13: The Honor of Your Presence

Several days after training, Aurora stargazes and speaks with Ina about the northern lights and love. Ina brings a letter from Elsie, who praises the lavish wedding invitation, worries for Aurora, and asks to visit. Realizing invitations were sent without her knowledge, Aurora rushes inside in anger.

Aurora confronts the Starmaker in his chambers, finding him fresh from a bath. She demands an explanation for the invitations. He replies that Ina managed preparations so Aurora could focus on learning and notes the wedding is four days away. When Aurora presses about recipients, he states everyone in Reverie was invited.

Reeling, Aurora laments that Farren learned of the wedding by invitation, not from her. The Starmaker criticizes her silence as cowardice and claims his compassion lies with Farren. Their argument exposes Aurora’s regret over the handwritten invitations she and Farren once prepared together.

Constance the rabbit topples a side table, shattering a teapot. While helping to clean, Aurora cuts her palm and grows faint at the sight of blood. The Starmaker steadies her, arranges pillows, and tends her wound with water, salve, and bandages, working with patience despite their quarrel.

As he treats her, they trade barbed but honest words, distinguishing cowardice from being a coward. The tension shifts into recognition that they “challenge each other,” hinting at respect and attraction beneath their conflict. Aurora thanks him and leaves after warning she never backs down from a challenge, catching what might be his faint smile.