I stare out at the pristine blue, appreciating the calmness of this city once again as I reach down and skim a hand along the water.
“I have a room in Castle Bardot.”
“And do you enjoy living in Knowledge and Bardot?” he asks.
“More than anything,” I nod with a smile, thinking of the green of the Bell Grove and the white of the Queen’s rose gardens. My thoughts roam to the Willow and its large branches falling over the Basset Fields, sad that I didn’t get to visit it when I was back home. I envision the Grand Entry with its beautiful oak greeting everyone who arrives at the capitol… the mountain behind the castle with its magical moving staircase that leads those visitors up to the lively Palisades above.
“There’s a café in the Southern Palisades that overlooks the park there,” I think of Sera’s sweeping veranda with a smile, “the best cinnamon bread I’ve ever had. Don’t tell Chef I said that.”
“I know the one,” Keane nods.
“You grew up in Knowledge,” I smile in acknowledgement.
“I did,” he replies without emotion.
“Is that disdain I hear in your voice, Your Highness?” I tease.
The Prince’s eyes narrow on the lake.
“Yes.”
Ancients.
I open my mouth to ask him more, but the brief hint of sunlight over the horizon reminds me I have places to be.
“I need to get going…” I sigh, walking towards Millie, “thank you for the company, Your Highness.”
The Prince stares back at me in cool, Discerni indifference, watching as I urge Millie into a quick gallop without another word.
“You look like shit,” Cal greets as I ride into the clearing on the other side of the lake. We’ve used this spot to train in the past, though I’m surprised to see him here before me.
“I’m sure I do,” I laugh.
“I’m sorry, that was rude of me,” he frowns in small concern, “you look like you haven’t had a moment of sleep. Is everything okay?”
I swiftly dismount and take Golem’s jar out of my bag, unscrewing the lid before placing it on top of a large rock. Golem’s padded footsteps are heard almost instantly, the magical creature appearing from behind a large tree with his hands folded in front of his chest.
“You deserted me, Golem,” I greet him accusingly.
Golem nods with the hint of a smile playing at his lips.
“Not funny,” I cross my own arms over my chest, “I had no intention of having any company this morning but your own.”
One of his shoulders lifts in the tiniest of shrugs.
“Do I even want to know?” Cal asks, eyes flicking from Golem and back to me.
“The Prince is here,” I turn to him, “in Agnor.”
He nods, unsurprised by the news. “I thought I saw another royal steed in the stables.”
“And they’re watching us, Cal,” I continue, “or at least, Desmond and Alanna are.”
“Not surprising either, though I think we’ll keep these meetings secret for the time being.”
“How does that not bother you?” I throw up my hands in frustration.
“Because I don’t see why it should?” he shrugs, “what we do for the King isn’t widely known, Alex, but it’s also not a secret. I’m sure His Highness will put his brother to the task of looking more thoroughly into us if he hasn’t already. He’ll find that we’ve been visiting libraries that host mystical knowledge and thatyouare allowed in. He’ll be shocked for a bit and will probably inquire with his father on how he was able to lift the Old World rule for you, and that’s it. There’s nothing more to it. What you do within those buildings is between you and the King, no one else.”
