The Never List

Kal is entertained by Rylee’s outfit. They ride a velomage, a contraption that functions like a magical motorcycle. Rylee adores the thrill of the high-speed ride during the hours-long trip to the Ruby Aire, Kal’s city. Rylee finds the city beautiful, but she dislikes the ostentatious show of wealth among the citizens, as her people in the Ashlands regularly go without food or clothing. She tells herself that it is premature to think about how she might affect positive change.

Rylee is startled by the Occuli following them, but Kal reassures her that the Occuli cannot touch or harm her. They enjoy lunch at a cafe while the Occuli reports their safe arrival to Jullian. Kal advises developing a public persona to manage the constant scrutiny. Rylee flirts, claiming she wants to meet the private version of him, too. Kal confides that his mother gave them the nickname “Legends of Chaos” as children after they broke her favorite tea set. Rylee is charmed to think of Kal as an unruly child and finds she likes him, despite her precarious circumstances. She admires that he encourages his subjects to improve their lives.

When she spills hot coffee on him, she absently sucks on his finger, like she would if she burned herself.