Why wouldn’t I?
Char will always protect me. He will always keep me safe. I know that, deep in my soul, I do, and that has to mean something.
I force myself to keep reading.
My father received a letter written by the prince, clearing your name and stating that you will remain at the palace until trial day.
Is that where you are? At the palace with the prince? I can’t imagine what that must be like or what you’re going through.
Is he as awful as we believed him to be? Or worse?
Please continue to write.
Char
Folding his letter, I give myself time to ponder his words.Is he as awful as we believed him to be?I want to say yes, but then I’d be lying because Ryjax is nothing like we believed him to be.
Is he infuriating? Absolutely.
Does he seem to lack human emotion? Yes, again.
But then, he looks at me like he believes in me, in what he thinks I can do, and suddenly, I don’t find him as infuriating anymore.
But he’s still a royal.
Still the prince.
And everything about this world we live in isn’t right, isn’t fair.
But even so, I don’t find him horrible.
I craft a quick letter back, telling Char there’s no need for him to grovel and restating that I am in fact safe and well cared for within the palace walls.
I tell him about the hot showers, the comfy bed, and the sweet berries from the garden that I’ll never get to see. I tell him that I’m learning to wield the flames, that I’m determined to grow stronger, to become someone worthy of the power I’ve been gifted.
But I don’t mention anything about the kiss, and I don’t tell him anything about the prince. He wouldn’t like the truth.
He wouldn’t like to hear that Prince Ryjax is not exactly heartless. That even though Prince Ryjax seems devoid offeelings, he’s been the one helping me learn how to strengthen my bond with the flames.
I fold the paper in half and tuck it in one of the drawers of the desk. I’ll give it to Jax tonight when I see him.
“Serafina.”
It’s as if I summoned him, and for some reason, I find myself smiling at his sudden presence.
Because you’re lonely, Serafina.I tell myself because it’s true. I am lonely.
I open the door.
“The sun is still out,” I tell him with a slight smirk.
Ryjax leans against the frame, his head hitting the wood. His eyes scan my face, and he looks distraught, displeased, like something happened, but then a smile twitches his lips. But as usual, it doesn’t fully form.
“Is that so?”
“I suppose it’s a guess, considering I can’t exactly see the sun from in here, but yes, I believe it is so. Which means I wasn’t expecting you for another few hours.” I raise a brow, and his face completely changes, all signs of whatever had him looking so troubled gone.
“I can go?” He raises his hand, thumb motioning toward the empty corridor behind him, and my eyes widen.
