《Winter's Verse - Copper & Snow and Polar Axis》


 Copper & Snow 1.1 Winters Mettle

    Copper & Snow


    Winter¡¯s Verse Part I


    Nicole Hayes


    To those of us without a sense for appropriate timing.


    ONE


    Winter''s Mettle


    Drip.


    Drip.


    Someone really ought to check the pipes in Lexia Tempest¡¯s office. How was a girl supposed to take a nap with all this dripping about?


    The crop master¡¯s daughter withdrew her long legs off her desk and righted her chair out of her dozing position. The stacks of papers waiting for Lexia¡¯s gilded seal stood like tall towers, piled hundreds deep, in silent judgment. In fact, during this Founding Season, there wasn¡¯t a sound in the entire building aside from¡­


    Drip.


    With a sigh, Lexia eyed the culprit. In a room with a dozen copper pipes pumping steam for heat, it should prove difficult to single out the leaky one, but she¡¯d found it yesterday. Upper right corner of the rose-glass room, closest to her desk. A small elbow dripped onto a steam main.


    Lexia had just paid for the last copper re-pipe¡­ What? Three months ago?


    Well.


    Her father had paid for it, and she was sure Gauge Snow had loved that. Although, to be fair, she knew little about the twenty-nine-year-old bachelor since Lexia¡¯s father refused to let her set foot in a room with him, let alone reintroduce her to the man. They hadn¡¯t seen each other since they were children.


    No, instead, Lexia heard all about Snow¡¯s arrogance and avarice from her father and Axis. But facing off with this leak in her office, Lexia had a few of her own choice words for the Count of Copper.


    Her black leather pants creaked softly as she stood and crossed the room to the exterior wall made of rose-colored glass. Through the fog, Lexia glared at the impractical Cathedral built entirely of the precious metal on a hill in the town¡¯s center. Train cars on iron tracks helixed through the humid clouds surrounding the steam empire¡¯s most recognizable monument. Once through the Copper Cathedral¡¯s security, they¡¯d arrive at the mine depot where their labor made up a third of the planet¡¯s occupations. Winter¡¯s occupations.


    Another third worked the plantations, scattered across the planet, growing food and fibers to supply the world with nourishment and textiles. This was Leon Tempest¡¯s domain, and, as his daughter and inheritor, it was Lexia¡¯s future.


    Factories employed the final third under Axis¡¯ father, Valve Flicker. Within the stacks of machinery, laborers took those materials from the plantations and processed them into goods for consumption. All to keep shelter over their heads and food on the table.


    Everyone was beholden to the mighty triumvirate: copper, cotton, and construction.


    Even Lexia, who worked on her own merit and not her father¡¯s reputation. Proof positive seeing as she was the only one in the office today. She glanced at the brass clock on the wall with its fancy scroll. It said one hour until closing. When Lexia blew the air from her cheeks, it fluffed her bangs as she considered how badly she wanted out of this pinstripe corset. But she wore it for a reason.


    That reason was six inches taller than Lexia with soft green eyes and short burgundy hair and enough steam coming off his honed body to power all of Winter. Dinner with Axis in an hour. A night with him was the only way to kick off Founding Season with a bang, assuming she could keep his mind off work.


    The People¡¯s Prince never stopped advocating for laborer¡¯s rights, even when facing his father¡ª


    No.


    Lexia didn¡¯t want her thoughts to go there this afternoon. Tonight was about the young couple and not the struggles they¡¯d inherited in their respective industries. With two easy strides, she returned to her desk and retrieved a compact from the top drawer.


    Waves of white hair cascaded down Lexia¡¯s shoulders. Soft gray eyeshadow emphasized the depth of her black eyes. Was burgundy lipstick the right choice or was it too on the nose? She swept her bangs a little to the side and re-powdered to cover her pale blue freckles, dusted across her temples. Against her white skin, they often drew too much attention. They reminded the public of her mother, and Lexia was her own woman, now twenty-three years old and ready to take on the empire.


    Fifty-five minutes left, and she could leave for the most important date of her life. Axis would ask tonight. Lexia was certain. She looked down at her breasts and straightened the blouse beneath her corset to better distract her suitor before spritzing more perfume across her pulse points.


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    Axis loved the smell of summer rain.


    Surely the primping ate up another thirty minutes. Lexia glanced at the clock and frowned. Only one minute had passed.


    With a sigh, she poured herself back into her chair and lit her ink pad. The flame ignited, and Lexia took the first page off the pile of work. It was a report of unionizing activity among the orchard employees. One of their lifers, a man named Kol, had provided the findings. The document included a request for more resources. This would prevent an uprising asking for outlandish demands.


    Lexia held her hand over the flame and let it kiss the golden gear strapped to her palm. Once hot enough, she sealed the report with her signature and moved onto the next.


    Sometimes the only way to move a work day along was to get some actual work done.


    The steam whistle sounded the end of the work week, and it wouldn¡¯t sound again until after Founding Day. Lexia made it through the last stack of paper and felt better about her time spent. She left her office as tidy as possible, then rushed on her four-inch stiletto thigh-high boots onto the thoroughfare.


    There were two major arteries to the city: Tempest Boulevard and Flicker Avenue. Both spread out diagonally from Snow Plaza, forming a triangle in the heart of the city. Most people traveled by streetcar or train. The trains went overhead, roller-coasting on steam-powered tracks. Her family could afford the luxury of personal cars with drivers, but Lexia wanted to take the city¡¯s pulse tonight. So she walked through the twilight under lamps fueled by Flicker wicks: a hybrid of Tempest fuses and Flicker engineered filaments.


    To Lexia¡¯s delight, the Founding Parade had already started down the boulevard. She loved the dancers in their bright costumes, and the bands with their brass instruments and drums. But her least favorite part were the floats.


    Each one represented a different stage of Winter¡¯s establishment ten years ago now. The first float, which she¡¯d missed, was bright enough to still see on its way. It represented the electromagnetic pulse on a world powered by electronics.


    Lexia had gone outside in time to glimpse the worst float, and it made her frown.


    A life-sized replica of a younger Gauge Snow warned the planet¡¯s congresses of the phenomenon. It was backed by the Copper Cathedral, half-constructed in those earlier times. The replica was just after he¡¯d bought all the copper mines in the Ignis Crater to prepare for what would come next.


    His prescience had always bothered Lexia.


    The third float represented the fall of civilization as pre-Winter knew it. The old name for the planet was illegal to speak, and Lexia hadn¡¯t heard it since she was a girl in braids.


    The fourth float boasted another life-size statue of Snow, but this one was made from solid copper. It depicted his rise to reestablish order out of chaos, and he¡¯d gladly donated the copper for it. While fawning at the statue¡¯s feet, the young women on the float wore low-cut blouses and bloomers over fishnets.


    A chill made Lexia shiver in her ankle-length duster, and she pressed on while trying to enjoy the music on her walk. Further down the cobbled street, she noticed a wall of people blocking the sidewalk. A thrill replaced the chill.


    Lexia touched her hand to the steam cannon holstered on her hip beneath the coat as she made her way through the crowd. Some recognized her and lowered their heads in deference, stepping out of the way. This was typical in a throng this size, but she was still polite enough to say, ¡°Excuse me. Pardon me,¡± as she forced her way to the front.


    There.


    As Lexia had suspected, two men were pressing their backs to one another. Both of them had rapiers! A sword duel was less common these days, and she couldn¡¯t wait to see how this one played out. Once they¡¯d reached the ten paces, another man who refereed for them whistled for the duel to start.


    The man on the left, with green hair and brown eyes, turned first and brandished his weapon at his opponent.


    The second fighter, with blond hair and purple eyes, backflipped away on one hand, dazzling their audience.


    Lexia already knew who would win the fight just by their stances, but it was exciting to watch them trade blows. Sparks flew when their swords clashed; the blond man bore down on his opponent with more strength and skill.


    The green-haired man, desperate not to lose, reached into his boot and withdrew a dagger. He thrusted it into the blond man¡¯s gut.


    A dirty move, and the crowd booed. Lexia included.


    The blond man with more skill whirled away and swiped the green-haired man¡¯s wrist, cutting into the veins. He dropped the cheating dagger with a wounded cry. He couldn¡¯t resist the instinct to clutch his injured wrist to his chest, and the blond man sought his opening.


    After one deft thrust into the green-haired man¡¯s heart, Winter was short another citizen tonight.


    Lexia had witnessed a hundred duels in her lifetime. ¡®Dispute resolutions¡¯ were their legal names. It was not only illegal to kill outside of a duel, but pre-meditated, cold-blooded murder would see you cast in copper and hung on the Wall of Pain.


    Which just so happened to be the front door to Gauge Snow¡¯s Cathedral.


    Lexia fought another shiver and moved on through the crowd. She tried her best to ignore the body being lifted by the undertaker. She wasn¡¯t cold-hearted; this was simply how things were done on Winter.


    Maybe two steps later, Lexia stopped and sighed. Without turning around, she said, ¡°It seems silly for you to hide behind me when I can distinguish your steps in a crowd.¡± When she turned, she wasn¡¯t surprised to find her unwanted bodyguard looking disgruntled under the lamplight.


    Rhyme never looked happy. His arched brows reminded Lexia of a hawk, and they were furrowed to deepen the frown on his thin lips. His arms were folded across his chest¡ªtoo broad for her liking. His prosthetic leg with its copper casting and its steam tank jutted out from his hip with entirely too much sass for an employee. Her father¡¯s employee.


    Rhyme rubbed the stubble on his chin while he contemplated, ¡°What would Dr. Tempest think of you rushing over to witness a duel, endangering yourself?¡±


    Lexia turned around and kept walking, gesturing her nonchalance as she said, ¡°He¡¯d probably thank the bodyguard before you who taught me everything I know in self-defense and dueling etiquette. They were using swords, Rhyme. Not projectiles. I was fine.¡±


    As Rhyme followed, his prosthetic made a distinctly empty footstep compared to his boot. He humphed in that gravelly voice of his with his rugged features and his braided hair. He was handsome, but no one could compare to Axis. Not to mention, Rhyme was about ten years older than Lexia, and she never really fancied older men.


    Rhyme asked, ¡°Why don¡¯t you ever submit your schedule so we can plan your security better?¡±


    Lexia laughed, letting that question answer itself. She didn¡¯t have to answer to him, anyway. There was a good chance even her father didn¡¯t know about her plans tonight.


    Ah.


    Lexia couldn¡¯t have timed her arrival at the restaurant better herself. She turned to ask Rhyme, ¡°Can you please be discrete tonight? I don¡¯t want Axis nervous.¡±


    Rhyme looked at the narrow Victorian cottage with its turrets and wrought-iron fencing. It was a secret shared between the couple¡ªa place they liked to go and pretend they were normal without all the glitz and glamor of balls and galas. No pressure. The perfect place for Axis to ask her to¡ª


    ¡°I don¡¯t think my shoulders can fit through the door, little Heiress.¡± Rhyme smirked.


    Lexia rolled her eyes and went inside, ready for the most important engagement of her life.

 Copper & Snow 1.2 Winters Mettle

    Axis checked his lapels, sleeves, and waistcoat for the thirtieth time. It was a more respectable use of his nervous energy than allowing his knee to bounce. He was a private man, and public displays of affection were more advertisement about his personal life than he¡¯d liked to air.


    However.


    When Lexia arrived, her beautiful smile over this crystal dining set would be well worth the anxiety, and there was no better venue than this restaurant to ask for her betrothal. Here, in this quaint setting where they¡¯d had their first date. So, so long ago now. He could almost recall similar nerves then as he sat in the private alcove waiting for her to arrive, she all of sixteen and he only seventeen. They were fortunate their fathers even allowed them to leave their homes at the time, let alone go on a date in a public setting.


    How could Axis forget his surprise when she arrived in a dress? His Lexia. In a dress. It had been a magical evening for the two childhood friends to progress into something much more.


    Now here they were again. Same restaurant; eight years later. Only this time, Axis knew better than to expect Lexia to arrive in a dress. She wouldn¡¯t even attend the Founding balls, where the dress code mandated it.


    No, Axis wouldn¡¯t dream of asking Lexia to wear one. Not even for their wedding. She¡¯d rant about not being dressed to participate in a duel, should the occasion call for it. The notion was amusing enough to make him smirk into his wine and relax his nerves.


    No way.


    While Axis waited for Lexia to arrive, he peered at the copper utensils surrounding the crystal plates. Everything else in this restaurant had come from Tempest crop or Flicker manufacturing. But the expensive copperware was an ugly reminder of Axis¡¯ day¡ªone he¡¯d hoped to keep from his mind during this special evening. Yet as the parade sounded from outside with its ugly floats on Flicker-engineered rails, Axis had trouble keeping Gauge Snow off his mind.


    ¡°We keep losing employees to your mines because your pay and benefits are competitive, which goes against our accord,¡± Axis argued at his father¡¯s side.


    The older man nodded silently in his approval.


    Gauge had steepled his gloved fingers to his lips and smirked behind them. The entire board went silent and awaited his response with bated breath. Before answering, Gauge removed his rose-tinted spectacles¡ªthe copper frames glinted in the whiskey light of his auspicious conservatory. Nothing in the room¡ªnot the grand piano, not the scantily dressed servants, nor the table of bespoke stakeholders¡ªcould take away from the piercing blue of the Count¡¯s eyes. Their striking shade of cobalt emphasized the blue tint of his dark gray complexion.


    Everyone in the room went stock still.


    Into that silence, Gauge said, ¡°The People¡¯s Prince has spoken. I must reduce the pay and benefits offered in my mines should his family¡¯s terrible mistreatment of their factories¡¯ employees continue without consequence.¡±


    What?


    What ¡®mistreatment¡¯ was Gauge referring to?


    At Axis¡¯ frown, the Copper Count continued, ¡°Perhaps you should investigate your own policies and practices¡ªStandardize them, even. Rather than allowing your machine managers to dictate their own, including corrective action and training. With the kind of punishment I hear they dole out over the slightest mistakes, it¡¯s a wonder you retain any employees whatsoever.¡±


    Axis looked away from Gauge¡ªan arduous task when all the chairs at the table were mounted to face him¡ªand glared at his father.


    Valve Flicker did nothing to refute the accusations. Instead, he took his cigar out of his mouth to say, ¡°You¡¯ll find the real trouble in the unions which keep forming under Dr. Tempest¡¯s diligence.¡±


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    Deflection.


    It was an ugly admission of guilt which Axis abhorred, but, across the table, Dr. Tempest entertained it.


    The good doctor said, ¡°Since we¡¯ve allowed a few crops to unionize, we¡¯ve received fewer complaints from our more labor-intensive positions. In fact, we¡¯ve seen an influx of new employees. I could even say a few came from your camp, Master Flicker.¡±


    Axis almost shuddered where he sat waiting in the restaurant recalling the use of his father¡¯s formal title. They were hand-selected after the previous world had ended: Doctor, Master, and Count. At least Leon held a doctorate in agricultural science in his previous life. But Master and Count?


    Axis had rolled his eyes at the arrogance then, and he almost rolled them now. But he caught a glimpse of white from the doorway. It was enough to banish any aggravation from today¡¯s leadership meeting. Only two people in all of Winter were born with white hair, and sadly, Lexia had lost her mother two years ago.


    As she walked through the door, the smile on her burgundy-painted lips was all that mattered in the world. It lit up the room far better than the wicks in the gas lamps, but Lexia¡¯s clothes made Axis think of darker things. How was she even breathing in that corset? And she wore the thigh-high boots he liked to make them nearly the same height.


    Stunned.


    That¡¯s how Axis felt until he shook himself from the trance and minded his manners enough to stand and pull out Lexia¡¯s chair. He¡¯d worn a new silk three-piece for her in the color she liked, matching the rich burgundy of her lips and his hair. It could only bring out the soft green of his eyes, and the eye contact between them said that she¡¯d noticed.


    They didn¡¯t kiss when Lexia arrived at the table, taking her seat and peering up at Axis with the desire to do so in her eyes. But she respected his phobia about public displays of affection, which made him hope all the more that his plans for tonight would surprise her.


    It took everything in Axis to brush Lexia¡¯s back through the chair, and, when he sat, he could see how she beamed at him for it.


    Yes. Tonight was the night.


    They didn¡¯t need menus. The wait staff immediately served them their favorite drinks and appetizers, and would return with their entrees soon. In that time, Axis tried his best to work up his nerve, and bless Lexia for breaking the tension.


    ¡°I was the only one in the office today. This Founding Season seems to be more anticipated than I can think of any other year.¡±


    Axis ate up the small talk as an excuse to slow his pounding heart. He said, ¡°It was in the air at the board meeting. Did your father brief you on it yet?¡± Some part of him was grateful Dr. Tempest never asked Lexia to attend. She wouldn¡¯t stand for Snow¡¯s grandiose flexing. But another part of Axis knew how much Lexia wanted her father to respect her enough to let her attend. It was a complex situation, and one which would eventually find resolution.


    Lexia beamed as she said, ¡°Not yet. I came straight here to meet you.¡± She didn¡¯t have to ask about the surprise Axis had promised. He could see the curiosity naked in her exotic eyes. Despite how much powder she¡¯d applied, she could never fully cover the striking effect of her freckles so near those obsidian irises.


    Could they just skip this part and get straight to celebrating their time by sneaking off to his bedroom?


    Axis¡¯ thoughts must¡¯ve shown on his face, because Lexia¡¯s grin tilted into a sexy, knowing smirk. It was infectious.


    This was it.


    The timepiece on Axis¡¯ wrist was leather and silver, simple and elegant. When he began rolling back his sleeve, he heard Lexia¡¯s breath catch in a soft gasp. He said, ¡°Lexi, would you¡ª¡±


    Servers interrupted with the entrees, and Axis hid his exposed arm under the table like a coward. He almost broke out into a sweat. Why was this so hard?


    Across from him, Lexia smiled. It wasn¡¯t pitying, even though she was fully aware of his command for privacy. It was gorgeous and bright, completely aware of the gesture he¡¯d wanted to make without ruining the surprise.


    While Axis tried to recover from an onset of panic, Lexia¡¯s boot found his calf and traveled up between his legs. Hers were long enough to span the distance. After Lexia caught his eye and winked, Axis spread his legs further for her.


    She was perfection, and he wanted her forever. That¡¯s what the exchanging of watches meant. They would share their time belonging to one another, if only Axis could muster up the nerve.


    But the entrees came and went.


    They¡¯d split dessert with Axis biting his lip because of Lexia¡¯s teasing.


    It seemed the entire date had passed in the blink of an eye, and now the opportunity to propose publicly had closed. Axis couldn¡¯t do it. He¡¯d even unrolled his sleeve and tried his best not to look defeated.


    Lexia knew. It was in her eyes, kind as they were. She said, ¡°We¡¯ll stick to the rest of the plan for tonight.¡±


    Meaning, Lexia would try to ditch her bodyguard who waited outside the restaurant to sneak over to Axis¡¯ apartments. She must know that when he¡¯d made those plans, he¡¯d intended for them to be engaged already, but she showed no signs of disappointment. In fact, she seemed eager to get him alone.


    That was how Axis liked it, which was also part of his problem.


    When he¡¯d asked last year for Dr. Tempest¡¯s blessing, Lexia¡¯s father had been clear¡ªIf Axis couldn¡¯t handle a public engagement, then he couldn¡¯t handle a public wedding. Or a public lifetime partnership.


    One day, Axis would live up to his promise.

 Copper & Snow 1.3 Winters Mettle

    Gauge Snow signed an order to increase starting benefits across the board in his copper mines. This ought to amuse Axis Flicker, not that the younger man¡¯s father would care. No, the factories would continue to pour dissatisfied laborers into the trains leading to the Ignis Crater, and the Count of Copper was fine with that.


    With a sigh, Gauge leaned back in his chair, laced his gloved fingers over his brocade waistcoat, and crossed his polished spats on top of his desk. This Founding Season was more welcome than last year¡¯s. So much progress had been made in steam ingenuity, mostly thanks to Dr. Tempest¡¯s contributions. Meanwhile, as the man in charge of progress, Valve Flicker proved more nauseating by the minute. Quotas weren¡¯t being met, and Gauge tired of the Factory Master deflecting concern onto crops. It was a maneuver, a pawn offered on the chessboard, but for watching the vein pop in Axis¡¯ forehead, it was losing its entertainment value.


    Not to mention, it was a waste of the twenty-nine-year-old Gauge¡¯s precious fucking time to deal with middle-aged stalwarts.


