The Drowned Gods, #2
Stranger Skies
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 53: Kai
Overview
After fielding Clover and Thames’s questions about Collapsing, Kai and Baz confront their feelings. Baz reveals a sketchbook of Kai, dispelling Kai’s doubts, and they share another kiss, agreeing to lower their defenses with each other.
Kai later sleeps peacefully, noting Emory’s absence from the sleepscape.
Summary
In the library, Clover and Thames question Kai and Baz about Collapsing, hungry for details about silver blood, the Unhallowed Seal, and how the Selenic Order once exploited Collapsers. Throughout, Kai is distracted by the memory of Baz kissing him and by doubts about Baz’s feelings.
Back at the Eclipse commons, Kai tries to shut down conversation, fearing regret. Baz pushes back and, instead of withdrawing, hands Kai a sketchbook filled with drawings of Kai—proof of long-standing affection. Convinced, Kai closes the distance and kisses Baz, making clear he does not regret it.
Flustered but emboldened, Baz asks where this leaves them. Kai deflects, then admits he has noticed Baz from the start. Baz urges Kai to drop his armor, promising safety with him; Kai agrees, acknowledging he never truly wanted to hide from Baz.
Later, while Baz studies, Kai drifts to sleep. In the sleepscape, he lightly checks for familiar presences—Clover, Luce, and always Baz—though Emory is absent and Thames is unreachable. Kai then falls into a rare, dreamless rest, momentarily freed from nightmares.
Who Appears
- KaiNarrator; wrestles with doubt after an earlier kiss, then confirms mutual feelings with Baz and finally sleeps peacefully.
- Baz (Basil Brysden)Shows a sketchbook of Kai that proves his affection; kisses Kai again and urges him to drop his armor.
- CloverAsks detailed questions about Collapsing and its implications, prompting reflection.
- ThamesJoins Clover in probing Collapsing; later not found in the sleepscape.