‘Servants,’ she said flatly. ‘The Visya were never meant to be such – we serve the gods.’
The Visya in Tala sought to uphold their sacred duty. It was an honor.
Aidon frowned, his head tilting as he regarded her. ‘I only meant we don’t believe the Visya’s purpose is so … prescribed.’
‘Sorry to interrupt, Your Highness.’ A woman appeared at Aidon’s shoulder, her green livery marking her as an attendant of his court. But it was Will she looked at as he continued to survey the wreckage with a frown.
‘Councilor Lavigne wishes to see you, Prince. He was informed of your arrival and wishes to discuss the recent tariffs prior to tomorrow’s meeting.’
Will swore under his breath. ‘Can it wait?’
‘I’m afraid not. Avis was quite insistent.’
‘I’ll be there in a moment,’ Will replied tersely. The woman bowed and took her leave.
Aya frowned as she surveyed Will. ‘Council business already?’
A muscle in his jaw flickered. ‘Unfortunately.’
‘I’d be happy to continue the tour,’ Aidon interjected.‘Now that we’re done shopping, there’s another spot I’d love to show you.’
She should go with him; it would be rude to decline. Yet she was more than curious about Will slithering off just as they’d arrived.
One of Aidon’s guards cleared his throat and stepped forward, his face nervous as he glanced between Aya and Aidon. ‘We’ll accompany you, Your Highness.’
Aya bit back a grin, but Will didn’t bother to hide his laugh. ‘Do they always follow you around like dogs, Aidon?’
Aidon’s answering smile was tight. ‘Only doing their job, Prince. But I’m perfectly capable of defending myself. If memory serves me, you’ve had the black eye to prove it.’
Will merely shrugged. ‘Whenever you’d like a rematch, Your Highness, you know where to find me.’
Aya stepped to Aidon’s side and took his outstretched arm. ‘I’ll see you later,’ she said pointedly to Will. She didn’t bother to wait for his response as she let Aidon pull her away from the wreckage.
‘Forgive me if I misspoke back there,’ Aidon said as he led them out of the plaza. ‘I meant no offense.’
Aya’s shoulders lifted. She knew how other kingdoms mocked Tala’s ways. She’d heard enough tradespeople remark on how outdated their beliefs were. ‘Don’t think twice about it,’ she assured him. ‘But tell me … was it your plan all along to get me out on my own?’
Aidon chuckled, the sound reverberating through her as he steered them down a narrow side street. ‘As much as I’d love to take credit for the interruption, I can’t. Though I won’t deny being glad for it. I find youfarless pretentious than William.’
‘How long have you known each other?’
‘Seven years.’ A couple squeezed past them, and Aidon nodded his hello. They were the only other people on the street, which began to steepen as they made their way further into the cliffs on the outskirts of the city. ‘We met when we were sixteen. His father brought him along on a Council visit. Will thought me the spoiled son of the head of the Council, I thought him the cocky son of a man whose only motivation in trade is one born of greed.’
It spoke volumes, she supposed, that in a kingdom of such wealth and prosperity, Gale’s greed was discernible.
‘We both skipped the Council dinner that night and got rip-roaring drunk at one of the taverns in town. Our fathers were furious. It was the first time I realized that perhaps we had more in common than I thought.’
‘A tendency to make poor decisions?’
‘That, and very complicated relationships with our fathers.’
Will had mentioned Aidon’s tension with Dominic, but had said nothing of the strain with Enzo. She tucked the information away, unwilling to press too hard too soon. As for Will … she’d never considered his relationship with Gale. They always seemed to get along fine, but then again, she never saw them together outside of Council affairs.
‘So where does the black eye fit in?’
‘Ah.That. That was two years later. I invited him to train with me and my forces. We got it into our heads that we should spar and, well, let’s just say we were both young and hot-headed and gloriously foolish.’
‘And now?’