    There were ceremonies to prepare and balls to arrange. Every wedding required Gauge¡¯s officiation, but it served more as a way of keeping track of post-Founding lineage. Not every genetic pairing was optimal, and he oversaw the matches to guarantee the survival of the best traits. Though it wasn¡¯t as if anyone knew that. They all assumed it was his right as the man who¡¯d led them to their salvation.


    Winter¡¯s children were so easily manipulated.


    Tired from four days of insomnia, Gauge sat up straight and swiped his gloved hands down his face. He was getting old if less than a week without rest was wearing him down this badly. Or perhaps it was a byproduct of too much work. It kept coming and hadn¡¯t looked likely to slow down over the course of the ten years since the electromagnetic pulse had rendered electronics useless. What a glorious age of steam and copper it had heralded, and oh, so many secrets.


    Gauge got up from his desk, left his conservatory for the library, and climbed up the rosewood spiral stairs. At the top, he went to the southwest corner and moved a set of false books aside. He reached behind them to dial his combination into the lock. When the tumblers released the mechanism, he pushed the wall of books inward. Steam hissed as the hydraulics allowed him into the vault.


    The darkness inside smelled of leather and blackmail. Gauge inhaled it as he turned up the lights. Their rose glass fixtures illuminated the columbarium of extortion in soft pink hues. Every cremation slot held a wealth of persuasion, but none so valuable as the two in the center, aptly labeled Tempest and Flicker. Each of their columns were twenty slots tall and three slots wide.


    Ignoring the good doctor¡¯s dossier, Gauge went to the Flickers¡¯ files, hoping for some inspiration to motivate the Factory Master into doing his job. Gauge¡¯s spies kept comfortable supplying this treasure trove, living handsomely above the table of obligatory labor. While he studied the material on Valve, Gauge helped himself to a drink, sat in one of the tufted chairs, and frowned at the reports until his vision blurred.


    It surprised Gauge to find nothing on Axis. The People¡¯s Prince didn¡¯t liaison with his employees, nor did he abuse his position of power. He didn¡¯t even embezzle from the company pot. The only news in his file pertained to his relationship with Lexia Tempest, and that included a forthright request from her father for Axis to marry Leon¡¯s daughter.


    So wholesome.


    So boring.


    But the mention of Lexia made Gauge glance at the Tempests¡¯ slots. She was old enough to marry now, and he realized she must be about twenty-three. Not that he would know this information offhand. Gauge hadn¡¯t seen her since they were children. He set his drink aside, left his chair, and crossed the vault to the Tempest collection. He opened the slot and rifled through the papers until he found a signed trade agreement with Lexia¡¯s seal.


    A gilded butterfly.


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    ¡°Butterflies are so pretty. They¡¯re my favorite. What do you like, Gauge?¡±


    Gauge, nine at the time, wanted to make friends with Lexia and Axis, and he knew the perfect gift to give her for an upcoming birthday. Sickly as he was, Gauge went outside every day for a month and collected twenty-five butterflies. Excited, he prepared his present for Lexia, hoping that by winning her approval, Axis would teach him to climb trees. Yes, they were younger than him¡ªfour and five respectively¡ªbut Gauge was small for his age. ¡®Little Bones¡¯ his father would call him.


    After a bad bout of his illness, Gauge was too weak to attend Lexia¡¯s birthday, so he made sure to rest and take his medicine. In a week¡¯s time, he was allowed to visit Dr. Tempest¡¯s home again. There, he gave Lexia her birthday present.


    Twenty-five butterflies pinned and labeled.


    But the surprise went all wrong.


    Lexia saw the dead butterflies and began to cry.


    ¡°Please, Lexia, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to make you sad¡ª¡±


    ¡°Get away from her, Gauge.¡± Axis pulled Lexia¡¯s face, yellow with tears, into his chest and held her. ¡°Don¡¯t come near us again.¡±


    Gauge blinked and found himself aware of his vault once more. He refocused on the present issue.


    It was a known fact that Axis didn¡¯t like public engagements. He abstained from the Founding events and only attended factory functions under threat of being disowned. Gauge wondered how the young man would fair in such an ambitious relationship. Every single detail of their marriage would fall under public scrutiny, including the engagement and wedding. And what sort of match would the two make?


    Lexia was a genetic marvel, so similar to her mother. If it were up to Gauge, he would clone the girl to keep her genes pure, but Axis wasn¡¯t an unworthy match. His intellect and coloring would make for a positive contribution to Winter¡¯s pool.


    However, it was in Gauge¡¯s best interest for the two to separate immediately. Tempest and Flicker together, uniting their families and their industries.


    Against Gauge.


    No. He needed some dirt on the squeaky clean Prince as soon as possible, preferably before his father¡¯s death and Axis¡¯ subsequent inheritance over Flicker Industries.


    And as for Lexia, Dr. Tempest kept her like a princess locked in a tower. She attended nothing. Ever. The last time Gauge had glimpsed her white hair and black eyes was the first Founding Day when she¡¯d been thirteen and the world went by another name.


    A lesser name.


    Winter suited the planet better amid an ice age. Only steam¨Cengineered glass domes kept the cities safe, and they were connected by steam-powered underground tracks. All of which were supplied by Gauge¡¯s imagination. Without him, there would be no cities on Winter. Without him, there would be no people at all.


    The Founding Parade sounded outside, and Gauge cursed. He swept on his coat, grabbed a top hat, and his cane¡ª


    With a quick about-face, he went to his desk to reclaim his glasses. He couldn¡¯t go outside without them. The copper along the side of the lenses blocked his peripheral vision, but also kept out the light from the sun, which was almost prismatic through the glass domes. It blinded his weak corneas.


    It was one reason Gauge had removed himself from the gene pool, but that was more negativity than he cared to entertain during the first day of his favorite season. The season all about Gauge and how he saved Winter.


    The second he left his library, half-dressed servants descended upon him.


    ¡°Count Snow, we have prepared your speech for today.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget your cane, sir.¡±


    ¡°Will you require refreshments once you commence the Season¡¯s festivities?¡±


    To labor in the Copper Cathedral was an honor. Gauge was not a demanding master, and his people luxuriated in the finest of everything not only for their lifetimes, but for the lifetimes of their children and so on. However, their loyalty came with a price. Wrong him¡ªbetray him¡ªand Gauge would cast their entire family in the Wall of Pain. The doors to the Copper Cathedral were a permanent reminder of his expectations and the punishment for failing them.


    The copper entry opened now, revealing a gathered crowd in Snow Plaza. Gauge set his top hat on his midnight black braids and leaned a little more heavily on his jeweled cane as he stepped outside. The parade and those who followed it into the Plaza cheered at his appearance. He stepped out onto the veranda, standing half a story above the cobbles, and waved.


    From the apex of Tempest Boulevard, the good doctor, Leon, fired a flare, and blue streaked the sky. From the left, where Flicker Avenue intersected with the plaza, Valve shot a red flare. Gauge fired the copper-colored flare into the night. When the three lights joined in the sky at a triangle, the music started up again, and their people danced in the streets. The half-naked men and women on the floats joined the dancers with the band, and merriment ensued.


    While Axis avoided public events, Gauge relished them. He loved the colors and sounds¡ªthe smells of delicious treats from concessions. The glitter and glitz dazzled him and filled his heart with pride.


    He did this.


    Gauge¡¯s hard preparation had earned him this reward, and it never got old.

 Copper & Snow 1.4 Winters Mettle

    {An Hour Later}


    Lexia trailed a circle on Axis¡¯ bare chest. His topaz skin contrasted starkly against her pale hand. She loved the marriage of the colors and often imagined a child with such a complexion. They laid together, satisfied for now, and discussed their futures. Mostly work. Meanwhile, she drew a map of their lives across his abdomen, careful to avoid the ugly round scars. The coin-sized imperfections constellated his entire body in small circular reminders of pain, and Lexia hated them.


    It¡¯s why she never asked Axis to be rough with her, even though she craved the knife¡¯s edge between pain and pleasure, control and choice. Lexia loved him too much, knowing Axis could never hurt her after the abuse he¡¯d endured all his life. She was happy with how he liked things, gentle and drawn out to prolong the climax.


    It had taken Lexia the better part of an hour to stealth out from the cover of Rhyme¡¯s watchful eyes, yet still, it shouldn¡¯t be too hard to find her. Lexia and Axis¡¯ relationship was growing more and more public with every stride her lover took to propose. The newspapers reported every picnic in the park or lazy stroll. A local writer created a play after catching the couple making eye contact across the street once. When they first held hands in public, someone changed Winter¡¯s anthem to include lyrics about their perfect match.


    Axis hated it, but Lexia didn¡¯t mind. Their eventual union would dominate gossip about children and inheritance, all things expected when born into the most prominent families on the planet.


    ¡°Come back to me, Lexia.¡± Axis kissed the top of her hair and took her tracing hand in his, kissing it next. ¡°Am I boring you with my recap of the meeting?¡±


    She wanted to laugh about his choice of pillow talk, but it had always been this way. Gauge Snow was never far from Axis¡¯ mind. Lexia said, ¡°I think the unions are a sign of growth, and, although it often comes with a little pain, this change will ultimately result in a stronger force.¡±


    ¡°Much stronger than our factories, apparently. I can¡¯t believe father is letting the machine managers abuse laborers, and I¡¯m especially aggrieved to learn this from Snow of all people.¡±


    Yes, Lexia supposed it was quite embarrassing. She wasn¡¯t sure why, but she always imagined the Count of Copper with a smug smile on his face. At least that¡¯s how Axis painted him. In her lover¡¯s defense, she said, ¡°I wished I could¡¯ve been there.¡±


    Axis barked out a laugh. ¡°You would eat him alive.¡± Still holding onto her hand, he turned it over and peered at the timepiece on her wrist.


    The metal twisting around it to form Lexia¡¯s seal was gold, and the harness was a soft black leather. It fastened the small clock to the pulse point on her wrist.


    Axis¡¯ voice was soft as he peered at it, saying, ¡°I wish I were a braver man for you.¡±


    Lexia shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t say that. My father¡¯s expectations are unfair¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, Dr. Tempest is right. If I¡¯m to marry you, I need to get over my issue with privacy.¡± Before Lexia could argue, Axis sat up and stared down at her in his arms to say, ¡°And I will. I vow to you, Lexia. We¡¯ll be together.¡±


    Lexia pressed her hand to his jaw. ¡°We are together right now. Just give me your timepiece, and I¡¯ll give you mine. We¡¯ll tell father you proposed at the restaurant.¡±


    But Axis was already shaking his head. ¡°I respect your father too much to lie to him. He protected me as much as he could. If I¡¯m to be a man fit to marry his daughter, I only have to overcome this one thing. This Founding Season, I know I will.¡±


    There was nothing else for it. Lexia beamed at Axis and brought him down to kiss her. Until they made it official, sneaking out and spending their nights together would have to do.


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    For now.


    Lexia walked home, sore and sated. About two blocks ago, Rhyme had picked up in step behind her, and she didn¡¯t have the energy to tell him off. Plus, she wasn¡¯t stupid. Some protection for the Tempest Heiress made sense, but crime wasn¡¯t necessarily the problem here.


    People wanted for nothing. By participating in any of the available labors within Winter¡¯s city domes, they¡¯d earned their shelter and food. However, the closer to working for one of the three prominent families, the better they lived. Which meant Lexia was often accosted for work in the manor or in the offices. Sometimes it formed a crowd, and sometimes the crowds might become unfriendly.


    So Lexia tolerated her large, muscular shadow for the walk home, especially with all the activity in the streets.


    From behind, Rhyme called, ¡°This is why I don¡¯t give you a centimeter, Heiress. You took a kilometer by disappearing and leaving me with a story to tell your father.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps we ought to keep it between us,¡± Lexia offered without turning around or pausing in her stride.


    Rhyme asked, ¡°Now why would I do that?¡±


    She said, ¡°Because if you don¡¯t, he¡¯ll know you lost me and failed in your duties.¡±


    Rhyme was quiet for the rest of the walk through the streets of dancing and singing people. Someone took her hand and twirled her around. She held up her hand to stop Rhyme from interfering and curtsied away from the drunken dancer. Maybe tomorrow he would wake up and realize what he¡¯d done, but Lexia hoped not. Founding Season was the perfect excuse for a good time, and she welcomed it.


    Wrought-iron fencing between stacked rock columns announced their arrival home. The gate was closed to the street, and the Victorian manor was set back a hundred meters from the public eye. Rhyme went ahead of her to tell the guard to open up, and she sauntered in with a wink for her bodyguard.


    Lexia wouldn¡¯t tell if he wouldn¡¯t.


    Before she entered the property, Lexia glanced over at Snow Plaza on the hilltop. There, the parade had exploded into the grandest party she could ever remember seeing. Beyond the ruckus and the floats, the Copper Cathedral shimmered in the lamplight, its doors an ugly reminder of the kind of man who lived inside.


    Well, the kind of man Axis and Lexia¡¯s father had described, anyway.


    Lexia gathered her coat around her, but it wouldn¡¯t fight off the chill. Rhyme followed her inside and down the long paver walkway to the beautiful house she called home. Would Lexia miss the pastel blue siding and soft gray shingles with its wraparound porch when she married Axis? Would she move into the Flickers¡¯ ugly brick mansion, or could she talk her future husband into a compromise of their own home together?


    These thoughts concerned Lexia as she stepped inside the warm sentinel of her childhood.


    Rosewood stairs wrapped around the walls up to the fifth floor, comprising the grand foyer. Her father stood on the second floor landing with a warm smile.


    Dr. Tempest¡¯s voice held a wealth of affection for his headstrong child as he asked, ¡°Should I ever expect you to arrive on time?¡±


    Lexia beamed up at him. ¡°Only for work, father.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my daughter. Punctual only when it matters.¡± Leon¡¯s watchful gray eyes fell on the timepiece on her wrist, and his face softened. ¡°How is Axis?¡±


    Lexia wanted to cry. Perhaps, she¡¯d hinged too much on this date¡ªtoo much on Axis. She reinforced the smile on her face. ¡°Lovely as always, father.¡± For good measure, she said, ¡°Rhyme was diligent, as only a professional of his caliber could be.¡± She turned and extended the smile to her bodyguard.


    Rhyme¡¯s eyes widened a touch.


    Leon asked, ¡°Did you keep her out of trouble?¡±


    Rhyme glanced at Lexia before answering, ¡°Yes, sir. There was nothing out of the usual.¡±


    Lexia relaxed a bit and made a note to send Rhyme a thank you gift. She turned back to the stairs and took them two at a time, with a pause on the landing to hug her father. ¡°I¡¯m tired from working¡ªalone¡ªall day. Good night.¡±


    ¡°Good night, love.¡±


    Lexia¡¯s room was the only room on the fifth floor, where her father insisted on keeping her private apartments. It was covered in sketches of Axis and butterflies which no one was allowed to disturb. A desk, a bed, a vanity, and a wardrobe consumed the bedroom in soft white. More white furniture made up the sitting room. The parquet floors were painted black¡ªmuch to her father¡¯s dismay and much to Lexia¡¯s delight. And a bathroom accounted for the rest of the upstairs.


    After a hot soak and writing a letter to Axis, Lexia went to bed with entirely too much on her mind. Dreams of copper and snow haunted her.


    She awoke the next morning to find a stack of missives in the sitting room. The only one she cared about was the one in the red envelope. It boasted Axis¡¯ flame seal.


    I will keep my vow.


    Lexia¡¯s heart soared, and she almost missed the shiny envelope at the bottom of the stack.


    Copper leaf.


    A surge of adrenaline sent Lexia¡¯s pulse pounding. She opened the envelope to find a slip of black paper with a signet in the shape of a shooting star, and only two words were written on the invitation.


    Founding Ball.


    Lexia would need to find a dress.

 Copper & Snow 1.5 Winters Mettle

    After spending last night with Lexia in his arms, Axis felt revived and ready to conquer the empire. Which meant dressing down to blend in at the train depots. The spiraling tracks twirled around buildings only ten years in their infancy, but designed to look two hundred years old with turrets, parapets, and verandas. It was a stark contrast compared to the pristine, brick offices at Flicker¡¯s Factories.


    Here, at the train stations, people filed in and out, all in higher spirits thanks to the Founding Season. Mandatory vacation sent shoppers on their way to stimulate the economy throughout Winter¡¯s capital city. With gifts to share and balls to attend, there was no shortage of intellectual property to barter and exchange.


    In his hand-woven sweater and tailored slacks, Axis still stood out. He was already taller than most of the citizens at six feet, four inches, but there was little he could do to change his skin and eye color¡ªa trademark of his family¡¯s genes. Most people politely ignored him, but some stared and whispered.


    Axis smiled for everyone, searching the crowd for a familiar face¡ª


    There.


    Mrs. Tenz stepped off the train and noticed Axis immediately. He was sad to see her smile lessen as he approached. He hoped it had more to do with her leaving the factory after six years rather than something to do with him personally.


    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Tenz.¡±


    She blushed a little as she took the hand Axis offered. ¡°Good morning, Master Flicker.¡±


    He almost gagged before saying, ¡°Just ¡®Axis¡¯ will do.¡± He hated being associated with his father. ¡°Do you mind if I ask you some questions about why you left the factory for mining in the crater?¡±


    Mrs. Tenz¡¯s resolve hardened in her brown eyes, and she led Axis to a bench, saying, ¡°I think you should take a seat.¡± He did, and she sat beside him. ¡°You¡¯re a hero to us, Axis. The way you fought for our benefits increases last term gave me the means to send my son to Dr. Tempest¡¯s university for medicine. I bartered an entire year of leave for that privilege, but I only had it because of you.¡±


    In such a public setting, Axis swallowed and tried to maintain eye contact despite the emotion coming from the older woman.


    ¡°But the machine managers and shift enforcers are¡­ handsy.¡±


    Axis¡¯ brows shot up as Mrs. Tenz continued, ¡°I¡¯ve been working the looms for six years now. I don¡¯t need a lineman showing me how to do it, especially not by pressing the length of his body against me.¡±


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    This was an outrage. Axis¡¯ skin felt hot as he said, ¡°I¡¯ll challenge him to a duel today. Which one was it?¡±


    Mrs. Tenz shook her head. ¡°No, young man. The People¡¯s Prince. I won¡¯t have you dying for my honor. I left, and that was enough.¡±


    Axis frowned and ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. ¡°Would you at least tell me who it was so I can begin the removal process?¡±


    ¡°Your father knows. I filed a complaint with him.¡±


    Axis didn¡¯t bother hiding his wince. His father knew. Of course the tyrant knew. He said, ¡°I appreciate your honesty, Mrs. Tenz. Now can you please tell me what else my father knows that I don¡¯t?¡±


    Axis spoke to three other former employees to complete the full picture. Trusted and long-term professionals complained of sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and even beatings on more than one occasion. It was enough to turn his stomach, especially since every one of them had filed a complaint with the Factory Master¡¯s office.


    How did this fall off of Axis¡¯ radar? And why in Winter would these people, with such esteemed positions, start behaving this way after a decade of compliance?


    Something smelled foul.


    Axis was too conspicuous to investigate on the factory floors where the managers would spy and report back to Valve. He¡¯d need to hire a few spies of his own to gather concrete evidence before taking this to his father. It plagued his thoughts the entire car ride home. Only after he arrived at the brick mansion and received a butterfly-gilded letter did his mind stray to Lexia.


    She was Axis¡¯ angel, his guiding light. Lexia was all that was right in the world. If she wanted to live in her father¡¯s manor after the two wed, he would gladly do so. If only he could bear Dr. Tempest¡¯s sole condition to asking her.


    Wait.


    The letter.


    My loving Axis,


    I know this is sudden, but would you escort me to the Founding Ball? Gauge Snow invited me, and I would love to dance the night away with you. In a dress. I¡¯ll consider it practice for our someday wedding.


    Sincerely yours,


    Lexia.


    Axis¡¯ chest felt tight, and he clutched the collar of his sweater. By planting both hands on his desk and drawing slow deep breaths, he managed to beat back the worst of the panic.


    There was no place more public than the Founding Ball, and Axis¡¯ brain just tried to short circuit because he knew.


    This was it.


    This was the best opportunity to ask Lexia in front of hundreds, in front of their friends and families. In front of the officiator, Snow, himself. This was it.


    Axis breathed deep until he fell calm and imagined the gorgeous smile on Lexia¡¯s face after he¡¯d given her his timepiece for all of Winter and her father to see. And Dr. Tempest¡¯s pride in Axis, after all these years of tending his injuries, would only elevate the moment to the most unforgettable engagement in Winter¡¯s history.


