in the vast chamber, and it seemed as if all the golden Aviars carved into the ceiling were speaking them, too.

Iolanthe held out her talons. “Spirit and Spite have been in my family for generations. Take them and use them well.”

Aluna glanced at Calliope.

The president waved a hand. “My daughter does not desire my talons, and my days as First Wing are long over.” She held out her hand until Aluna was forced to accept the gift. “They are yours.”

“I . . . thank you,” Aluna said.

Hoku had never seen her so surprised, or so humbled. For all her bravery, the Kampii back home had never treated her as anything more than a troublemaker. He felt ashamed of his people.

The president turned to him. “To you, Hoku of the City of Shifting Tides, we also grant freedom.”

Hoku swallowed. He’d been dreading this moment for so long. He tried to choose his words carefully.

“Does that also mean the freedom to return one day . . . and stay?”

He didn’t dare look at Aluna. He could picture her face, a mix of anger and astonishment. But he wanted this. He needed this. Even without Calli’s friendship, Skyfeather’s Landing offered him books and tech to study, and the opportunity to experiment that he’d never get underwater. If he was going to help the Kampii, it would be with his brain, not his spear arm.

President Iolanthe smiled gently, then shook her head. “No, child, you cannot live here.”

Hoku dropped his gaze to the floor and studied the dusty-red rug. He couldn’t bear to look in Calli’s direction. Or Aluna’s.

“Skyfeather’s Landing is open only to girls and women,” the president continued. “There are other Aviar strongholds that welcome men. We can arrange transportation to Talon’s Peak if —”

“No,” Hoku said, the word choking in his throat. “That’s okay. Never mind.”

“Child, look at me,” the president said.

Child, thought Hoku. No more warrior. Tides’ teeth, respectability had been short-lived. Still, he did as he was told.

President Iolanthe knew better than to smile, knew better than to show pity. She said simply, “You may not live here, child, but you may visit.”

“Visit?”

He looked at Calli, suddenly hopeful. She grinned back at him.

“Visiting would be, ah, good,” he said stiffly. “Very good.”

Calli smothered a laugh, but the president made no attempt to hide hers. “Now that you are free, where may we take you? High Senator Electra and Senator Niobe have volunteered to fly you wherever you desire. We don’t know where HydroTek is, but we do think it is located in a dome on the ocean’s surface somewhere to the south. Farther than we can travel safely from here.”

“Then take us to the SkyTek dome, please,” Aluna said. “That’s the only place I can think of that might have a clue for us to follow.”

“There is nothing but devastation and danger there now,” President Iolanthe said. “But I suspect that will not deter you?”

Aluna grinned. “How soon can we leave?”

He wanted to kick her. Why was she in such a rush? They’d been here for weeks. Would another few nights make any difference? He looked at Calli. However much time, it just wouldn’t be enough.

“Pack your things,” Iolanthe said. “Our sisters are ready to fly.”