    The hard brown glass of Mrs. Tenz¡¯s eyes flashed in Axis¡¯ mind. It wasn¡¯t really the appropriate time to imagine his betrothal with the factories losing good laborers and Snow benefiting from the misfortune. But before Axis could confront his father, he¡¯d need evidence. So Axis picked up the phone and called in a few favors.


    First, settle this business on the factory floors.


    Then, ask Lexia for her hand in marriage.


    Given enough determination, nothing was insurmountable.

 Copper & Snow 2.1 Silk Bindings

    TWO


    Silk Bindings


    In the late morning, Gauge awoke in his bed filled with strangers. He only knew they¡¯d been brightly dressed the night before and proved extremely flexible. The lovely dancer was treating Gauge to some morning delight, waking him with her mouth hard at work. It left her ass free for the burly drummer to practice some rhythmic work before Gauge sent the pair on their way. He groaned, gripped her hair with his gloved hands, and arched his back as the female¡¯s draws quickened in time to her other lover¡¯s furious beat.


    It was a glorious way to start the day¡ªHell, to start the Founding Season. Now the pair would have an unforgettable story to tell, seeing to Gauge¡¯s needs. Jan, the Cathedral¡¯s butler, showed Gauge¡¯s bed fellows out while the Count showered alone. As he washed through his braids, he glimpsed his hands. They were paler than the rest of him from lack of exposure, but it was a necessary precaution.


    Gauge gloved his fingers before allowing the servants to dress him for the day. A high collar and hand-sewn slacks might seem overdressed and impractical for the work ahead of him, but there really was no remedy for good taste.


    When breakfast came, Gauge took out a vial from his kit and dusted its contents across the eggs and bread.


    No reaction.


    Then for the juice, he took out a dropper and tested it.


    Nothing.


    Yes, doing so altered the experience, but Gauge had long become accustomed to the tangy aftertaste coating every meal and every drink save for his private bar in the vault.


    Afterward, Gauge slipped into another three-piece suit and sorted through his mail. He took the guest list and seating arrangements seriously. RSVPs were a necessary chore for the Founding Season events, including the ball and opera. One RSVP in particular caught his interest.


    It was a white lace envelope with a black card inside. There was no message on it save for Lexia¡¯s gilded seal.


    Style.


    So few people had it on Winter, and her response left Gauge intrigued as to the sort of woman she¡¯d become. Which brought him to the question¡ªWhere would he sit Lexia for the dinner? This late in the preparations there was only one table with an open seat, and he couldn¡¯t wait to see Axis¡¯ reaction.


    It was enough to keep Gauge smirking on his way to the Cathedral¡¯s back entrance. There, a team of essential workers joined him on their time off to inspect the conditions in the mines. Each held a clipboard and wore the appropriate safety gear, while Gauge tipped his top hat to them on his way through the black iron door. His shiny spats glinted in what sunlight streaked through the domes, threatening his eyes but for their copper and glass shields. Everything appeared to him through a purple lens.


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    The copper mines comprised Gauge¡¯s backyard. He wasn¡¯t subtle about his ownership over them. Well, he wasn¡¯t subtle about anything. Steam lamps featuring Flicker wicks illuminated the cavernous pit perfectly, and, since Dr. Tempest fitted them with a slow-burning fiber, they never seemed to dim. They were the first tick in the box on his team¡¯s checklist. The next were the walkways and railings.


    Gauge said, ¡°Test these,¡± and then he tried to wiggle a rail, much to his team¡¯s horror.


    ¡°Sir!¡±


    ¡°Careful!¡±


    He didn¡¯t resist grinning at them as he repeated, ¡°I want to know if any of these have lost their integrity. Check for signs of rust and warping.¡±


    They spread out like insects scouring every inch of the crater while Gauge amused himself by recalling his father¡¯s lessons.


    ¡°The Ignis Meteor site was a gift, holding enough copper to finance the future.¡±


    The old man was right, but he hadn¡¯t lived to see how much so.


    Gauge strolled down the gangway, touching his gloved fingers along a vein of shiny ore. Fixed beside it were the pickaxe schedules with this spot high on the priority list. It bore Mrs. Tenz signature. Gauge recalled Axis¡¯ outrage from the day before, and it struck Gauge as sentimental. Perhaps, there was cause to check on the woman¡¯s progress, to see how she was settling into her new role as forewoman. Surely it was an improvement over having some lineman sweat all over her day in and day out.


    And what about Valve? Why was he allowing such discontent in his factories?


    Why, it was almost as if he was intentionally spoiling his son¡¯s inheritance, here on the brink. And as much as Gauge truly enjoyed the young man¡¯s discomfort, it wouldn¡¯t do to see their balance disturbed in any lasting way.


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    The team leader joined Gauge on the top floor. ¡°Yes?¡±


    This annual inspection hinged on him employing the best, which was evident by the man¡¯s list of concerns as he said, ¡°There¡¯s some rust and calcium buildup on the bolts on thirty-second sub level at the second intersection¡­¡± He carried on for quite some time.


    Long enough to see Gauge lean on his cane after standing in one place for so long. When the team leader finished, he said, ¡°Excellent work. You¡¯ll see additional time off in your benefits if you can oversee the improvements before this Founding Season ends and the other employees return.¡±


    ¡°It will be done, sir.¡±


    Gauge nodded. ¡°Dismissed.¡±


    Once the team leader set off to delegate his tasks, Gauge went to turn and nearly winced for the creak of his bones, and he was slow to exit the mine. Curse the malady. But the stiffness was his own fault. He¡¯d fallen behind on his physical therapy again, and this was his price to pay.


    Gauge refused to let it sour his mood as he submitted the new seating arrangements to his butler. It was well worth Jan¡¯s eyes doubling in size. He even did a double-take as if to check and make sure Gauge wasn¡¯t joking with him.


    The Count of Copper asked, ¡°Is there a problem, Jan?¡±


    The butler blinked his eyes back to their normal size and shook himself out of the shock. ¡°No, sir. I will see to it.¡±


    ¡°Good. Oh, and invite Mrs. Tenz to dinner tonight. I have some business with our new forewoman.¡±


    Jan went off in search of the crew manning the upcoming Founding Ball, while Gauge returned to his conservatory. He looked forward to investigating this business with Flicker¡¯s Factories. Perhaps, he¡¯d even solve it right under Axis¡¯ nose.


    Now there was a notion to bring a smile to Gauge¡¯s face.

 Copper & Snow 2.2 Silk Bindings

    ¡°And Snow will protect Winter. May it never thaw.¡±


    Lexia¡¯s students finished the last line of Winter¡¯s anthem, which always left her a little melancholy. Why wouldn¡¯t they want it to thaw? Perhaps, the Copper Count wasn¡¯t the best protector for Winter¡¯s people?


    A tiny throat cleared, bringing Lexia out of her thoughts. She¡¯d been staring down at her hands on the piano while the children of Tempest Manor waited expectantly for their next lesson. Five in the front, the tenors and altos, and four in the back, the sopranos. They varied in age and maturity, but all of them had been born under Dr. Tempest¡¯s care.


    A little girl in the front asked, ¡°Ms. Tempest, can we play our instruments now?¡± She swiped a hand under her nose and gave a sniff.


    Lexia smiled. Kids. She said, ¡°Of course.¡±


    Each of them left their places on the stands to break out woodwinds, violins, and brass. The music room doubled as the ballroom, so the draperies softened the acoustics and made for a perfect room to give lessons.


    This time, when Lexia played accompaniment to the anthem, her students played along. Despite a few off-tempo moments or the occasional mistake, they finished their practice without a hitch.


    ¡°Excellent. Well done!¡±


    The children beamed at Lexia while they all clapped. She stood from the piano and gave a deep theater bow. The kids clasped their hands together and did the same.


    The head chef entered the room, calling, ¡°Marey!¡±


    The little girl with the sniffles stood and said, ¡°Coming,¡± before running into her mother¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Thank you, again, Ms. Tempest for the instruction.¡± The chef half-curtsied with her daughter in hand. ¡°Say thank you, Marey.¡±


    Marey swiped her nose on her mother¡¯s arm before saying, ¡°Thank you, miss.¡±


    Lexia beamed and closed the lid over the piano keys to hide the extra shine in her eyes. ¡°You were a treasure as always.¡±


    More parents filtered into the room to collect their children¡ªthe drivers, cobblers, and the seamstresses. The last of which Lexia asked a favor.


    They both gaped at her before breaking out into full grins. ¡°We would love to design a gown for you. Although it¡¯s last minute, I think I have the perfect fabric in mind.¡±


    ¡°And the accessories¡ªWe can compile it all out of materials we have here. You¡¯ll steal the floor, even from Count Snow.¡±


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    Well, wasn¡¯t that a bonus?


    They took her measurements there on the spot and fussed over her height, while Lexia gave her input here and there. They didn¡¯t agree on every choice, but on one, she refused to back down.


    ¡°Lexia?¡±


    She looked up to see her father walk into the room with a curious and slightly bemused expression on his gentle features.


    Oh, right.


    Lexia said, ¡°I¡¯d planned to tell you while we inspected the combines, but this afternoon got away from me. Gauge Snow has extended an invitation for my presence at the Foundation Ball, and I accepted.¡±


    Leon went still, blinking at his daughter.


    The tension mounting in the room brought the seamstresses to excuse themselves, and Lexia frowned as she thanked them for their time. When they were alone, she tried to cut the tension with some news. ¡°The Eastern orchards are asking for a union. I gave our task manager permission to meet their current demands before they escalate out of control¡ªFather, did I do something wrong?¡± Her voice shook a little. She hadn¡¯t seen her father this way since her mother died.


    With a shake of his head, Leon transformed back into the familiar figure of her childhood, saying, ¡°No. Of course not. Did you say he sent you a personal invitation?¡±


    They were back on the subject of Snow. Lexia went to his side and took the arm offered, saying, ¡°Yes. On his signature stationery, or I suppose it must¡¯ve been given it was made entirely out of copper. I returned the favor as is polite, of course. If that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about.¡± She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was wrong.


    Leon ran a hand through his sandy brown, chin-length hair while blowing the air from his cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s not the stationery or even the manners that have me concerned, sweetheart.¡± He led her outside into the acre of gardens off the ballroom¡¯s veranda, collecting his thoughts and considering his words.


    It made Lexia more nervous, but she tried to put on a smile for him.


    Twinkling lights in the birches and along the hedges illuminated Leon¡¯s weariness as he said, ¡°We have an accord with Count Snow¡¯s mines and the Flicker Factory Masters. It¡¯s a delicate power structure, but it ensures the happiness of everyone who works under us, including you and I.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve read the treatise.¡± More like memorized it.


    Leon peered down at her, almost the same height but with worlds more experience lining his kind gray eyes. He said, ¡°What isn¡¯t written there are the politics at play. One cannot simply trade silk to the loom weavers without it coming under scrutiny of each party at play. There are bids to make and egos to stroke. None of them quite so mercurial as Gauge Snow.¡±


    Oh.


    Lexia bit her lip, as her father continued to make his point. ¡°Until this moment, Gauge has ignored your piece on the board, the queen protected by the rest of us pawns. Together, Axis and I kept his attention from you, hoping it would last until you took my seat at our offices on the Boulevard, but it seems we have failed.¡±


    Leon turned and faced his daughter, taking her hands in his. He wouldn¡¯t meet her eyes, and it bothered Lexia. She said, ¡°Father, you¡¯re forgetting that the queen is the most formidable piece on the board. She protects the king and the kingdom.¡±


    That got a smile out of Leon, bitter as it was. ¡°That¡¯s what concerns me.¡± He lifted his eyes to meet hers, no longer filled with concern. There was irony there, instead. ¡°You are formidable, my child, and there¡¯s no way of knowing how Gauge will respond to you. He could banish you to one of the other cities, or force you to work in the mines. Or, heaven forbid, he might propose to you on the spot.¡±


    Lexia couldn¡¯t contain her laughter, but the slight tightness around her father¡¯s eyes sobered her quickly. She hugged him, saying, ¡°I understand, and I promise to do my best not to shame you or find myself betrothed to the most loathsome man in all of Winter.¡±


    Leon shook his head on top of Lexia¡¯s hair. ¡°That¡¯s the kind of talk that worries me.¡±

 Copper & Snow 2.3 Silk Bindings

    Axis despised dining with his father, but on condition of remaining the Flicker heir, he was required to eat with the monster at least once per week. Fortunately, a long dining table of iron-wrapped wood separated them in the formal space. The servants had parted the red velvet drapes to reveal the city¡¯s seasonal light displays. It was a cheery backdrop to a drab evening.


    One day, Lexia¡¯s kind eyes and radiant skin would lift this house into a home.


    One day.


    Until then, Axis tolerated his father¡¯s chronic chest congestion, reverberating off the walls and putting Axis off his meal.


    Valve coughed into his Tempest linen napkin, but managed to suck in enough air to say, ¡°I understand Snow has invited our darling Lexia to the Founding Ball this year. It makes one nervous, does it not?¡± He quirked a heavy burgundy brow on his thick face.


    Axis hated to admit it, but Gauge¡¯s interest in Lexia had been on Axis¡¯ mind. He said, ¡°It only makes sense. She is the crop heiress.¡± And that¡¯s all the stakes Axis hoped Gauge had invested in her.


    Valve gulped for air, and somehow smirked while doing it. A knowing, rotten expression. ¡°Let¡¯s hope he behaves himself. You know how laser-focused he can get. Do you have any diversions planned to spare the poor girl from his attentions?¡± Where Axis¡¯ green eyes were soft, Valve¡¯s were hard as stained glass, and they shone with malice.


    Axis had one diversion in mind, but he wasn¡¯t about to share it with his father. Instead of answering, he tapped his napkin to his mouth and pushed his untouched plate away. ¡°It¡¯s been miserable, as usual, father, but I must see to some business¡ª¡±


    ¡°Light my cigar first before you go.¡±


    Bastard.


    All the muscles in Axis¡¯ body seized, and he clenched his jaw to keep from shouting. ¡°No.¡±


    Valve chuckled as he lit the Snow exclusive himself. The round cherry glowed when he took a drag, and Axis shuddered. His father ignored him, saying, ¡°The doctors tell me my one vice will eventually be the death of me.¡±


    It certainly seemed so as a coughing fit seized the heavy man. He gasped for air like this breath would be his last. One could only hope.


    Seeing the weakness in Valve returned Axis¡¯ strength, and he stood, gliding to his father¡¯s end of the table. He glared at the coughing tyrant. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re scheming, leave Lexia out of it.¡±


    Valve¡¯s fit eased, and he wasted the air in his lungs to say, ¡°Be sure to tell Snow the same.¡±


    Before Axis left the dining room, he turned back to see Valve staring at his napkin.


    It was coated in blood.


    Axis couldn¡¯t wait for his father to die, and it looked like he wouldn¡¯t have to wait much longer.


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    The factories on Flicker Avenue were quieter than usual with most of the staff off for the Founding Season. Axis met the inspection teams at the site in the Factory Master¡¯s offices, spanning the entire top floor of the textile mill. It was the closest to the Avenue with the paper mills being the farthest to keep the smell from permeating the more populated areas under the dome. Acres and acres of factories stretched out to touch the horizon and then some.


    It wasn¡¯t a small dominion to inherit, and Axis took his role seriously. To the inspection teams, he said, ¡°Check every safety precaution, including pinch points. Update the documentation to reflect any hazards, and I expect recommendations on how to prevent them. We went an entire year¡ª¡± An entire year since the last Founding Season when Axis took over, ¡°¡ªWithout a single injury. I plan to keep the streak going.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    Axis beamed at them, saying, ¡°See to it.¡±


    All but one took off to their respective tasks. A petite woman with long black hair and big blue eyes lingered.


    Axis hated to ask this of anyone, but¡­ ¡°Do you understand your role, Ms. Cloud?¡±


    Tija Cloud lifted a compact and applied some bright red lipstick in the mirror. She said, ¡°It will be done, sir, and don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll enjoy this.¡± She gave him a wink.


    It actually made Axis laugh. ¡°All right. If you run into trouble, come find me.¡±


    The young woman smiled and headed out. She stopped in the doorway to say over her shoulder, ¡°Ms. Tempest is a lucky girl, sir.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re dismissed, Ms. Cloud.¡±


    The salute she gave as she went about her business left Axis incredulous. He chuckled into the files on his desk. There was no shortage of young women and men with compliments for Axis, but he found only one person desirable. He knew the same was true for Lexia. They were made for each other.


    Tija was a friend, but¡­ Well, there were more reasons than her looks for why he¡¯d selected her for the task. Hopefully, this would reveal the truth.


    After some time at work, Axis pulled up his sleeve to check his timepiece. An hour had passed. How long should he give Tija to work? He considered the glossy red of her full lips and decided she¡¯d had enough time to draw some attention.


    Axis left the office and tried to tread lightly as he strolled from dyes to the looms and deeper into the textile plant. He kept his hands in his pockets, trying to appear casual as he encountered a few of his inspectors. It was a required chore of the foremen, but Axis was searching for one in particular.


    Mrs. Tenz had complained about a lineman on the looms, and the foreman in charge was equally aggressive when she filed her formal complaint. Walker was his name, and Axis sought him for answers¡ª


    A crash sounded from above in the crow¡¯s nest, and a woman¡¯s scream resounded.


    Axis bounded up the stairs into the foreman¡¯s office and¡­


    Lost his damned mind.


    Walker had wrenched Tija¡¯s wrists behind her back and bent her over his desk. Axis arrived just in time to stop the bastard from hurting her. He gripped the broader man by the shoulders and threw him across the room.


    ¡°Tija, are you all right?¡±


    She cried, ¡°Look out!¡±


    Axis stepped aside before the Foreman could drop a terracotta pot on Axis¡¯ head. Was this fool trying to kill the heir to one-third of the occupations on Winter?!


    Axis punched the man in the throat and kneed him in the crotch.


    Walker fell to his knees, clutching his sensitive areas as all the air whooshed out of him. He turned red in the face and spittle gathered on his lip like he was about to vomit.


    Axis growled, ¡°Stay down.¡± He turned to the woman. ¡°Tija?¡±


    One of her eyes was wincing closed with purple swelling at the site. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she lied while blood dripped onto her lashes.


    Axis grabbed her by the biceps and looked her over. ¡°It¡¯s bad. I think you may need surgery on the bone.¡± Hot rage boiled in his veins. ¡°I¡¯ll kill him.¡±


    ¡°No, no, Prince. You got what you needed to bar him from any employment. It¡¯s better than he deserves, but you¡¯ve done enough. Thank you.¡±


    No matter how Tija put it, guilt and shame suffused Axis and dampened his anger. He¡¯d put her in this position, exploitation and all.


    Under Winter¡¯s watchful dome, was Axis any better than Gauge?

 Copper & Snow 2.4 Silk Bindings

    The crater¡¯s inspection went smoothly, not that Gauge had expected it to go any other way. The mines were in tiptop shape, ensuring the safety of workers and his peace of mind. No complaints meant no protests which could risk becoming riots. And Gauge couldn¡¯t have discontent on his planet, now could he?


    Which was why he¡¯d invited Mrs. Tenz to dinner.


    Gauge was in the conservatory when Jan let her in. Gauge stood and extended his gloved hand, which she took with a pink flush to her cheeks. This amused Gauge, and he brought her knuckles a breath away from his lips.


    Mrs. Tenz looked away, more flustered than enticed.


    Gauge let her go, not willing to risk making her uncomfortable. ¡°Thank you for joining me, tonight. I hope Mr. Tenz doesn¡¯t mind.¡± He gestured at the seat across from the bistro set.


    She sat down, saying, ¡°I was widowed during a duel after the fifth Founding Day. I have seen little point in remarrying.¡±


    ¡°My condolences.¡± Gauge waited until she was settled to take his seat and gestured for Jan to begin the dinner service.


    Mrs. Tenz smiled kindly as she said, ¡°It¡¯s not for you to worry about, dear Count. You¡¯re busy overseeing the mines. They were much cleaner than I imagined.¡±


    Gauge found her smile infectious and returned in kind. ¡°You know? You¡¯re not the first person to say that, but I take the health and safety of every one of my employees seriously. There¡¯s no miner¡¯s lung in my crater. How were the conditions at the factory for you?¡± He eased into the point.


    Jan served the soup course, and Gauge ignored it. No vials and droppers in the presence of company.


    Mrs. Tenz took to it gently, trying to imitate an etiquette she¡¯d never had the privilege to actually witness. It wasn¡¯t a poor imitation. She just forgot to slip her napkin into her lap, but she did sip from the side of her spoon. After dabbing her lips, she said, ¡°It¡¯s delicious.¡±


    Ever the gracious host, Gauge bowed his head, but spurred, ¡°I assume the loom weaving in the factory was quite sterile.¡±


    ¡°Are you and Axis working together on this investigation?¡± Mrs. Tenz surprised him with her question.


    So Axis was oblivious to his father¡¯s mismanagement. The poor genuine fool. Gauge nodded. ¡°Yes. We¡¯re interested in how Master Flicker mishandled the situation. Only I believe I¡¯m a few steps ahead of the young Prince. He¡¯s still misinformed, while I¡¯m aware of how your Factory Master ignored your complaints. I¡¯m only interested in why, and I was hoping you might know.¡±


    Sure. One might assume a woman working on the factory floor wouldn¡¯t know a damned thing about the happenings within the top tier of the hierarchy, but being small meant being invisible. Being invisible meant hearing and seeing things others might otherwise keep secret. Gauge would know. He¡¯d been small most of his life.


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    Mrs. Tenz finished her soup in silence, while emotions warred within her eyes. Loyalty. Safety, even. She had to look after herself and her son. If she was privy to behind-the-scenes knowledge, it might endanger her.


    Gauge said, ¡°I understand you traded a year of your time off benefits for a year of enrollment into Dr. Tempest¡¯s university for your son. I could guarantee the young man¡¯s continued enrollment with no need for you to barter anything at all.¡±


    The woman dropped her salad fork and gaped openly at Gauge. The shock conveyed even as Jan took her plate and exchanged it for their roasted entr¨¦e. Eventually, she blinked down at her plate as if she¡¯d only just realized the change. With her eyes averted, Mrs. Tenz said, ¡°Sir, I don¡¯t think I could accept such a generous offer.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not charity, my good woman. You have information I want, and I¡¯m willing to support your son¡¯s education for it.¡±


    That got Mrs. Tenz thinking. There was so much intelligence behind the cognac glass of her eyes. She could be shrewd; Gauge saw it in the clench of her jaw as she considered. She said, ¡°I want protection.¡±


    Again, he bowed with his head. ¡°Consider it granted. From hereon, you will have a shadow that will prevent any harm coming to your person¡ª¡± He held up his hands to stave her and continued, ¡°And your son¡¯s.¡±


    A tension left Mrs. Tenz body in a physical sigh of relief. ¡°Thank you. The foremen talk, and sometimes the Factory Master would join them. Most of it was typical barbarism: sex, gambling¡ªany vice, you can name it. But sometimes it bordered on¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mrs. Tenz?¡± Gauge kept his voice neutral when he really wanted to accelerate the conversation.


    She closed her eyes before saying a word that made her shudder. ¡°Hedonism.¡±


    The conversation had taken an unexpected turn. ¡°How so?¡±


    With her eyes still closed, the woman paled until she turned green. A tear forced its way from her lashes and streaked down her cheek.


    Gauge steepled his gloved fingers to his lips and waited. Pushing her now might break her.


    ¡°Child abuse.¡± Mrs. Tenz¡¯s voice broke on a half-sob. Then the floodgates opened, and she let everything out on a rush as if purging herself of a toxin. ¡°Violence. Perversion. They boasted of the terrible things they subjected onto their own children, too, and it seemed boundless in its sin. Master Flicker wasn¡¯t above it, and now I know things about our Prince that I wished I didn¡¯t see whenever I look at him.¡±


    Gauge stilled. Everything in him went quiet, except for a ringing in his ears.


    Valve had abused Axis?


    Mrs. Tenz wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°And then I heard him say, ¡®The factories will go to the people before I ever let my parasite of a son have it.¡¯ Can you believe it?¡±


    Yes.


    Gauge could.


    He personally saw Mrs. Tenz out after he insisted she enjoy the rest of her dinner. She was kind enough to ask Jan for the recipes, and Gauge made a note to invite more of his employees over for intimate dinners.


    ¡°Sir, the ballroom is prepared for tomorrow afternoon¡¯s events. Would you like to inspect it before you turn in for the night?¡±


    Gauge went through the motions of approving the table settings and the decor. ¡°Everything is perfect,¡± he said, but his mind was elsewhere.


    It wasn¡¯t until he was alone in his room that he replayed the conversation with Mrs. Tenz. Gauge left his spectacles on his dresser and his gloves on his desk. The massive bed with its Flicker silk sheets welcomed Gauge and his melancholy for a long sleepless night.


    Valve.


    Abused.


    Axis.


    This was new information. Now only one question remained.


    What was Gauge prepared to do with it?

 Copper & Snow Black Chrysalis 3.1

    THREE


    Black Chrysalis


    Lexia woke the next morning, squeezing her pillow. She couldn¡¯t wait to sleep an entire night in Axis¡¯ bed. Truth be told, it was the primary reason she wanted to marry him. To sleep in his arms and feel his even breathing through his broad chest. She hated the laws preventing them from doing so before marriage, including the ones about children. As in, it wasn¡¯t permitted without Snow¡¯s officiation. But enough with the negative thoughts.


    It was the big day, and Lexia found herself looking forward to the ball. Yes, some part of her hoped Axis would propose, but less so than their last date night. It was an extremely crowded venue, and therefore less likely to be the place.


    But a girl could dream.


    Especially as Lexia snuggled into a sweater she¡¯d stolen from Axis. The sophisticated woodsy scent of him lingered in the cotton, and she cherished it.


    A knock sounded from beyond her sitting room, interrupting the cozy moment. The seamstress¡¯ voice carried through the oak door. ¡°Miss? It¡¯s time.¡±


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    Lexia blew the air from her cheeks, fluffing her bangs. Would it seriously take all day to fit her into the dress? She said, ¡°I¡¯ll be right there.¡± It surprised her to find a handful of servants waiting outside her door, arms full of supplies, and two of them had thought to bring Lexia¡¯s breakfast. ¡°I take it we¡¯ll be at this a while?¡±


    Three set her down at her vanity and attacked her hair immediately. Two set down kits and went about her makeup. And the others laid out fabric in striking colors and luxurious materials, prepared for phase II. Lexia had never felt so fussed over.


    But four hours later, as the entire picture was coming together, Lexia was near tears. She said, ¡°Thank you for all the thought you¡¯ve put into this.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ruin your makeup, miss,¡± one tutted at her.


    Lexia peered over at the sweater laid out on her made bed and imagined Axis¡¯ reaction to her appearance tonight. Perhaps today was finally the day. It certainly wouldn¡¯t be a waste of all this hard work.


    ¡°Lexia?¡± Her father was at the door.


    Lexia said, ¡°Don¡¯t come in! You¡¯ll spoil the reveal.¡±


    She could hear his chuckle on the other side. ¡°Very well, dear. I suppose you won¡¯t join me for the drive over?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead, father. I want to make my own entrance.¡±


    ¡°To Axis¡¯ delight I¡¯m sure. Rhyme will be waiting for you.¡±


    When Lexia stuck her tongue out at the mention of her bodyguard, the ladies and gentlemen in the room fussing over her broke into giggles and chuckles. She said, ¡°Sorry. I know that¡¯s not very mature of me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s why we love you, dear.¡±


    Lexia beamed for a moment before a thought made her frown. Tonight, she would meet Gauge Snow for the first time since they were children. The thought made her glance at her desk drawer, where memories waited inside. The Count of Copper.


    This would make for one hell of a first impression.

 Copper & Snow Black Chrysalis 3.2

    Axis had been fourteen when the world by its original name ended. He remembered it better than Lexia, being a year older than her, but he couldn¡¯t recall much about the apocalyptic event itself. He only knew that every year he had to hear about how it was saved and made into Winter.


    The Founding Season.


    Thousands celebrated on the streets and hundreds celebrated at the Copper Cathedral, but only dozens were invited into its interior for the ball. The spacious room was immaculate in its decor and arrangement with every diner dressed in their best fashion for the year.


    Axis among them, especially since Lexia would attend this year. With her eyes in mind, he¡¯d dressed in a black double-breasted tuxedo with a butterfly pinned to his breast pocket. He ensured the sleeves of his button down and jacket combined were loose enough to slide over his timepiece when the time came. He could only imagine the look on her face when he finally asked her in front of all these people.


    Unfortunately, it was a rather packed room.


    Gauge had sat Axis with his father and the other higher ups among Flicker¡¯s Factories. He¡¯d rather be seated with Dr. Tempest across the way. The kind man toasted his champagne at Axis, and he returned the gesture.


    Where was Lexia?


    As far as Axis could tell, there were no other seats available at Leon¡¯s table¡ª


    The entire room stood, and Axis joined them with a roll of his eyes.


    Their host and Winter¡¯s Founder strode into the ballroom. His tux and tails were black with copper piping sewn throughout to emphasize his long legs and the breadth of his shoulders. Neither of which were as impressive as Axis¡¯s features, but the boxer¡¯s build suited the Count at six foot, two inches. However, Axis noted, the older bachelor wore his signature gloves and spectacles per usual.


    ¡°Welcome. Welcome, friends, to another Founding Season.¡±


    People cheered. Axis faked his clapping. Where was Lexia?


    Gauge continued with his speech. ¡°This year marks our decennial anniversary into our quaint way of life, uncomplicated by our dependency on electronics. While, yes, Winter still endures an ice age, it no longer keeps us prisoner.¡±


    Sometimes Axis wondered how Gauge, a budding scientist all of nineteen years old, had predicted the electromagnetic pulse from their star to begin with. Axis had asked once as a teenager and suffered greatly for the inquiry. He¡¯d never asked again.


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    Gauge twirled his jewel-topped cane, implying excitement, with a hint of mischief in his smile. ¡°And this is no ordinary Founding Season. I¡¯m proud to announce, thanks to the talent and dedication of our engineering team, we are opening our fourth city in sector twelve!¡±


    Axis blinked. Sector twelve was a tundra¡­


    ¡°Through the power of steam, we shielded the site and thawed the ice until it became habitable once again. As we grow our communities, it is essential we make room for all this progress. It couldn¡¯t be done without each of you. Give yourselves a round of applause.¡±


    Thunder erupted from outside the Cathedral as people in the streets burst into applause.


    Even Axis clapped sincerely this time. Gauge always planned for the future, but to Axis, it was almost like the man was running from the past.


    Gauge waited for his audience to quiet down before saying, ¡°We break ground once the Season is over. Until then, enjoy yourselves. We have much to celebrate.¡±


    Guests took their seats, and musicians played their instruments in a soft ambiance to the dinner.


    Before Valve took his seat beside Axis, he muttered with a half-cough, ¡°Let¡¯s get to him before Leon does.¡±


    Axis was busy looking at the doors. He said, ¡°You go. I intend to enjoy my time off.¡±


    ¡°Oh, like you enjoyed breaking Walker¡¯s jaw yesterday afternoon?¡±


    That brought Axis back around and glaring at his father. ¡°He deserved worse.¡± There was an implied, ¡°So do you.¡±


    Valve humphed and went to intercept Gauge, already swarming with guests. The second the old man stepped into Gauge¡¯s line of sight, the Count handed him a fresh box of cigars, saying, ¡°You¡¯ll need these for all of our planning meetings.¡±


    Axis shook his head. It was enough to make him nauseous¡ª


    A hush fell over the crowd again, but this quiet was more natural, less forced. All the guests stared at the door, including Gauge, who lowered his glasses to peer over the lenses without their filter. When Axis turned and saw why, his heart jumped in his throat, forcing him to swallow it back down with an audible gulp.


    Lexia.


    Her gown was black matte velvet with accents of glittering gold interlaced throughout her skirts, bustle, and bodice. Gold lace stretched across her sweetheart neckline to wrap around her biceps delicately. Her signature timepiece stood out on her wrist and black gloves covered her skin to the off-the-shoulder sleeves. What made her stand out even more amongst the ladies in the room was that the front of her skirt only consisted of a tufted apron, revealing her long legs wrapped in thick black tights. Her stiletto-heeled boots went over her knees with gold strands lacing up the length of them.


    As if nervous from the sudden silence, Lexia brushed aside some of the loose strands of her white wavy hair. The rest was braided back and knotted from her face, interlaced with strands of gold. She wore a strip of gold around her neck and that was all, letting the dress decorate her enough for the entrance.


    When Lexia met Axis¡¯ eyes across the ballroom, hers lit up with a smile far more beautiful than any gown.


    ¡°What happens behind closed doors, stays behind closed doors, Axis.¡±


    The memory of Valve¡¯s breath, hot on Axis¡¯ neck, never faded, and he was shamed into looking away from the love of his life. Yes, everyone in the room knew they were in a relationship together. No, Axis couldn¡¯t handle all of their eyes on the couple.


    Even though this was the perfect public venue and Lexia had never looked more beautiful outside of his bedroom, Axis couldn¡¯t do it.


    He just couldn¡¯t¡­

 Copper & Snow Black Chrysalis 3.3

    Lexia Tempest was the most beautiful person Gauge had ever laid eyes on, and he couldn¡¯t fathom why Axis would look away from her¡ªHow Axis could look away from her. No one else in the room seemed able. Her response to Axis¡¯ downcast eyes was even more astounding. Her radiant smile transformed into one of sweetness and elegance. She tipped her chin politely at her suitor before joining her father at his table in a graceful glide across the room.


    Soft tendrils of her white hair kissed Lexia¡¯s pale shoulders and brushed the golden laced back of her bodice as she made her way across the room. Only then did Gauge realize he was looking over the brim of his glasses. The light from the gas lamps lanced into his corneas, and the pain was enough to break Lexia¡¯s spell over Gauge just in time for her to notice there was no table setting for her. Even perplexed, she looked magnificent.


    It was about the same time Gauge noticed Leon staring at him from across the room. There was icy terror in Dr. Tempest¡¯s gray eyes, and only now would Gauge think her father had cause for concern. Lexia was an eligible heiress of marrying age, and Winter¡¯s best kept secret from Gauge.


    She peered around and waved down Jan with another sweet smile. Lexia¡¯s voice was warm and a little husky as she said, ¡°Excuse me. Where am I seated?¡± She spared Axis a hopeful glance.


    He finally managed to meet her eyes again across the room.


    Gauge was invested in the interaction, and so was everyone else. He signaled for the musicians to continue playing, and they startled from the scene unfolding before them as if they¡¯d only remembered why they were at the ball to begin with. At least it was amusing.


    Jan said, ¡°Come with me, Ms. Tempest,¡± and Gauge almost laughed at himself for how perfectly this was working out. Axis and Leon both watched closely as the fair maiden followed the butler across the room to the only table with an empty seat.


    Valve leaned in to murmur, ¡°Excuse me, Count, but I believe a deserving important guest has usurped my position here. Enjoy your evening. I plan to immensely.¡± Old man Flicker coughed into his handkerchief as he went back to his table leaving Gauge alone with Lexia.


    She looked surprised, and he couldn¡¯t help but notice how it affected her with the neckline of her bodice being so low. Every shallow breath she took was tantalizing.


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    Gauge felt the men of Lexia¡¯s life boring holes into the back of his head, but this was the Founding Season. The festival of Gauge¡¯s accomplishments. Nothing would deter him from enjoying himself.


    When he took a step toward Lexia, she stiffened, a response Gauge ignored to pull her chair back for her. He said, ¡°Ms. Tempest, I¡¯m afraid your invitation and RSVP came too late to squeeze you into another table arrangement. But perhaps you won¡¯t mind joining me for dinner.¡±


    Lexia glanced over Gauge¡¯s shoulder toward her father before saying, ¡°You honor me, Count Snow. Of course I will join you.¡± She sat down, accepting the scenario with class and grace.


    Gauge tried to resist getting close to her ear as he leaned down to scoot her forward and said, ¡°Splendid. I hope you find the meal to your liking,¡± before taking his seat across the table. ¡°Would you care for some wine? Or champagne? There¡¯s much to celebrate.¡±


    Lexia bit her lip.


    While Gauge understood she was considering her words, the gesture drew attention to the deep burgundy of her supple mouth. The deep red was the same shade as Axis¡¯ hair.


    As Axis glared at them from across the tables, Gauge sympathized with the younger man. Lexia was easily the most beautiful person in the room, certainly the most exotic in all of Winter, and losing her to Axis¡¯ phobia of public engagements would be a hard loss from which to recover. But that didn¡¯t mean Gauge wasn¡¯t entertained with the daggers shooting his way.


    Lexia said, ¡°I heard your announcement about the new city. You must be very proud of your engineers who worked so hard to expand your dominion.¡±


    Interesting.


    Gauge resented the purple filter of his spectacles because he¡¯d give anything to see how her coloring changed with the last word of her remark. ¡°Your choice of words intrigues me, Ms. Tempest. Would you care to elaborate on why you consider this ¡®my dominion¡¯ rather than an advancement for all of Winter?¡±


    When she bit her lip this time, Gauge wanted to lean across the table, thoroughly curious as to her next statement. She was clearly putting forth a great deal of effort to weigh her words carefully.


    ¡°All of Winter is yours, Count. Every advancement is made under your watchful eye, and there won¡¯t be a soul in this new city who isn¡¯t indebted to your genius. As are we all.¡±


    Was Gauge detecting disdain from the young woman? He laced his gloved hands against his mouth and stared at Lexia.


    Despite the weight of his gaze, the brave and eloquent young woman didn¡¯t squirm under his scrutiny. Lexia only stared at him with her black eyes open and full of honesty. Her opinion of him was low, and this stimulated Gauge. So few people were ever honest with him, Axis being the rare exception. But Gauge imagined if the younger man were seated at this table right now, even his jaw would¡¯ve dropped onto his plate.


    Lexia was rare, indeed.

 Copper & Snow Black Chrysalis 3.4

    Lexia¡¯s heart pounded as she assessed Gauge¡¯s reaction to her dangerous words. She could practically feel the panic coming from her father and Axis across the grand ballroom. But Gauge¡¯s reactions challenged her diplomacy.


    ¡°Do you consider yourself ¡®indebted to my genius,¡¯ Ms. Tempest?¡±


    She almost closed her eyes to hide from the scrutiny of his gaze. Gauge stared hard at her from behind his violet lenses, assessing her every response. Lexia was endangering the accord, but she wouldn¡¯t compromise her integrity. She said, ¡°I suppose if there were any man to whom I was indebted, it would only be my father for the privilege of being his daughter.¡±


    While Gauge¡¯s gloved hands remained laced at his chin, he quirked a brow. ¡°Then what do you owe me?¡±


    Lexia treaded less carefully. ¡°According to all of Winter, I owe you whatever you can imagine.¡±


    Gauge¡¯s eyes flared a little wider behind his glasses before he asked, ¡°And according to you?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    His laughter was incredulous and amused. Lexia was reluctant to admit it was a pleasant sound, rich in its warmth, and she guessed it wasn¡¯t a sound often heard. At least, the people flinching around the room let her assume as much.


    Gauge hadn¡¯t touched his food, but neither had Lexia. Their conversation had proved too engaging. He said, ¡°Well, you may not owe me anything, but I would be honored if you promised me your first dance of the evening.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t a question.


    Lexia took a deep breath, straining against the corset of her bodice to take in enough air to think. These things were ridiculous¡ª


    Gauge cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. Lexia wondered if he was getting impatient for her response. Should she dare hazard a glance at her father or, worse, Axis? She wasn¡¯t a damsel in need of rescuing, but Leon¡¯s words yesterday about the delicate balance made it less easy to speak without heavy consideration.


    ¡°You flatter me, Count Snow. What have I done to deserve such a distinction?¡±


    This time, Gauge¡¯s chuckle was more familiar, reminding her of their distant childhood. He said, ¡°You upstaged me at my own ball and spoke your mind in my presence. Both are uncommon and, in your case, welcome. Feel free to tell me what you think of me anytime, Ms. Tempest.¡±


    Lexia hid her surprise. Every word rang as sincere. The rumble of her stomach reminded Lexia she hadn¡¯t eaten since breakfast.


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    As if Gauge heard it, too, he said, ¡°The soup is delicious.¡±


    Hungry and unwilling to be completely impolite to her host, Lexia took a sip and instantly fought not to moan. She waved Jan over while Gauge scrutinized her every move.


    The butler arrived. ¡°Yes, Ms. Tempest?¡±


    Lexia smiled at the older man with chocolate brown eyes. ¡°Can you please extend my compliments to your chefs? And to whomever decorated. It¡¯s all divine.¡±


    Jan bowed deeply. ¡°I certainly will, miss.¡± He half bowed to Gauge before leaving. ¡°Sir.¡±


    Curse his glasses. Lexia couldn¡¯t read a thing on his face at times. Like right now, he was staring at her, unreadable in every way. It bothered her enough to say, ¡°Count Snow, a lady might think she had soup on her face.¡±


    The man smiled. He didn¡¯t smirk smugly or grin evilly. It was a beautiful spread of his full lips, one she imagined reached his eyes if she could see them. Gauge said, ¡°You possess no such flaws, nor any at all that I can see.¡±


    Lexia¡¯s cheeks warmed, and she looked away from his radiant expression. Before she could stop herself, she said, ¡°I suppose you¡¯ve told many a woman she was flawless.¡±


    Something about Gauge¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°No, Ms. Tempest. As you¡¯ve already said, all the women of Winter are indebted to me. I have no need to pay compliments in exchange for my heart¡¯s desires.¡±


    Lexia almost winced. She¡¯d offended him. Well, of course she had.


    A servant came to clear the plates, after which Gauge asked, ¡°What else would you like to speak openly about? I know there¡¯s more, and you¡¯ll never have a better chance.¡±


    A bitterness sharpened the edge of his words. Had Lexia done worse than offend Gauge? Had she truly wounded him? But when she met his eyes through the purple lenses, she wanted to oblige him.


    Lexia let the words spill from her without filter. ¡°I think it¡¯s despicable of you to dedicate an entire season to yourself every year under the disguised virtue of mandatory paid time off.¡±


    Gauge didn¡¯t seem surprised by this approximation, but he¡¯d remained silent for so long, Lexia wanted to squirm. Her bodice was too tight, and it threatened to steal her breath away¡ª


    For one second¡­


    No, surely Lexia had imagined it.


    Did Gauge¡¯s eyes flick briefly to her breasts? After she¡¯d insulted him?


    He broke through her thoughts by asking, ¡°How is it any different to the plays about you and Axis? The songs¡­?¡±


    Lexia said, ¡°Those are built on love.¡±


    ¡°So is the Founding Season.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s built on fear.¡±


    Gauge looked away finally and signaled for his staff to bring dessert. Without meeting Lexia¡¯s eyes again, he said, ¡°You¡¯re under no obligation to dance with someone you find so despicable. I¡¯d said I welcome your honesty, and I meant it. However, I find your observations lacking perspective, and you seem like an otherwise insightful woman. A strong willed one at that. It makes me want to challenge your notions and encourage you to tolerate my presence enough to broaden your predetermined inclinations. So what say you?¡±


    Lexia blinked at Gauge. He still wanted to dance after everything she¡¯d just said? To ¡®broaden her predetermined inclinations¡­¡¯


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to upset her. I only wanted to give her this present for her birthday. Lexia, I¡¯m sorry. Axis, please don¡¯t make me go home yet.¡±


    Lexia remembered little of her time with Gauge as a playmate. She¡¯d been so young, and he was around so sporadically because of his illness. But there was one thing she couldn¡¯t forget. Gauge never wanted to go home.


    ¡°I¡¯ll dance with you, Count Snow.¡±


    If only for the sad little boy Lexia once knew Gauge to be.

 Copper & Snow Black Chrysalis 3.5

    Axis couldn¡¯t wait for the dinner portion of tonight¡¯s events to end, so he could steal Lexia away from Gauge¡¯s rakish gaze. Even with the glasses, Axis had seen the man¡¯s eyes lower to the elegant neckline of her bodice more than once. Why wasn¡¯t anyone doing anything?


    Across the room, Dr. Tempest stared as if petrified¡ªa frozen witness to the unfolding events. And Rhyme? Lexia¡¯s bodyguard stood behind Leon, watching her eat with their rogue of a host. He glanced Axis¡¯ way and gave an unhelpful shake of his head.


    ¡°She¡¯s breathtaking, isn¡¯t she, son?¡±


    The last thing Axis needed right now was his father investing any attention to Lexia. He touched his timepiece beneath his sleeve, refusing to respond to Valve¡¯s barbs.


    But the sickly man persisted after another round of coughing. ¡°Lexia has grown into a fine young woman, and Gauge is a man of influence. Perhaps you were but a rung in the ladder on her way up to the top. I tried to warn you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Father, I¡¯ve learned quite a wealth of information from foreman Walker about your part in the recent dissension in our factories. I¡¯d say it¡¯s enough evidence to sway the other Founding Families into legitimizing my challenging you to a public duel.¡± Axis turned and faced Valve across the table, let him see the resolve in his son¡¯s eyes. ¡°It would be the first permitted patricide in our brief history, but don¡¯t underestimate Dr. Tempest¡¯s and Count Snow¡¯s disdain for you.¡±


    Valve wheezed into his napkin, staring over it at Axis. He said, ¡°Snow would never allow it.¡±


    Axis smiled, and he knew it was cruel. ¡°Snow would allow anything if it provided him with enough entertainment. He could make a spectacle of it and demand the presence of every citizen in Winter. Why, I¡¯m already certain that¡¯s how I¡¯ll pitch it to him. Threaten my inheritance again, and I will see it done.¡±


    There was a slinky shift to Valve¡¯s eyes, and Axis approximated he was already scheming other avenues to spoiling the factories out from under his son. But Axis couldn¡¯t care less so long as the man did it in silence.


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    Laughter burst from the front of the room, and Axis turned to see Gauge smiling at Lexia. It had startled many others who flinched at the unfamiliar sound. Dr. Tempest had closed his eyes like he was praying. Axis was relieved to see Rhyme re-sheathe some kind of weapon. At least they were all treating this with the gravity it deserved.


    Reassurance.


    That¡¯s what Axis needed, and he sought it in the same place he¡¯d done his entire childhood. He didn¡¯t bother excusing himself from the Flicker¡¯s table as he made his way over to Dr. Tempest. The man¡¯s sandy brown hair boasted gray at the temples, but he still looked as kindly as always. He whispered to the associate beside him, who abandoned their seat for Axis.


    Lexia¡¯s father tried to keep the conversation professional. ¡°I heard you had some trouble in the looms yesterday.¡±


    ¡°An opportunity presented itself which took a moment of physical exertion to seize.¡±


    It warmed Axis to see the older smile fondly at his choice of words. Dr. Tempest said, ¡°Admirable. Let me know if I can help in any way.¡± He kept his eyes on Gauge¡¯s table all the while.


    Axis loosened his tie a bit to say, ¡°Well, you could help with the situation at hand.¡±


    That tore Leon¡¯s eyes away from Lexia. He fell still, blinking at Axis.


    Perhaps, he¡¯d been too subtle, but the slight tick of the vein at Leon¡¯s temples said otherwise. Axis said, ¡°Dr. Tempest, spare Lexia and insist she spends the rest of the night under your escort. When she accepted the invitation, I doubt she expected to be Snow¡¯s amusement for the night.¡±


    Behind Leon, Rhyme disguised a bark of laughter into his fist like a cough.


    Lexia¡¯s father swallowed hard. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t do that, son.¡±


    Son.


    From Valve, the word coated the back of Axis¡¯ tongue like a toxin, but from Leon it swelled Axis¡¯ chest with pride. Every time. So it twinged a bit in this context. ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Gauge Snow is the Founder of our way of life, including Lexia¡¯s. If I interfere, I risk breaking the accord, and I risk her in ways you cannot imagine. The man is civilized, and so far, has only treated her to his company over dinner. The only man who can escort Lexia from such a simple engagement¡ªthe only man with any right to do so¡ªwould be her betrothed.¡±


    Leon gave Axis a pointed look which burned through his eyes and into his soul.


    What must Lexia look like to a man such as Snow? Gorgeous and sweet but also honest in her eloquence. She was a fair arbiter at work and destined for greatness, surpassing even her father in ensuring the happiness of her employees. With a smile to light up even the darkest corner of a man¡¯s soul.


    The anxiety in Axis¡¯ chest loosened its grip. Lexia was worth conquering his fears.

 Copper & Snow 4.1 Conquered Resistance

    Despicable.


    Built on fear.


    In his twenty-nine years, Gauge had heard it all before, but only in reports from his spies. No one had dared say it to his face. Perhaps if it¡¯d come from Axis, Gauge would¡¯ve simply laughed into the younger man¡¯s chiseled face. Or if he¡¯d heard such talk from Valve, it would make Gauge roll his eyes.


    But hearing it from Lexia stung the little boy in him, always vying for her approval. Gauge had thought, as Leon Tempest¡¯s daughter, she would see the merit in the Founding Season¡ªin Gauge. He¡¯d saved Winter. He¡¯d saved her¡­


    The music picked up tempo. It was the assigned cue for the dancing to start. As host, Gauge had to swallow his momentary disappointment and stand to address his guests. ¡°Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy the atmosphere. Tonight, we dance under starlight.¡±


    The heavy lamps dimmed as a new chandelier was lowered over the dance floor. Hundreds of teeny flames twinkled against the crystal and antiqued mirror surfaces, submerging the dancers in a night sky they¡¯d not seen in ten years.


    Gauge clapped with the guests, but his eyes were on Lexia and her reaction. Her eyes were so black the chandelier reflected off of them like a mirror, and she smiled despite herself.


    Now.


    Gauge reached out his hand to her, and after a slight hesitation, Lexia took it. They made quite the pair as he led her to the center of the dance floor, with the polished marble reflecting the chandelier above. Years of balls, galas, and parties had made Gauge into a confident dancer, but he wondered how well Lexia would fare given her sparse history of social affairs.


    She surprised him by letting him lead. He took her hand in one and wrapped the other around her waist. This close, he could see the blue freckles at her temples hidden beneath pale powder. Even in those heels, he could see she was tall for a woman on Winter, and the boots brought her up to nearly eye level with him. It was more intimate.


    It proved difficult not to flex when Lexia¡¯s free hand rested on his bicep, but Gauge contained himself. Not his smile though.


    She peered at him curiously, and he responded by pulling her into the first of many turns around the dance floor. More guests joined them as the music carried on, but here in each other¡¯s arms was plenty of privacy to get to know one another.


    ¡°I understand you¡¯re quite the prot¨¦g¨¦.¡± Gauge spent every night before an event brushing up on the ins and outs of his guests. Even though last night he was particularly focused on Valve and Axis, he¡¯d found time to learn the business side of Lexia Tempest¡¯s mind. It had impressed him in a clinical sense¡ªa professional one¡ªbut since seeing her tonight, it moved him on a more personal level.


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    With her reflective eyes on Gauge, Lexia said, ¡°My father wanted to entrust our employees and produce to a well-educated and capable inheritor. Once he retires, I intend to not only honor the family name, but to elevate it.¡±


    Confidence looked good on the crop heiress, whose bodice was driving Gauge insane at this level. It was hard not to notice the graceful glide of her long legs as they danced. He wondered what it would feel like to have them wrapped around him¡ª


    ¡°How do you intend to ¡®elevate¡¯ such an already prestigious name as ¡®Tempest?¡¯¡± Gauge asked to stem the direction of his thoughts. He wasn¡¯t a teenager. He could control himself.


    Lexia tossed her hair a bit, moving her bangs out of her eyes in a cute habitual gesture before saying, ¡°Unions.¡±


    Gauge quirked a brow. ¡°Unions?¡±


    They made another turn around the dance floor, the other dancers swirling into oblivion, leaving them the only two on the marble sea of stars.


    Lexia said, ¡°Yes. Our fields and plantations are enormous, expanding even more now with your new city. The people need fair representation, and they aren¡¯t receiving it while scattered as individuals across a densely populated farm in separated cities. So I¡¯m encouraging them to organize and make reasonable demands regarding their benefits and how those benefits stand up to the cost of living on Winter.¡± She¡¯d gotten so passionate about her little speech that she¡¯d miss the song ending and the next one beginning.


    Gauge wasn¡¯t about to tell her she¡¯d technically honored her vow for one dance. Instead, he pulled Lexia closer by the small of her back and twirled them further around the room. He wanted to see the look on Axis¡¯ face, but he knew breaking eye contact with the intelligent young woman in his arms would ruin the moment. So instead, Gauge said, ¡°I¡¯m experiencing the same lack of representation in my mines. Gold, iron¡ªthe lot of them. I suppose unions are the reasonable and inevitable solution.¡±


    Lexia looked taken aback. ¡°You agree with me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I wonder if we could standardize the expectations a little. To keep things fair across the board. One would hate to see cotton treated with higher regard than corn. Would you be interested in brainstorming some models with me sometime?¡±


    The heiress did not blush like other people on Winter. Her cheeks warmed to a soft yellow in the starlit room. The beautiful young woman broke into a smile, and Lexia¡¯s scent beckoned the edge of Gauge¡¯s memory¡ªrain on a hot summer¡¯s day. Fresh and full of life, she emanated the same warmth from her expression.


    Lexia said, ¡°I would like that very much, Count Snow.¡±


    ¡°May I cut in?¡±


    The dancing couple stopped twirling and peered up at the only man in the room taller than Gauge.


    Axis would be so much fun to play poker with because the boy couldn¡¯t hide a thing on his face. His soft green eyes had hardened into stained glass as he seethed at Gauge. The censure immediately melted as he looked down at Lexia. They shared a smile so bright it dazzled the room, and Gauge now understood the epic tales of their romance.


    Truth be told, Gauge couldn¡¯t afford a duel with Axis. He was too weak and would die pitifully quick. And although he¡¯d loved his time with Lexia in his arms, he had to admit that his bones ached. It was the perfect excuse to sit down and rest.


    But¡­


    Gauge lifted Lexia¡¯s knuckles to his lips, and when she didn¡¯t slip her hand out of his gloved one, he took it as permission to kiss them. He put a lot more promise than necessary into his next words. ¡°I¡¯ll call on you tomorrow, Ms. Tempest.¡± He gave a cheeky nod to Axis, saying, ¡°Master Flicker,¡± before leaving the couple to their dance.


    Cane.


    Gauge needed his cane and possibly some adrenaline because he¡¯d nearly let Lexia dance him to death.

 Copper & Snow 4.2 Conquered Resistance

    Lexia loved dancing under the artificial stars with Axis. She¡¯d hardly noticed the striking reflections of the twinkling lights while she¡¯d danced with Gauge and blamed her engrossment on the topic so near to her ambitions for Tempest crops. It had nothing at all to do with the intriguing and mysterious man who she¡¯d been dancing with. Whose cedar scent still lingered on her.


    Stupid purple glasses.


    ¡°Lexia.¡±


    She beamed up at Axis, floating with him on this nebulous cloud. She was so proud of him for overcoming his public phobia and asking her to dance. ¡°Yes?¡± Lexia glanced down at the butterfly pinned to his tuxedo and smiled even more. He was so thoughtful.


    Axis pulled her closer until he could lean down and whisper in her ear, ¡°You look gorgeous tonight, but I can¡¯t help but wonder what you¡¯ve saved for me under this dress.¡±


    Lexia flushed, and she felt a tingle down to her toes. She couldn¡¯t wait to show him how it all came apart in a slow reveal of lingerie for him, not that the seamstresses had intended it so. It was all a rather pleasant coincidence, but as a fine tremor came over Axis, Lexia knew not to push his fears. Instead of teasing him about it, she said, ¡°I left the front open in case someone challenged me to a duel, and my steam cannon is stored in a well-hidden pocket.¡±


    There was the rich laughter Lexia loved. No one laughed like Axis, and her heart swelled knowing she was responsible for the cherished sound.


    Axis changed the subject to work, per usual, but at least they were dancing for it. He said, ¡°You may hear some rumors about yesterday and a factory foreman. Try not to think the worst of me.¡±


    Lexia blinked and shook her head. ¡°I could never think ill of you, Axis, but I would rather hear the news from you. What happened?¡±


    They spent another song with him telling her the story, even the parts which shamed him. Lexia said, ¡°You have nothing to feel ashamed about. I would¡¯ve cast the man in copper.¡±


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    Axis looked like he wanted to kiss her. ¡°You could never do something so cruel.¡±


    For attempting to rape one of her employees? Lexia just might, but Axis thought so highly of her, she didn¡¯t want to disappoint him by repeating her sentiment. Instead, she said, ¡°I insulted our host to his face. A few times.¡±


    Again, Axis laughed. His eyes twinkled with mirth. ¡°I¡¯ll bet you did. I was impressed you could stand to dance with the tyrant for three songs.¡±


    Three songs.


    Lexia had found herself so captivated by the topic that she¡¯d danced with him longer than she¡¯d intended. What did that say about Gauge? She shook herself and returned to the conversation. ¡°What will you do about your suspicions? You can¡¯t challenge your father to a duel for sabotaging the factories. Can you?¡±


    Axis frowned with a faraway look in his eyes as if he were imagining something awful. He said, ¡°It¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t thought of it a million times before. Only now, I¡¯m big enough to actually win, and I¡¯m right. Snow would indulge it if not for the unprecedented spectacle.¡±


    After spending even a short time with their host, Lexia could agree.


    With a gentle pull, Axis separated them enough so he could meet her eyes again. He said, ¡°I was worried about Snow taking an interest in you.¡±


    Lexia glanced over at her father, who also looked visibly more relaxed at his table. Rhyme gave her a nod as she twirled by. She looked back at Axis. ¡°I was surprised to learn Count Snow had manners. By the way you speak of him, I thought he would sprout horns from his head while we danced.¡±


    The chuckle from Axis rumbled deep in his chest against Lexia.


    Still¡­


    She asked, ¡°Do you remember what he was like when we were children? I never would¡¯ve thought he¡¯d grow to be so tall.¡± Or that he¡¯d have such an infectious smile¡­


    Axis said, ¡°I remember he was sick, and that he never¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªWanted to go home,¡± Lexia finished.


    In a quieter voice, Axis said, ¡°I wonder why.¡± Perhaps he could sympathize.


    ¡°All I know is, if Snow had pulled you any closer, I might¡¯ve challenged him to a duel.¡±


    Or maybe not so much on the friendship thing.


    Axis smirked and shook his head in disbelief. ¡°But, and I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this, Snow did help me with one thing.¡± He stopped dead in the center of the dance floor and reached for his timepiece. ¡°Lexia Tempest, will you spend the rest of your time on this planet with me?¡±


    Lexia didn¡¯t hesitate to take off her timepiece and hand it to Axis. ¡°My time belongs to us.¡±


    Nothing was closer to the truth.

 Copper & Snow 4.3 Conquered Resistance

    Axis felt every eye in the room burning his skin, adding to his collection of scars. He embraced Lexia, if only to bury his face in her hair, breathe deep of her fresh scent, and hide from Winter¡¯s scrutiny. More than anything, he wanted to kiss her and celebrate their engagement. But first¡­ People¡­


    Someone clapped, and Axis peered over to see it was Dr. Tempest. Others joined until it formed a chorus. Rhyme whistled, and someone else cheered. A boom of jovial activity came from outside where tonight¡¯s events were still being broadcasted.


    Lexia squeezed at the same time Axis made eye contact with his father. Valve was not clapping. He was smiling most unpleasantly. Axis shuddered, and his lover squeezed him tighter.


    Against his jaw, Lexia whispered, ¡°I love you, and I¡¯m so proud of you. Just wait until I get you alone.¡± It was something to look forward to, and Axis knew she¡¯d intended it that way. If only they could get through the ocean of congratulations first before they found harbor in each other.


    A hand clapped Axis on the back, and, in his growing panic, he whirled on the attacker.


    The Count.


    Gauge, the man who would officiate their wedding ceremony, smiled knowingly into Axis¡¯ face. He squeezed his cane between his bicep and his chest to clap his gloved hands together, saying, ¡°Congratulations, you two.¡±


    Axis narrowed his eyes. Gauge didn¡¯t look like the same man who¡¯d just danced with Lexia, his desire naked in his eyes. No. He looked¡­ Had someone told Gauge about Axis¡¯ phobia? Because he looked impressed.


    Lexia took over the public engagement by smiling up at Gauge. ¡°Thank you, Count. It seems I¡¯ve stolen the show from you twice in one evening.¡± Her decorum was flawless for someone who¡¯d never attended these events.


    ¡°You can have my spotlight anytime, Ms. Tempest.¡± There was more than a hint of admiring flirtation, and it straightened Axis¡¯ spine. Before he could warn the Count off, Gauge said, ¡°I look forward to the engagement counseling, Master Flicker.¡±


    Axis fought not to wince. It was a formal requirement to discuss any intended engagements with the officiator so Gauge could approve the match. Obviously, Axis had bypassed this formality, and the Count intended to see it through.


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    Strangely, for the second time that night, Gauge¡¯s intrusion filled Axis with an icy resolve. He slipped an arm around Lexia¡¯s waist, pulled her close against his side, and said, ¡°You¡¯ll see me soon, Count Snow.¡±


    The man had the nerve to wink at Lexia before stepping aside for Dr. Tempest.


    Lexia¡¯s father kissed his daughter¡¯s cheek and shook Axis¡¯ hand. ¡°Congratulations! I knew you could do it, my boy.¡± To Lexia, he said, ¡°I wish your mother were here.¡±


    Axis felt Lexia¡¯s mood shift. It was in the lessening of her grip on him, and the stiffening of her shoulders. She was trying not to cry. ¡°As do I.¡±


    A moment of silence fell over the crowd as Winter mourned its lost Diamond. Two years gone without Lya¡¯s presence was two years too long.


    ¡°Mrs. Tempest, can I help you make lemon cookies for Lexia?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Axis. You can measure the flour.¡±


    Axis tried his best with the scoop, but somehow he¡¯d been too rough and scooted the bag all the way off the counter. It exploded in a plume of white powder.


    Lya¡¯s immediate laughter filled him with joy, and Axis smiled up at Lexia¡¯s mother. She said, ¡°C¡¯mere, let¡¯s get you changed¡ª¡±


    No.


    Axis tried to keep her from pulling off his shirt, but he was small and he didn¡¯t want to hurt her by fighting.


    The shirt came off, and Lya went still.


    Axis felt the first tear fall on his floured cheek.


    Winter¡¯s Diamond.


    ¡°Well, my boy, are you planning this wedding before or after my funeral?¡± Valve interrupted the precious moment and coughed violently into his dark handkerchief.


    Again, Lexia saved Axis from answering. ¡°Per the laws of matrimony, we will wed six months from now. Perhaps, if you quit the cigars, you may live long enough to see it.¡±


    ¡°My dear, men have so few joys in life. Most of which I can¡¯t list in polite company. So excuse me if I enjoy myself while I can.¡± Valve missed Lexia rolling her eyes to Axis¡¯ amusement because he looked over at Dr. Tempest. ¡°Leon, I expect to discuss expenses with you soon. Be sure these two don¡¯t spend the night together or risk Winter¡¯s legal involvement. Everyone else, good night.¡±


    On the night of Axis¡¯ engagement, Valve Flicker turned his back on his son. He was likely off to some brothel. It wouldn¡¯t matter in six months when Axis married Lexia, and officially became a member of Dr. Tempest¡¯s family.


    The congratulations carried on well into the night much to the detriment of Axis¡¯ nerves. Lexia, bless her, must¡¯ve sensed it. She rubbed circles on his back or gently squeezed his hand. Once, she said into his ear, ¡°Soon, my love,¡± on the most arousing husky breath.


    Yes, Axis couldn¡¯t wait to get her alone. They still had to have her home by curfew, but he promised to make their two hours together count.

 Copper & Snow 4.5 Conquered Resistance

    When Valve reminded the newly engaged couple they still couldn¡¯t spend the night together, Gauge let him do so. There were obligations to consider when a couple married on Winter, and, after tonight, Gauge found himself invested in the Tempest-Flicker merger of houses. As in, there was no way he could let it happen. It wasn¡¯t all because of the imbalance of the triumvirate either.


    The warm smile on Lexia¡¯s face when she agreed to meet with Gauge about union models lingered like the memory of sunlight on his back. She was gorgeous with a good head on her shoulders, and a wealth of kindness lived in her heart. It was obvious by how she acted as public relations on Axis¡¯ behalf, curbing his exposure to his phobia.


    Every second in the same room with Lexia left Gauge more determined to win her over, but how could he do that while also sabotaging her marriage with Axis?


    With a great deal of enthusiasm, the young couple excused themselves for an evening of indulgence¡ªall pre-curfew of course. Meanwhile, Gauge tried not to imagine what Lexia would look like with her hair down and her back arched in ecstasy¡ªAll while he served as host until the last guest left his ballroom in the late hours of the night. He complimented Jan on a stellar evening before rushing away to his library where he bit his thumbnail and paced.


    Gauge paced and paced until his legs begged him to stop, but he couldn¡¯t see a promising way around this dilemma. He didn¡¯t hate Axis. In fact, he rather respected the younger man, more so since learning some of what he¡¯d endured as a child. But Axis was a rival for Lexia¡¯s attentions, not unlike when they¡¯d been children.


    A knife twisted in Gauge¡¯s chest. While he¡¯d wanted Lexia¡¯s time, he¡¯d also wanted Axis¡¯ approval. Even as a youth, Axis had outsized the older Gauge. He could pull himself up in the boughs of a tree and climb to the very top¡­


    No.


    This wouldn¡¯t do.


    Gauge poured himself gracefully into the nearest chair and ran a gloved hand over his face. The feel of the black leather on his skin frustrated him further. Axis never had to wear gloves, and what would Lexia¡¯s skin feel like to Gauge¡¯s bare fingers? Silky, he imagined.


    This was pointless.


    Gauge reached over and rang for Jan. The butler appeared promptly and bowed to his master, who waved off the formalities. Gauge said, ¡°At ease, soldier. I need your guidance, not your pretense.¡±


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    Jan fell into his relaxed stance: feet apart and hands clasped behind his back. He never loosened his shoulders, not completely. ¡°Sir.¡±


    ¡°Tell me what you¡¯ve gleaned from tonight¡¯s gossip.¡± Everyone carefully measured their words around Gauge, making it difficult to learn anything useful from polite chatter. But Jan¡­


    ¡°Most everyone seemed curious how you thawed sector twelve enough to prepare the site for a new city without drawing attention to the project.


    ¡°There are questions about the cleanliness of the mines, namely how is all the rock dust collected and disposed of without respiratory exposure. Simple technical speculations, nothing to draw any suspicion.


    ¡°And Axis Flicker assaulted a loom foreman during routine inspection.¡±


    It paid to have a spy on the payroll.


    Gauge asked, ¡°Was it the same man Mrs. Tenz named?¡±


    Jan nodded. ¡°Indeed, sir. Our man inside said Walker tried to sexually assault a young female inspector, and Axis intercepted.¡±


    Interesting¡­ ¡°She was so fortunate our boy scout happened by in time to rescue her.¡±


    ¡°The man inside agrees. The timing is suspicious.¡±


    Would Axis intentionally bait a predator with one of his own employees? Was that not exactly what Gauge would do? This didn¡¯t seem damning enough to drive a wedge between Axis and Lexia, but it was a start.


    Gauge stood and went to a desk in the corner. On his signature stationery, he read aloud as he wrote, ¡°Our mutual friend, Mrs. Tenz, is doing well as a forewoman here in the crater. She named you as a reference for her employment. Would you care to discuss her performance history over a friendly match? PostScript: Please extend my invitation to Ms. Tempest should she choose to spectate.¡±


    ¡°Sir, if I may?¡± Jan rarely asked for permission to speak. The thirty-five-year-old former security agent seemed quite content to follow orders without question. Unless it endangered Gauge, of course.


    He handed the missive to his favorite employee, saying, ¡°Yes, Jan, go ahead.¡±


    The spy-turned-butler looked uncomfortable as he minced his words. Eventually, he blurted, ¡°Axis is the leading champion in all of Winter not because of his station, but because of his athletic prowess. Are you certain you wish to challenge him in your¡­ condition¡­?¡±


    Gauge had spent all day in public view of Winter, unable to eat, and he was weakened from it. The three consecutive songs with Lexia proved rather taxing on his tendons and ligaments. Jan was right to ask. Gauge reached over and put his hand on the older man¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Thank you, old friend, but I would like to try. You can deliver the adrenaline this time, eh? It should take you back to old times.¡±


    Jan shuddered, and Gauge almost laughed. Neither one of them enjoyed those memories. He said, ¡°Do you mind having a servant bring me dinner while you personally deliver the missive?¡±


    ¡°Very good, sir.¡± Jan seemed genuinely delighted Gauge was taking an interest in food.


    Well, he ought to. Gauge would need all his strength to meet Axis on the mat tomorrow.


    Before Jan could leave, Gauge said, ¡°Oh, and have Walker arrested. He¡¯ll make a fine addition to the Wall of Pain.¡±


    The butler broke into a rare grin, ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    It warmed Gauge to see it.

 Copper & Snow 4.5 Conquered Resistance

    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to try?¡±


    Lexia smirked playfully at Axis, surely with all her lipstick smeared across her face. Her carefully applied eye makeup was likely melted under her eyes. Her hair was the first thing to fall, tangled in his fingers during their passionate lovemaking.


    Axis, the man Lexia would marry, peered curiously at the leather restraints in her hand. There was a hesitation¡ªa caution¡ªto the openness in his face which tugged at her heart. He said, ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to¡­¡±


    Lexia understood. She dropped the restraints and crawled naked on her hands and knees across the floor to Axis where he sat on the edge of the bed. No part of her wanted him to regret saying ¡®no.¡¯ Also gloriously naked, he watched her come to him, lust washing away the hesitation.


    Good.


    Lexia went to her knees between Axis¡¯ legs, and she kissed the side of one knee, then the other. He brushed his fingers through her hair again, and oh, how she longed for him to pull it. To arch her neck for him.


    But Lexia was happy for the beautiful smile on Axis¡¯ face. She would make him feel good if only for the smile to stay. She kissed her way up the inside of his thighs, and he kept his eyes on hers with feverish desire. When she drew almost the entirety of him in her mouth, he looked toward the dome with his eyes rolled back. ¡°Lexia,¡± he breathed.


    This was enough for her. Maybe after they were married, Axis would feel safer and more adventurous, but Lexia would never push his boundaries more than he was willing to stretch. They¡¯d shared one another this way since their first time when she was seventeen, and neither had sought pleasurable company elsewhere. They were all each other needed.


    After round four, a knock sounded on the door of Axis¡¯ apartments. He didn¡¯t employ any servants, so it was up to him to dress and answer the door. He did so clumsily, and Lexia laughed at how he tripped into his pants. Especially as Axis confessed, ¡°I can¡¯t feel my legs, woman. What have you done to me?¡±


    It was late evening, almost time for Lexia to go home, so she listened curiously as to who was at the door.


    ¡°Young Master Flicker.¡±


    Lexia sat up in the bed. That was Gauge¡¯s butler. The rest of their exchange was too soft for her to hear, and she was dying to know what was said. So much so that when Axis walked back into the room, she couldn¡¯t contain her curiosity.


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    ¡°What is it?¡±


    Axis peered down at an open envelope in his hand¡ªa copper leaf envelope. He leaned in the doorway as he read it, saying, ¡°It¡¯s a gambit, and a poorly chosen one at that.¡± With little regard for the expensive paper, he tossed it on the bed for Lexia to read.


    Which she did.


    Eagerly.


    ¡°Will you go?¡±


    Axis folded his arms and licked his lips, slowly, lost in his thoughts. With him shirtless, it was rather distracting. He said, ¡°I¡¯ve already told Jan I would. Do you wish to go, Lexi?¡±


    She smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll be in your corner the entire time, but what puzzles you so?¡±


    Axis shook himself out of his thoughts. ¡°I¡¯m trying to understand him. It makes no sense for him to challenge me unless he¡¯s planned something to shake my footing.¡± At the last, he finally met Lexia¡¯s eyes.


    Oh.


    ¡°You¡¯ve nothing to worry about. I¡¯m sure he doesn¡¯t know about the incident at the factory.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure he does. In fact, I¡¯m counting on it.¡±


    As Lexia let Rhyme drive her home that night, she sat in the backseat of the steam-powered car and fiddled with the restraints in her dress pocket. She did so with the same hand bearing Axis¡¯ timepiece. It swallowed her petite forearm up past her elbow and made her think of sleeping in his sweater. Same experience; more significance.


    Soon, they would be married and sharing a bed every night. No more of Gauge¡¯s silly curfew¡ª


    The second the Copper Count entered Lexia¡¯s thoughts, she reflected on the evening with her dance partner. Were his eyes as piercing as people said? Was it her imagination or had he held her tighter than required by etiquette? Why did his smile linger in her memory?


    But more importantly, what game was Gauge playing?


    Count Snow never came across as malicious or inappropriate, but he maneuvered people like pieces on a board¡ªJust as Lexia¡¯s father had said. Politics. A delicate balance. Even though the music had stopped long ago, the dance was still on.


    Lexia smiled to herself.


    She kinda liked it.


    Only then did she realize she¡¯d forgotten to tell Axis about the union models. Lexia bit her lip. Would he approve of her spending time alone with Gauge? Would Gauge approve of her inviting Axis, certain he would be interested in the prospect? Could the three of them work together¡ªIt was so inevitable in their future. Valve would die, drowning in his own blood, as he deserved. And Leon would retire to a quiet life overlooking the fields, as he deserved. Axis, Lexia, and Gauge would oversee Winter together.


    So why did they feel worlds apart?


    Lexia wished she could talk to her mother. Her chest squeezed so tight at the thought that a small sound escaped her.


    ¡°Are you all right, Ms. Tempest?¡± Rhyme asked with a glance over his shoulder.


    She lied. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Very well, miss.¡± He did not sound convinced.


    Mother would¡¯ve approved of Rhyme. And she¡¯d loved Axis so much.


    Lexia frowned as something tugged on the edge of her memory.


    ¡°Do something, Leon. That monster will kill the boy.¡±


    ¡°We have no means to interfere. The best we can do is let him stay here out of Valve¡¯s way.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not good enough.¡±


    Lexia stared out the car window as it trundled down Tempest Boulevard. She might not see eye-to-eye with Gauge about policy and intrigue, but she agreed there were some crimes only copper could remedy.

 Copper & Snow 5.1 Righteous Deceit

    A fencing match between rivals was a bracing way to start the day.


    Axis slipped his cobalt Tempest silk waistcoat over his white button-down. He felt comfortable enough at swordplay that silk pants should do. They were also a bright blue which matched his opponent¡¯s eyes. Even though Axis had only seen them on a handful of occasions, their penetrating effect was lasting. Would Gauge wear his glasses during combat? It made sense for the man to hide his eyes during social engagements, but it seemed like a disadvantage for a match.


    These and other thoughts occurred to Axis as he prepared for the midmorning encounter. Lexia had said she would meet him at the Copper Cathedral, and Axis was in a hurry to arrive before she did and was left alone to entertain Count Snow.


    On the way, Axis asked his driver, Bolt, ¡°What have you heard?¡±


    The only servant he employed shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s been silent all morning, sir. Winter is holding its breath.¡±


    The onset of a new city would do that. Even so, Axis felt as if more was in store, and, knowing Gauge, there was.


    As they pulled up, Axis cursed under his breath. Lexia was walking up. Emphasis on ¡®walking.¡¯ He disliked her cavalier disregard for her own safety, but there was no changing her mind about it. Lexia would walk whenever she felt like it, and Axis would marry her accepting that.


    She¡¯d pulled her hair back from her unmade-up face in a tousled ponytail, her lips and cheeks rosy from the crisp wind. Lexia had her hands in the pockets of her loose cream pants with brown pinstripes, and they hugged her hips in a way that was almost too flattering. The suspenders went over an oversized cream blouse which was tucked into her pants, giving her a boyish look aside from one last detail. A brown leather under-bust corset presented her breasts in an all too appealing manner. She topped all this off by openly displaying her excessive steam cannon on her hip holster.


    Rhyme followed behind looking sullen about the entire affair.


    Bolt said, ¡°She¡¯s a sprite, that one.¡±


    Sprite.


    It made Axis smile. ¡°I like that.¡± He shouldered his sword case, jumped out of the car, and grabbed Lexia to spin her in the air. His future wife¡¯s laughter lifted his spirits, and there was really nothing better in the world for it. In an uncharacteristic display of affection, Axis kissed Lexia there on the cobblestones. She melted against him with a purr, and it was enough to shake him out of the respite from his phobia.


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    When Axis set Lexia down, she didn¡¯t pout. In fact, she peered up at him with stars in her eyes. ¡°Dear Prince, feel free to do that anytime.¡±


    ¡°Yes, we wouldn¡¯t want Winter to run out of play-acting material, now would we?¡±


    The couple whirled to find Gauge Snow standing on the steps to the Cathedral, leaning on the copper-topped balustrade. He looked ready to attend the most stylish funeral on Winter. The man dressed similarly to Axis¡ªa silk waistcoat and button-down¡ªbut his silk pants were tucked into thigh-high boots, and everything was black. With his deep complexion and his black braids, it all blended into one seamless shadow. Even his lenses were black today, answering Axis¡¯ earlier questions.


    It all suited the Count.


    As if mesmerized, Lexia took the first step toward him. Still holding her hand in public, Axis pulled to stop her. The moment froze¡ªthe gentlemen at odds and the lady in the middle.


    When Lexia looked back at Axis, she beamed, shattering the ice. ¡°The winner gets to take me to dinner.¡±


    Someone barked out a laugh, and everyone turned stiltedly toward Rhyme. He was coughing into his fist in a terrible attempt at disguising his poor decorum.


    Snow said, ¡°I¡¯ll accept those terms, but perhaps Axis could join us. We wouldn¡¯t want him to lick his wounds alone.¡±


    It was Axis¡¯ turn to bark out a laugh, and he was surprised it felt good-natured. ¡°I won¡¯t be as charitable, Count Snow.¡±


    Lexia muttered something, and Axis thought he heard her say, ¡°Pity.¡±


    He never let go of her hand, even as she pulled him up the steps. After parking the car, Bolt appeared, doubling as bodyguard. Rhyme walked with him to the door behind the couple. And Jan waited at the Wall of Pain.


    There was something different about it¡­


    ¡°There are refreshments in the courtyard,¡± Gauge offered, ever the gracious host.


    They followed him through the egregious foyer with its mirrored set of circular stairs leading to an open second and third floors. Beyond it, their party entered a courtyard filled with¡­


    ¡°Are those third generation heirloom black beauty tomatoes?¡± Lexia listed off the details of the plants in the raised beds as if they were rare gemstones.


    Gauge smiled in a way Axis had never seen as he said, ¡°Fourth, actually. They¡¯re even sweeter.¡±


    Lexia went to the next bed. ¡°And Winter-native corn. This isn¡¯t even engineered. I thought the last of it died when¡­¡±


    When Gauge saved Winter from the apocalypse.


    Rows of raised beds lined the courtyard with exotic fruits and vegetables. It explained why no one could match his chefs. The ingredients were enriched.


    Axis loved the wonder and awe in Lexia¡¯s black eyes as she studied all of them. Even Rhyme, Jan, and Bolt were entranced by her endearing behavior.


    It was a shame Gauge ruined the moment by doing the same. In a voice so quiet Lexia couldn¡¯t hear it, he said, ¡°It looks as though you¡¯re not the only one who can make her happy.¡±


    Axis gritted his teeth. It was time to teach the Count some manners.

 Copper & Snow 5.2 Righteous Deceit

    Gauge loved the heat rolling off Axis from his comment. Almost as much as he loved Lexia¡¯s jubilation over his plants. Surely some arrangement could be made to suit all three.


    Axis¡¯ restrained seething ended when he turned around and set his sword case on the nearest surface, a concrete bench. Curious, Gauge watched on as the younger man treated the long, carved rosewood box with reverence. Like a professional, he quietly opened it and admired his weapon.


    For good reason.


    The elegant rapier was death encased in steel with a cup hilt of intricate gold and silver detail. It sparkled under the Flicker wicks. Axis slipped off his white gloves and exchanged them for soft black ones, similar to Gauge¡¯s. He did all this with almost ritualistic regard. And when he lifted the sword, he peered at his reflection in it.


    Axis glimpsed Gauge watching and fixed him with a challenging look. ¡°I¡¯ll be more polite than you and offer you a quiet surrender before Lexia witnesses your pitiful defeat.¡±


    Intensity darkened Axis¡¯ green eyes. The hair stood on Gauge¡¯s arms, and a chill shivered down his spine. In for a penny¡­


    ¡°Why, Master Flicker, are you afraid of a little healthy competition?¡±


    Axis gave a short laugh, and it was filled with genuine humor, igniting the part of Gauge which enjoyed being the center of attention. Perhaps he could win the younger man over.


    Axis said, ¡°Get your weapon and prepare yourself.¡±


    Gauge wanted to laugh, but he wasn¡¯t looking forward to the preparation necessary to complete this fight. Off to the side, Jan appeared equally unamused. Gauge said, ¡°Excuse me while I fetch my sword. Enjoy the refreshments.¡± He left Axis suspicious and confused by stepping into the foyer with Jan trailing behind.


    ¡°Sir¡­¡±


    Gauge said, ¡°Your reticence is noted, soldier. Just do it.¡±


    Jan took the vial injector and ported it into Gauge¡¯s jugular. Fire filled his veins and burned his arteries. The Count ground his teeth and hissed through his nose as the adrenaline found its way into his heart. Jan carefully covered the mark with Gauge¡¯s cravat.


    Thirty minutes, and the clock had already started ticking down.


    ¡°Thank you, Jan¡ª¡±


    ¡°Go, sir. Wait! You¡¯ll need this.¡±


    Jan tossed Gauge his rapier. It was fancy with a copper cup hilt, more for ceremony than actual use. But hey, Gauge had been the one to initiate this match. He would go through with it.


    They returned to the courtyard in time for Lexia to return from the gardens, glowing with delight. She peered at Gauge, possibly noticing he was flushed with the anti-inflammatories. With his sharpened vision, a halo appeared around her white hair, and angelic didn¡¯t cover it. She was ethereal.


    ¡°Shall we begin?¡± Axis asked, his voice carrying a hard edge.


    The light around Axis moved differently, and Gauge tried not to stare at it lest he focus on the vein pulsing in Axis¡¯ neck. Gauge held up his sword, acknowledging his opponent.


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    Axis did the same, and Lexia said, ¡°Go.¡±


    The Factory Master¡¯s son didn¡¯t waste time and lunged first thing.


    Gauge dodged it and swiped.


    Axis twirled away and jumped onto the concrete bench. It lent his height closer to seven feet, and he smirked at the advantage. Well, the bigger they are¡­


    The combatants¡¯ attacks became furious, and without the adrenaline, Gauge would never have been able to counter and parry Axis¡¯ aggressive swordplay. He lost track of Jan, Rhyme, Bolt, and Lexia. It was all he could do to focus on Axis¡¯ left arm¡ª


    Left.


    Wasn¡¯t Axis right-handed?


    Breathy from exertion, Gauge said, ¡°You speak of manners and politeness, but you¡¯re holding back. At least treat me with the respect of a worthy opponent.¡±


    Axis suddenly stopped, and he smirked so sly it took Gauge¡¯s breath away. Not that he had much left.


    Sixteen minutes.


    Parts of Gauge were shaking and not all of it was because of the devastatingly handsome look on Master Flicker¡¯s face.


    Axis said, ¡°Few people notice.¡±


    Gauge took the moment to breathe deep and prayed his bones didn¡¯t seize up. He said, ¡°Well, I can see why, but I¡¯m not most people, Axis Flicker. You will not insult me with poor sportsmanship.¡±


    That dried up the smile, and Gauge regretted saying it. Axis said, ¡°It¡¯s not poor sportsmanship. It¡¯s mercy. But if you insist¡­¡± He switched hands.


    Gauge lunged, and Axis flipped backward off the bench. He attacked so fast Gauge almost couldn¡¯t see it, but he was detecting a pattern in Master Flicker¡¯s style. The Count noticed his opponent liked to parry with a twirl, lunge, and then come in with a flurry of attacks. All Gauge had to do was evade and counter. Not much of an offensive, but it was repetitive enough to keep his head above water.


    With a flip to the side, Gauge blocked an attack, and they found themselves in a stalemate. At least Axis was breathing just as heavily. He asked, ¡°Why did you contact me about Mrs. Tenz?¡±


    Gauge welcomed the diversion. ¡°Mostly to ruffle your feathers a bit. Which you make so easy, I might add.¡±


    Axis pressed against Gauge¡¯s sword, and the Count was losing the contest of strength. He was simply too weak. So back to subterfuge. ¡°Is young Ms. Tija all right?¡±


    Axis stumbled into the impasse, and Gauge went to point his sword at the Young Master¡¯s throat. Before he could claim victory, Axis recovered and blocked it. He said, ¡°I¡¯d suspected she was your source, but I didn¡¯t want to believe it. I want your spies out of my factories.¡±


    ¡°Ah, but you know they are allowed in our accord.¡± Gauge stepped back and spun his sword.


    Axis let him, saying, ¡°I think we¡¯ll revisit the terms once I inherit the factories.¡±


    ¡°You mean, if you inherit the factories.¡±


    The icy exterior returned to Axis¡¯ expression, and he swiped, followed up with an aggressive lunge.


    Gauge spun out of the way, slamming his back against a courtyard wall.


    Nine minutes.


    Now, Lexia came into focus. She was keeping a respectable distance, but looked concerned with the direction of the conversation.


    Gauge wanted to assure her there was no reason for that. ¡°I want you to inherit them, Axis. I think you¡¯re a fair Factory Master, and I look forward to revisiting the accord with you. But you¡¯ve become involved in some affairs which are outside of your jurisdiction.¡±


    Axis looked stunned with his mouth agape. He visibly shook himself and frowned, asking, ¡°Which affairs?¡±


    Grateful once again for a respite, Gauge said, ¡°Your father¡¯s attempts to spoil your inheritance cannot go unpunished. An example needed to be made of someone.¡±


    Realization dawned on Axis¡¯ face, but Lexia wasn¡¯t there yet. She asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Axis wet his lips and shook his head. Gauge didn¡¯t like the way he did it, as though he were wiping something from his mind. Master Flicker said, ¡°Walker¡­ Lexia, the doors¡­¡±


    Lexia¡¯s eyes widened, and she blinked at Gauge like she was seeing him for the first time.


    Why were they looking at Gauge like that? Didn¡¯t they understand? ¡°I had to. Rape and any attempt at such results in the same end.¡±


    Zero minutes.


    The edges of the world became less bright and more fuzzy, especially with the tears. Gauge¡¯s limbs froze up, and he almost couldn¡¯t draw enough air to keep oxygen to his brain. He felt like he was dying.


    Axis, angry now, lunged at Gauge. The Count crumpled, and Axis held his sword to his throat. He said, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are Gauge, savior or monster, but never meddle in my affairs again. Stay away from Lexia.¡± The last he said so quietly she couldn¡¯t overhear it.


    More tears brimmed in Gauge¡¯s lashes.


    After all these years, Axis still didn¡¯t understand him.

 Copper & Snow 5.3 Righteous Deceit

    ¡°Why are we leaving, Axis? You didn¡¯t let me say goodbye.¡±


    Axis was pulling Lexia by the hand, dragging her out of the Copper Cathedral. She spared a glance at the doors, and noticed the copper monument was plus one more figure, trapped in an eternal scream. She shuddered.


    But didn¡¯t Lexia agree?


    Rhyme and Bolt joined them out on the cobblestones, where Axis dragged her to his parallel-parked car. He still wasn¡¯t answering her questions. Then he planted both hands on the roof of the car, leaned against it, and contended with the emotions warring in his eyes.


    Lexia couldn¡¯t hide her concern as she said, ¡°Please talk to me.¡±


    Bolt came around the car, sword returned to its case in his hands, and sat in the driver¡¯s seat. Rhyme joined him on the passenger side, leaving the couple alone.


    Haunted, Axis said, ¡°No man should have so much power.¡±


    Gauge had acted as judge, jury, and executioner. It¡¯s true, his might was terrifying to behold, especially as nonchalantly as he confessed to the judgment. However, Lexia was conflicted. How else should they punish a man caught in the act of rape? Perhaps the Count would be open to alternatives. Maybe they could all three talk about it over negotiating the accords.


    Even though Lexia feared disappointing Axis, she said, ¡°I believe Count Snow acts in the interest of the public.¡±


    Axis snapped up to her, shock in his eyes.


    She staved him with her hands. ¡°We can discuss methods of delivering justice. I completely understand that, but I also understand why Gauge takes such extreme measures. By allowing assault such as what Walker committed, it can spread like the cancer now metastasizing in your factories. Or are you more offended Gauge was the one to dole out the punishment and not you?¡±


    Almost as if Axis meant to wipe away the shock, he swiped a gloved hand down his face and cupped it over his mouth. A tear brimmed his lashes, and Lexia feared she¡¯d broken his heart after all. He dropped his hand and said, ¡°I can¡¯t believe you think so little of me. No, I¡¯m not upset Gauge ¡®delivered justice¡¯ in my place. I¡¯m upset because I endangered a woman I suspected was Snow¡¯s spy and entrapped a man¡ªultimately condemning him to his death.¡± He cut the air with both hands. ¡°I don¡¯t want any of this, and I¡¯m angry with my father for leaving me with this mess to clean up.¡±


    Lexia winced. ¡°Forgive me, but Axis¡­ Think of Mrs. Tenz. She would see both you and Gauge as heroes.¡±


    Axis slammed his hand on the roof of the car, startling Lexia. He said, ¡°There has to be a better way than copper. What about rehabilitation and redemption?¡±


    This was it. Lexia took his hand. ¡°You¡¯re right. We can take your ideas to Gauge. He¡¯ll listen¡ª¡±


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    ¡°No. And, please forgive me, but I don¡¯t want you to go near him again.¡±


    That took Lexia aback. It wasn¡¯t at all like Axis to hinder her spontaneous nature. He¡¯d said a thousand times how he loved her ¡®untethered way of being.¡¯ She breathed, ¡°Axis¡­¡±


    Despite its excessive size on her, suddenly his timepiece felt¡­ confining.


    Regret softened Axis¡¯ eyes. He took her other hand until he held both, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Ignore my foolish behavior under this stress. Never would I ever restrict you, my wild, chaotic sprite. I only fear his influence over you, but I want you to know I trust you completely. Do whatever you like.¡±


    Even though Lexia believed Axis¡¯ words were true, she wasn¡¯t entirely confident his distaste for Gauge wasn¡¯t also genuine. She said, ¡°Ask me why I offered myself as a prize.¡±


    Axis¡¯ eyes narrowed, but he played along. ¡°Why did you offer yourself as a prize?¡±


    She tugged on his hands. ¡°I want us to get along. No matter how you see our future, we work with Gauge. Wouldn¡¯t it be best if we did it together?¡±


    Axis brought her hands together and kissed them. ¡°Will you let me think on it?¡±


    ¡°Always.¡±


    They didn¡¯t spend the rest of the morning together. Instead, Lexia had lunch with her father. It was too cold for the veranda today, so they ate in the kitchen, much to the fuss of the servants. Father and daughter sat on barstools across the butcher block from one another eating salad.


    ¡°I understand Count Snow and our Axis had a match today. Was that as bracing as I¡¯d imagine?¡±


    Lexia laughed. ¡°Well, you could say that.¡±


    She opened her mouth to tell Leon all about Gauge¡¯s exotic crops, but her father said, ¡°I also understand there¡¯s been some trouble in the factories and Snow had to intervene.¡±


    This again. Lexia blew the air from her cheeks, puffing her bangs. ¡°Father, it wasn¡¯t exactly like that. Gauge only adhered to the laws as they¡¯re currently written. Could they use some revising with rehabilitation in mind? Absolutely. But I don¡¯t think he¡¯ll be open to such discussion if everyone keeps treating him like a tyrant.¡±


    Leon blinked at her, mid-bite.


    Lexia tired of this. ¡°Why does everyone look at me like that when I say something nice about the man?¡±


    With stiff movements, her father set down his fork, pushed his plate away, and touched his napkin to the corners of his mouth. Finished with the motions, he said, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s because you¡¯ve only been around him a short time¡ªa single evening¡ªand you¡¯re speaking as if you know him intimately. As if you know him better than those of us who have dealt with him for years. Myself, for a decade.¡±


    Well, that didn¡¯t come across as condescending at all. Lexia considered herself an expert judge of character, and she¡¯d never said she knew Gauge better than anyone else. Just that they should work with the Count instead of against themselves. But if she tried to communicate any of this, it would seem like petty defensiveness.


    Lexia sulked.


    ¡°Daughter mine, you have always been an optimist. It¡¯s why Winter loves you, but Axis¡¯ suspicions of Snow aren¡¯t unfounded. The Count has played a careful game with our accords and his Founding Religion for a decade. If you think the parade is eerie, wait until you see the play tonight.¡±


    Lexia perked up. ¡°A play?¡±


    Leon passed her a copper leaf envelope along the countertop, saying, ¡°These came this morning before you returned from the match. I¡¯d heard this decennial there might be a new addition to the Season.¡±


    The two copper cards boasted a shooting star and Lexia and Leon¡¯s names.


    Lexia took hers and stood, ready to prepare for the evening. But she stalled and bit her lip. After a second, she said, ¡°Father, be honest. Did you consider hiding these from me?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely¡ª¡± Leon held up his hand to stop Lexia from arguing. ¡°You are a girl who has always needed to experience things for herself. I would never stand in the way of that, but as your father, I can only pray you don¡¯t get hurt in your constant pursuit of fairness.¡±


    Lexia nodded her understanding at him. ¡°I¡¯ll be ready in an hour.¡± After she considered the outfit she wanted to wear, she said, ¡°Make that two.¡±

 Copper & Snow 5.4 Righteous Deceit

    Axis read Lexia¡¯s missive. He appreciated her telling him she would attend the Founding Play tonight, but he also dreaded the event. However, he had to admit to some curiosity. Even the parade didn¡¯t tell the story of how Snow saved Winter. All Axis could remember was how the young scientist at age seventeen warned the world of the electromagnetic pulse, and no one listened. It had something to do with his father¡¯s lack of credibility or some similar misfortune.


    Axis dressed in a black velvet three-piece and a crimson silk button-down, hoping to distract Lexia from his earlier misbehavior. No part of him wanted to restrict any part of her. She could make her own judgments. But why did Axis still feel he was right for warning Snow away from her? There was a danger there from which Axis wanted to protect Lexia, and damn Snow if he ever hurt her.


    Bolt waited outside in the car, but Axis paused on his steps. In the light of the Flicker wick street lamps, he made out fluffy white flakes.


    It was snowing.


    Under the dome.


    How magical it was to see any kind of condensation result in precipitation within the cities. He couldn¡¯t contain his delight and grinned as he climbed into the car.


    Bolt said, ¡°It should make for a wonderful evening, Prince Flicker.¡±


    Yes. This was much better than how the day had started.


    They arrived at the theater¡ªthe only theater in Winter¡¯s capital city¡ªto find a red carpet for cars arriving at the grand double doors. Axis almost considered rolling his eyes, but the snow had done much to improve his mood. He went with it, exiting the car with a regal elegance.


    People waved and whistled, crying out, ¡°The Prince! It¡¯s the Prince!¡±


    It was enough to make Axis blush and duck his eyes until a sudden silence blanketed the din. He turned to see his father¡¯s blacked out limousine pull up, and Axis recalled how many times he¡¯d seen the sight. And how many times he had ran and hid from it.


    He would sooner look forward to seeing a hearse.


    It took two servants to help Valve¡¯s heft out of the car, especially with him coughing the entire time. Once Axis saw the red stain at the corner of his father¡¯s mouth, he took a moment and stared.


    How much longer now?


    And how would Axis take his father¡¯s passing?


    As if Valve had heard his son¡¯s thoughts, he barked, ¡°Why do you look at me as if you¡¯ve seen a ghost, boy? I¡¯m right as rain.¡± When the two women, naked but for some strategically placed diamonds, followed Valve out of the car and onto his arm, Axis decided he was fine with the sow kicking the bucket.


    He turned and frowned the rest of the way inside.


    No mother.


    Axis¡¯ mother died in childbirth. There¡¯d been no one between him and his father for Axis¡¯ entire life aside from¡­


    ¡°Axis, would you like to stay with us another night?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mrs. Tempest. I¡¯d like that very much.¡±


    The visceral intensity of his sincere gratitude from the unbidden memory took Axis¡¯ breath away. As the playhouse employee swept Axis¡¯ coat off, he fought tears. Why had the universe seen fit to take Lya so soon and leave Valve on this Earth for so long?


    At least it had been kind enough to leave Dr. Tempest on Winter for Lexia. She needed her father, and if Axis were honest with himself, so did he.


    A little less moody, Axis approached the stairs to the Flicker¡¯s theater box. Yet, as he contemplated an entire evening near his father, Axis thought better of it and went into the first-floor crowd.


    Where to sit¡­


    Where to sit¡ª


    Someone flagged Axis down. It was Mrs. Tenz on the first row. The joyful middle-aged woman beamed as he made his way through the significant throng of people. Some brushed him places he¡¯d rather them not touch, but eventually he made his way through it mostly unmolested.


    ¡°Good evening, Mrs. Tenz.¡±


    ¡°Prince Axis, you look as though you need a place to sit?¡± Her warm grin was infectious, and Axis found himself returning the expression.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    Mrs. Tenz patted the modest wooden chair beside hers. On the other side, a young man kept peering at Axis.


    The People¡¯s Prince waved and said, ¡°Hello. You must be young Mr. Tenz.¡± He held out his hand.


    The young man blushed but shook it, anyway. ¡°Hello.¡± When Mrs. Tenz beamed further at the exchange, the son rolled his eyes. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re so embarrassing me.¡±


    She changed the subject as they took their seats. ¡°Count Snow was kind enough to send us some invitations for these remarkable seats. I¡¯m happy to have you as my plus one, Prince Axis.¡±


    It was his turn to blush when she looped her arm through his and winked.


    Snow and flirting.


    The evening was off to a pleasant start.


    Even as the unmistakable odor of his father¡¯s cigars¡ªSnow¡¯s finest¡ªmade its way down into the floor seats, Axis would not let it ruin the night.


    The next couple down the red carpet would.


    Gauge made his way from the entry doors into the theater of purple velvet curtains and copper ornamentation. With Tija on his arm. The blue-eyed brunette looked dazzling in a glittery champagne dress clinging to her, shifting from silver to gold. It matched Gauge¡¯s waistcoat and top hat. The rest of his tuxedo was white, including his cane and gloves. Tonight, his glasses were amber, complementing the glitz of the evening.


    Axis¡¯ mood soured with the entrance. He¡¯d thought of Tija as a friend, but now he was questioning her judgment. He could forgive her acting as double agent between Snow and Flicker because it was hard to elevate beyond factory hand without getting into some trouble. But dating Snow?


    As soon as Axis thought it, shame heated his face. There was nothing wrong with the woman trying to get ahead in the world, and whether or not she actually enjoyed the Count¡¯s company was really none of Axis¡¯ business.


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    What was happening to him?


    Stress.


    The factory¡¯s reputation was in jeopardy.


    Valve was trying to spoil his inheritance.


    And Axis had just overcome a major phobia by finally proposing to Lexia in public.


    It was stress.


    Mrs. Tenz patted his hand as if she¡¯d sensed his tension, and Axis appreciated the woman¡¯s maternal instincts. Especially as Gauge and Tija walked by with a smile for the Prince in the crowd. The two climbed a set of ornate circular stairs to one side of the stage and stood in the middle of it.


    Gauge said, ¡°Welcome one and all to the first annual Founding Play.¡±


    Of course he would make it annual.


    ¡°I bet you¡¯re asking yourselves, ¡®How can Count Snow lay the groundwork for a new city, sponsor a new play, and keep it all a secret reveal for the decennial Founding Season?¡¯ Well, you shouldn¡¯t be. I couldn¡¯t do it without the wonderful people of Winter, equally dedicated to progress and spectacle. Here I am giving a special thanks to all those involved in these wonderful projects and for their extreme loyalty to keeping my secrets.¡± He kissed Tija¡¯s cheek as if he was including her in those thanks. ¡°Now, I hope everyone enjoys¡­¡±


    Shuffling and whispering drew Axis¡¯ attention off the stage, and with a glance, he noticed everyone turning around to face the doors. Someone had just walked in and stolen the show.


    Axis grinned because he had an inkling who it might be. When he turned around, he was not disappointed.


    Lexia walked in wearing scarlet leather pants so soft they looked as though someone had poured silk over her long legs, a black corset-laced bustier, and a scarlet coat reaching her knees. She¡¯d pinned her white mass of wavy hair back at the temples with golden butterflies and wore Axis¡¯ timepiece on her wrist. Black lipstick gave her sweet lips a poisonous look, tempting Axis to taste them in front of all these people.


    Mrs. Tenz mused beside him, ¡°She¡¯s hard to compete with.¡±


    Lexia ruined the grand entrance by giving the crowd a wave with a dorky smile. ¡°Hello. Don¡¯t mind me. I¡¯m just on my way upstairs. Sorry.¡±


    Axis beamed, and she noticed him in the crowd with another silly wave.


    Beside her, Dr. Tempest looked proud as he escorted his daughter up to their theater box.


    Now it was time to see how Gauge had taken the interruption.


    Axis turned back to find the Count watching Lexia ascend with fascination and admiration open on his face. At first, it nearly riled Axis, but Lexia was beautiful and sweet. How could anyone not admire her? As long as Gauge kept it to himself, Axis wouldn¡¯t embarrass himself or upset his fiance by making a ridiculous scene. Even if it was obvious that both men would rather spend the play at Lexia¡¯s side.


    Tija tugged on her date, and Gauge cleared his throat to regain the audience¡¯s attention. ¡°Please enjoy a story you¡¯ve heard before but never like this.¡± The two disappeared behind the curtain, thoroughly upstaged.


    Axis glanced up at Lexia¡¯s box, and she waved down as if she¡¯d been waiting for him to do so.


    Oh, but how he loved her.


    The lights dimmed, the orchestra in the pit played a tinkering chime, and the play began with a child in a laboratory. An older man walked onto the stage, saying, ¡°Son, you should be in bed.¡±


    ¡°But father, I want to finish this sequence.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re four years old. What do you know of genome sequencing?¡±


    When the boy shifted, Axis could see a centrifuge on the table behind him. The boy said, ¡°I think I¡¯ve isolated what¡¯s wrong with mother.¡±


    The older man picked up the boy and stared down at his work, saying, ¡°Your mother is very sick, and you¡¯re too young to understand how any of this equipment works.¡±


    ¡°But father¡­¡±


    Father kissed son, but ignored his almost feverish insistence by tucking him back into bed.


    The curtain closed, and when it opened again, the scene had transitioned into a sight Axis knew well.


    A funeral.


    Gauge was only five when he¡¯d lost his mother.


    Axis supposed it was a loss he, Lexia, and Gauge shared in common.


    The play carried on, showing the little boy¡¯s interest in medicine increasing, and from there it grew into chemistry, physics, and astronomy. Meanwhile, it¡¯d seemed he¡¯d inherited his mother¡¯s illness.


    ¡°Little Bones?¡± The older man called as he walked onto set.


    The boy of six wore a labcoat tailor-fitted for him while he contemplated a mathematical equation on a whiteboard. He rolled his eyes at what apparently passed for a term of endearment. ¡°Don¡¯t interrupt me, father. I¡¯m on the verge of a breakthrough.¡±


    ¡°I thought you would like to meet a colleague of mine. He¡¯s an agricultural scientist with a background in herbal biology.¡±


    Gauge¡¯s child actor knew how to light up his eyes. They sparkled as he turned. ¡°Truly?¡±


    The father actor smiled, saying, ¡°Yes, son. But first, drink your tonic.¡±


    The boy made a face, and the audience laughed.


    Except Mrs. Tenz. She wiped away a tear which interested Axis. Were all mothers so compassionate? Lya had been¡­


    As Dr. Tempest¡¯s actor was introduced, the theater clapped. Some people cheered. He was well-loved, but it was the appearance of a fair-skinned young woman in a white wig which made the entire house stand in silence with their heads lowered.


    Axis went along with the audience, but he glanced up at Lexia. She was standing, and it was obvious she felt emotional at the tribute.


    Winter¡¯s Diamond.


    Lya¡¯s actress met Gauge¡¯s. ¡°Hello, little snow. Would you like to stay with the adults, or would you like to make some friends your own age?¡±


    The boy looked interested and followed her to a little girl with another white wig and a little boy with a burgundy one. Axis could remember meeting Gauge, and he¡¯d been much smaller than the boy on stage.


    ¡°Little Bones.¡±


    Something about the nickname bothered Axis. Why would a father taunt their ill child that way? Or perhaps Axis was projecting his own terrible childhood onto Gauge?


    No matter.


    A few scenes went on to cover one or two play dates before Gauge¡¯s dad discovered the Ignis crater when the boy was nine, and the play dates stopped. Now, the play made it appear there was causation and correlation between those events, but Axis remembered the truth.


    ¡°Get away from her, Gauge.¡± Axis pulled Lexia¡¯s face, yellow with tears, into his chest and held her. ¡°Don¡¯t come near us again.¡±


    Young Snow had never returned, choosing instead to return his focus onto his illness and the crater¡¯s resources.


    A twinge tightened Axis¡¯ chest, and he tried not to draw parallels between the present and the past. He glanced up at Gauge¡¯s theater box to see it hidden behind a screen and wondered if the Count recalled the moment as vividly.


    The play did not address whatever had sent Gauge¡¯s father into exile within the scientific community. Only that shortly after, he¡¯d lost his job, fell into a steep decline, and died, leaving Gauge an orphan at seventeen.


    In the next scene, they¡¯d replaced the teenage actor playing Gauge with a more robust one, staring through a telescope and marking down some calculations. Then he ran to a terminal¡ªsomething Axis hadn¡¯t seen in a decade¡ªand made some more calculations. The youth dropped his pen and ran to a phone, dialing in a hurry to say, ¡°I need to speak with Galactic Leader Yed. This is Gauge Snow, and don¡¯t waste time. This is an emergency.¡±


    A disembodied voice answered, listened to the emergency, and then laughed through the theater. ¡°A solar EMP our scientists have missed? Boy, you¡¯re as mad as your father.¡±


    Spurred, the young man assured, ¡°If you won¡¯t take action, I will.¡±


    Sets and actors moved across the stage in a montage of copper mining, smelting, and engineering. Steam pipes formed the functional foundation for the domes. Leon¡¯s actor introduced Gauge¡¯s actor to a rather fit man playing Axis¡¯ father.


    The actor playing Valve said, ¡°You really believe a pulse will take out our electronics, fail unprepared climate systems, and send our planet into an ice age? And you also buy into this Leon?¡±


    Dr. Tempest¡¯s actor nodded.


    The young man playing Gauge faced off with the bigger actor. ¡°I do, and I want to protect as many people as I can.¡±


    Together, the triumvirate as Winter knew it developed the glass domes, but only enough of them to cover three cities. In an unprecedented feat of ingenuity, they used the last of their time with electronics to fashion the tunnels for the trains connecting the cities. Meanwhile, each faction weaned their people off electronics.


    This made Axis wince. He could remember his father confiscating his phone, terminal, and projection screen as a teenager. But the old man hadn¡¯t cited a mechanized apocalypse. Instead, Valve said it was because Axis had misbehaved at Dr. Tempest¡¯s house so badly, Leon had demanded Valve do something about it. Fourteen at the time, Axis had cried thinking he¡¯d disappointed the one man who¡¯d been good to Axis his entire life. He¡¯d only learned after the world as they knew it had ended that Valve had lied.


    Lya had told Axis the truth.


    The woman playing her and the girl playing Lexia appeared now and then, but mostly as supportive ornamentation to sponsor Leon¡¯s motivation for preparing against the eventual doomsday. Axis could remember Valve did it solely for profit, but the play didn¡¯t touch on this. In fact, it gave the Flicker household a wide berth, leaving Axis curious if it was out of respect or out of details to go on.


    Either way, the day finally came.


    Electronics went offline, the Founding Families raised the domes, and Winter began.


    All thanks to Gauge.


    Axis wasn¡¯t sure what Gauge had left out, but he¡¯d always known the Founding story had never completely added up.


    Snow was hiding something.

 Copper & Snow 5.5 Righteous Deceit

    Standing ovation. The cast came out and gave a bow.


    From behind the screen around his theater box, Gauge helped Tija get her clothes on. Sometime after the scene about his mother¡¯s funeral, Tija had straddled him in the luxurious seat, and he¡¯d welcomed the distraction. He liked the warm scent of her, like cinnamon and lust. Her bright red lipstick was no doubt smeared across his face, and he used the reflection of her necklace to wipe it away. Gently, he used his thumbs to fix her melted eyeliner and combed his fingers through her fallen hair.


    ¡°You¡¯re so gorgeous, and I¡¯m lucky to have shared even a moment in your company.¡±


    Tija¡¯s smile was radiant with a hint of gratitude. There was even a girlish flush to her cheeks, and Gauge kissed her.


    Jan had melted into the shadows for their privacy, but Gauge could feel the butler¡¯s apprehension through the curtain. The old spy didn¡¯t enjoy leaving his charge alone. The Count only had to gesture with one finger, and Jan returned to the box as Gauge pulled back the screen. He stood at the balcony, and the cheering amplified into a roar.


    Yes, the people adored Gauge, but no one understood him. There was one among the blur of faces with their over-enthusiastic clapping who¡¯d given him hope.


    Across the way, Lexia¡¯s theater box was empty. Gauge had noticed her during every scene of the play, including during the emotional tribute to Lya Tempest. Her tears had moved him, as everyday Gauge walked on this Winter, he thought of his own mother¡¯s declining health and his impotence to stop it.


    But unlike Lexia, Gauge also thought of his seething hatred for his father, which festered like a canker in his mouth¡ª


    ¡°Gauge? Shall we go?¡±


    Ever the enticing distraction, Tija waited at the curtain, eager for the rest of their night to begin. Jan looked equally pleased with leaving the very public venue. Gauge gave a final wave to the people of Winter and followed his ¡®butler¡¯ through the curtain¡ª


    Running smack into Ms. Tempest.


    While Gauge blinked at the unexpected intrusion, Lexia waved to Tija, saying, ¡°That¡¯s a magnificent dress. You two make a stunning couple. Hello, Jan.¡± She also waved to the old spy, who¡­


    Was Jan blushing?


    He nodded back, and Gauge finally found his tongue. ¡°Thank you for the kind words, Ms. Tempest. I hope the evening was to your liking.¡± When he held his arm out to Tija, clearly dismissing the younger woman, they all peered at him as if he¡¯d sprouted a second head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are Gauge, savior or monster, but never meddle in my affairs again. Stay away from Lexia.¡±


    It hurt Gauge to be rude to anyone, let alone a young woman whose company he enjoyed immensely, but Axis had been clear. There was little choice in the matter. Tija took his arm, and Jan, who clearly disapproved of the rudeness judging by the scowling frown on his face, followed Gauge down the stairs.


    Lexia, however, was hard to spurn. ¡°It was a beautiful play. I¡¯d never fully appreciate how young you were or how lonely.¡±


    Gauge stopped.


    Froze to the spot.


    Lonely.


    Yes, that¡¯s what he was.


    ¡°There you are, child. Hello, Count Snow. I see my daughter came to wish you a good evening.¡± Dr. Tempest looked ruffled enough to better Gauge¡¯s humor, and he smiled.


    ¡°Hello, doctor. Yes, Ms. Tempest, you are so kind.¡±


    Gauge wasn¡¯t sure what he¡¯d meant to start when he met her eyes and emphasized ¡®kind,¡¯ but he certainly triggered a marvelous chain of events.


    Lexia said, ¡°I would like to discuss those unions with you. Tomorrow.¡±


    Tomorrow.


    ¡°Tomorrow?¡± Someone repeated sharply.


    Axis.


    He was waiting at the bottom of the stairs with Mrs. Tenz and her son.


    Lexia, ethereal in her radiance, beamed. ¡°The Count and I are meeting tomorrow to brainstorm some standardizations for the unions forming within the crops and mines.¡±


    Mrs. Tenz clapped her hands and said, ¡°That¡¯s brilliant. It would give us a place to start.¡±


    Tija said, ¡°Honestly, we could use those in the factories. It would help keep situations like Walker from repeating.¡±


    There was an olive branch here Gauge could extend, and there was a mischievous sparkle in Lexia¡¯s black eyes as if she¡¯d realized it at the same time. Gauge turned to Axis and tried not to falter at the hardness in the green glass of his eyes as he said, ¡°Now there¡¯s a fine idea. Prince Flicker, would you care to join us?¡± He¡¯d resisted the urge to call him ¡®Master.¡¯ No, teasing Axis was only appropriate when Gauge didn¡¯t want something from him.


    ¡°Mrs. Tempest, why doesn¡¯t Axis like me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not that he doesn¡¯t, little Snow. It¡¯s that he wants Lexia¡¯s attention all to himself. He¡¯s a little boy, younger than you, and he needs more practice in sharing.¡±


    Please, share her, Axis¡­


    But the young Prince shook his head. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to intrude. I¡¯ll send my thoughts along with the usual quarterly proposals.¡±


    Mrs. Tenz, Tija, and Lexia shared the same disappointed pout.


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    It was rather remarkable really.


    Dr. Tempest popped the bubble by saying, ¡°Lexia, would you like to walk Axis home in the snow?¡±


    The prospect perked her up enough to smile again, although it was half as gorgeous as the beam from earlier. ¡°Of course.¡± She kissed Leon¡¯s cheek before taking Axis¡¯ free arm. Flicker nodded good night before escorting Mrs. Tenz and his fiance out of the theater.


    Gauge¡¯s spine hurt, and Jan sensed it.


    The old spy indicated the exit. ¡°Sir?¡±


    Tija reasserted herself on Gauge¡¯s arm, and they made to leave when Dr. Tempest spoke up.


    ¡°Actually, Master Flicker and I would like a word with Count Snow. Can we speak in the conference room?¡±


    Every major venue in the capital city sported at least one conference room because these impromptu meetings always happened when the Founding Families shared a venue. It was almost enough to make Gauge roll his eyes. The pain had made him grumpy.


    He kissed Tija¡¯s temple and whispered in her ear, ¡°Go back with Jan to the Cathedral where you¡¯ll be safe. I¡¯ll follow shortly.¡±


    She left with her eyes lingering on Gauge.


    Dr. Tempest took off his glasses to clean them, saying, ¡°That was wise. I don¡¯t believe Valve is happy with her right now. Or with you, for that matter.¡±


    ¡°Bite me, Leon.¡± Gauge turned and walked into the conference room ready to get this over with. His cane clamored when he threw it on the table, and he let it. After tossing his top hat beside it, he rubbed a white gloved hand over his black braids and growled into a sigh. ¡°This is ridiculous.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Valve walked into the room with more noise from his coughing than Gauge had just made. ¡°Your sense of ¡®justice¡¯ is ridiculous.¡± He cut off one end of a cigar as he took a seat at the far end of the table.


    Gauge said, ¡°Don¡¯t smoke that in here,¡± knowing full well the man would do the opposite.


    The flame of Valve¡¯s embossed lighter illuminated his fat cheeks in a most unflattering way before he puffed on the cigar and floated a ring into the air. Master Flicker said, ¡°If I haven¡¯t thanked you recently, I will again. These cigars are your¡­ finest¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t finish the sentence for all the coughing.


    Gauge smirked. ¡°I¡¯m glad to see they¡¯re doing your health some good old man. You¡¯ve got color to your cheeks.¡± And a red stain on his mouth.


    Dr. Tempest cut the air. ¡°I think that¡¯s enough of the prerequisite banter. May we proceed?¡±


    ¡°Sure. Why the hell are we meeting?¡± Again, Gauge was grumpy. He couldn¡¯t sit for the painful contortion sensation in his spine, but he could barely stand any longer for the ache in his legs. The match with Axis earlier had cost him dearly. With both hands planted on the tabletop, he leaned forward less for dramatic effect and more for the support.


    Physical therapy.


    Gauge needed to perform it more regularly starting tomorrow.


    Dr. Tempest seemed to notice and took pity by cutting to the chase. ¡°Valve is upset you killed one of his foremen without discussing it with anyone, and I¡¯m concerned about you spending time with my daughter.¡±


    Very to the chase. That was probably the most direct the doctor had ever been, and it raised Gauge¡¯s brows over his glasses.


    Valve finally stopped coughing enough to say, ¡°What he said. Although spend all the time you like with young Ms. Tempest. It¡¯s driving my son crazy.¡±


    Leon¡¯s head snapped around and glared at the hefty man.


    Gauge hung his head and sighed.


    This was stupid.


    ¡°I¡¯ll remind both of you once that Winter is mine. And that includes every citizen under these domes¡ª¡± Gauge held up a finger to stave Tempest from arguing. ¡°I have the utmost respect for your daughter, and I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you Master Flicker, but I also respect her engagement to Axis as unfortunate as it is for me. We¡¯ll discuss the reasons they can¡¯t marry at the pre-engagement screening which,¡± he pointed at Valve to say, ¡°your son and your prot¨¦g¨¦,¡± he pointed at Tempest, ¡°skipped entirely without respect to me. Both of you knew he¡¯d intended to propose, and both of you kept me in the dark. So I¡¯d say the first slight goes to me.¡±


    Dr. Tempest stared for a long moment of silence before giving a curt nod.


    Valve waved his cigar, the smoke trail forming a white flag, conceding.


    Gauge swiped a hand down his face before disguising his collapse in the chair as a graceful plop. ¡°Secondly, Walker committed the act of sexual assault, condemning himself to a coppery death. Those are the laws, and if you weren¡¯t encouraging such ugly behavior, Valve, I wouldn¡¯t have been forced to kill him.¡±


    ¡°Ah. But there was another factor in his demise, was there not?¡± Somehow Valve got all of that out without a cough and while sounding sly and knowing. Then he coughed up a storm.


    Gauge hoped he wasn¡¯t following the man¡¯s meaning, but¡­


    Dr. Tempest filled in the blanks. ¡°Tija. She is complicit in his death by entrapping him. She is almost as guilty of the crime as Walker was.¡±


    Gauge¡¯s mouth fell open. He couldn¡¯t begin to comprehend his own incredulity¡ªhis own disgust. How could they even equate the two?!


    And what would Lexia think of her father¡¯s pronouncement?


    Almost as if Leon knew the direction of Gauge¡¯s thoughts, he held up his hands, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t necessarily agree with Valve, but since the man can¡¯t stop coughing, I thought I¡¯d finish his trail of thought.¡±


    Necessarily.


    When Valve took his handkerchief from his face, blood was smeared across his mouth. He pointed at Gauge and vehemently argued, ¡°You know I¡¯m right, Snow. That viper deserves to be in the wall right next to her victim.¡±


    Gauge had had enough. He straightened despite the pain, took off his glasses, and glared at the man across the table. The room went quiet, and Gauge fought to maintain the eye contact even as the soft candlelight pierced through his corneas. He said, ¡°Entrapment is not the same as attempted rape. At most, my employee has deserved exile from the capital. At most.¡±


    Damn this penetrating halo.


    Gauge¡¯s icy tone lost some of its effect as he hid his eyes once more behind the amber lenses.


    Leon rapped his knuckles on the table. ¡°Here, here. We have it then. You¡¯ll exile her from the city tonight.¡±


    Gauge wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°But¡­ Neither of you have evidence of entrapment.¡±


    Valve gargled in fury.


    Leon pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. He said, ¡°The entire city knows.¡±


    The old Factory Master croaked, ¡°Exile her tonight.¡±


    ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± Gauge asked it quietly, softly. Almost not loud enough for them to hear.


    But both men heard, and they blinked at him. Even Valve¡¯s errant lungs gave the moment its due silence.


    In truth, the accords mattered very little between the three men. This so called ¡®balance of power¡¯ was only an illusion to keep up appearances for the sake of public opinion. At the core¡ªat the heart¡ªthese men owed everything to Gauge. And not often, but on occasion, they forced him to remind them of it.


    Gauge¡¯s mind, body, and soul ached and longed for bed. ¡°Gentlemen, if you don¡¯t wish your dirty laundry aired to a people perfectly content with tearing you apart, limb from limb, then don¡¯t make demands of me. You¡¯ve soured my evening, and now the only salve for it, Tija, is your new mark. For her own safety, I will sequester her off where she¡¯ll stay out of trouble. Are we in agreement?¡±


    Leon nodded. ¡°I think that¡¯s best for her.¡± He flicked a quick glance at Valve regarding her safety.


    The Factory Master also nodded into his handkerchief, once again at a loss for breath.


    Gauge put on his top hat and grabbed his cane with a curse. ¡°All this for a fucking rapist.¡±


    Outside, the snow came down heavily. Heavier than Winter had seen since Lya¡¯s funeral. Gauge wondered how Lexia was faring with the memory and hoped she was too busy enjoying herself with Axis to notice.


    Tija greeted Gauge naked in his conservatory, both improving and further exhausting his evening. He was almost in too much pain to enjoy the surprise. Not to mention, he didn¡¯t feel right accepting her pleasurable offerings without first telling her the bad news.


    ¡°Exile?¡± Tija breathed, grasping her throat.


    Gauge took her hand down and kissed it, saying, ¡°I think we can hide you as an employee in my mines, if you would prefer that instead. But you would need to dye your hair or wear tinted glasses¡ªSomething to hide your distinct beauty.¡±


    Which was impossible. Her cheekbones alone were a giveaway.


    Never mind, it would make for a miserable life¡ªhiding in seclusion and dodging bounty hunters.


    Tija must¡¯ve shared Gauge¡¯s thoughts because she shook her head, swallowed, and held her chin high. ¡°I can move to another city and find my way.¡±


    Brave girl.


    Gauge pulled her into an embrace, and when Tija sniffled, he vowed to spit on Valve¡¯s grave.