“The healer is asking for you. I need you to come with me.”
My face scrunches in confusion, but I nod and follow, quickly saying goodbye to my friends before following Trysten. He doesn’t spare a glance or provide any further explanation, leading me down the worn stone steps into the team area. The hallway branches out in front of us: the right leads to the locker rooms and the left toward the arena.
As I follow Trysten through the door into the team box, I’m greeted by a sight that makes my heart sink. Several Drithm team members are strewn about the private room, each nursing various injuries. A few faces are twisted in pain. Trysten disappears into a small door at the far side of the room, and I hesitate, feeling like an intruder.
“Princess Raea,” the elderly healer greets me. He’s the best the school has to offer, possibly the best on the whole planet. Cole lies unconscious on the table, his face pale but free of blood, a bandage wrapped around his head looking like it could rip open at any moment. Anders stands on the opposite side, deep in conversation with someone on his Prism. Another healer stands near Cole’s head, monitoring the wound with a wand that displays the thickness of the tissue and swelling on her tablet.
This might be the first time I’ve ever seen Anders rattled; his usual calm composure has shattered. He’s always so strong, collected, and…arrogant. None of those words fit the description of the man pacing in front of me, running a hand through his matted, wet hair, covered in mud, with panic-stricken eyes that seem to swirl with silver. When his gaze meets mine, a cloud of light surrounds me, and I find myself attempting to shrink into the shadows.
“I was wondering if you could call your mother?” the healer asks, grabbing my attention.
“My mother?” I’m unsure if I heard him correctly.
“Yes,” the healer confirms. “She has a rare plant in her garden that only grows on Kyrr. Our stores have been depleted, and, well, it mightbe the only thing that helps Cole regain consciousness. He hit his head at just the right angle, and his brain is swelling. The plant is known for reducing swelling and mending serious injuries.” He continues, letting me know Cole isn’t stable enough to be moved to the main Healer’s Center, so she’ll need to bring it here.
A wave of nausea slams into my stomach as the reality of the situation sinks in. I don’t ask what happens if he doesn’t wake. I had no idea he hit his head that hard. I’d been too focused on the fact that he disappeared into the water.
Swallowing hard, I nod and pull out my Prism with shaky hands. The room is already cramped, and with the four extra bodies, there’s no such thing as privacy. I make myself as small as possible in the corner as I call my mother. Thanks to recent advancements in satellite links, the call connects in just a few rings.
“Mother, we need your help.”
Getting a royal visit to the academy is rare. Getting two royal visits on the same day is unheard of. I make my way over to the Administration Building, where my parents’ transport is set to land any minute now, with my mother and the plant in tow. Queen Priana is also expected to land within the hour.
I stand off to the side of the launch pad as our transport enters Baedyn’s atmosphere. The air around me charges with an energy I’ve come to know as Anders. I turn to see him stalking toward me, still covered in blood, sweat, and a thick layer of mud from the game. His cheek and eye are healed, and I can’t seem to find any lingering injuries. Despite it all, he looks handsome, just a bit more rugged than the polished prince I’m used to seeing.
“Hey,” I manage to say, a little breathless. “I thought you were staying with Cole?”
He steps closer, towering over me. I catch his gaze and notice the swirling in his eyes has started again. For a fleeting moment, fearflickers across his features before being masked behind a stoic expression. I don’t know why it bugs me so much that he’s unwilling to be open with me.
“I’ll be bringing the plant back. I need to get it to the healers as soon as possible. The longer the swelling persists, the more damage he’ll suffer.” My heart sinks. They’ve had enough heartache in their family. I reach out, wrapping my hand around his forearm, wanting to comfort him. The moment our skin touches, a spark of energy surges between us, leaving me breathless. It was an unconscious move, driven by instinct rather than intention. I find myself leaning into him as my body adjusts to his. The well within me fills as my soul settles, and feelings of rightness and longing flood the space between us.
I gasp when Anders’ hand wraps around my hip, molding perfectly and tugging me closer until our bodies are nearly flush. My body instantly heats. I know Anders can tell because he flips his hand to my head, checking my temperature before dismissing it.
“I’m sorry,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper as I wrestle to suppress my emotions. “For your brother.” He nods solemnly, his other hand brushing down my arm, igniting a flurry of goosebumps across my body.
“You’re hot,” he states. Not a question. It’s my turn to nod in response. He looks like he’s about to pull me closer, but then glances down at his muddy uniform and my gown, and clearly thinks better of it. I’m reluctant to admit that I wouldn’t have fought him, even if it destroyed my outfit.
The muffled roar of thrusters catches my attention as the transport begins its descent. I withdraw my hand from his arm, tucking it awkwardly against my side. His brow furrows slightly, and then he releases me, stepping back as if to give me space. I hold his gaze a moment longer, hoping to convey the confusing mix of emotions, but Anders shifts his gaze to the transport.
My parents’ transport descends, a sleek, flattened disc of shimmering forest green, its central shaft equipped with subtly recessed weapons. Multiple smaller thrusters glow with a warm amber, giving the vessel a powerful, yet controlled presence. The disc-shaped mainbody features a subtle upward curve in the center, crafted from an advanced composite alloy that gleams, subtly shifting in hue from deep emerald in shadow to brighter green in direct light.
The Treon royal crest is elegantly etched onto its surface. Multiple, smaller, highly articulate thrusters positioned symmetrically around the disc's rim, provide fine maneuverability, rapid acceleration, and quick braking. The weapons, usually housed within flush-mounted bays along the underside shaft, remain unseen.
As the large vessel settles into its hover, back ramps unfold with a low hiss, and illuminated steps stretch to the ground.
A cadre of my mother’s guards takes positions around the transport as she descends. My emotions drown me, and my composure shatters as soon as I see her carrying the plant.
Without a second thought, I take off running across the launch pad until I crash into her, wrapping my arms around her tightly. “Oh, Raea, my darling,” she responds, her free arm holding me close. The familiar floral scent of my mother envelops me, calming my frayed nerves. Pulling away, I can feel my tears flowing down my face. I didn’t realize until now how much I’ve missed her and how difficult this school year has been, taking a toll on my emotional state.
“Queen Amaya,” Anders interjects. I turn in time to see him bow. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to run this ahead to the healers.”
“Of course,” my mother replies. She passes the plant to him, and without a second thought, he races back to his brother.
The hissing of the ramp closing behind us fills the air as I walk arm-in-arm with my mother, leading her toward the arena. She’s dressed in a stunning layered gown of soft creams and delicate pinks, her chestnut brown hair pinned up and woven with ribbons. Our family crest glints around her neck, and a simple, yet regal, crown is nestled atop her head—ever the picture-perfect queen.
My mother must sense my emotions because she kisses the top of my head and says, “Let’s walk and talk, my dear. Tell me everything.”
I fall into bed both exhausted and wired. I excused myself from the healing center once Cole was moved. I left my mother with Anders while Trysten walked me back to the dorms. Queen Priana was landing when we left, and Cole was awake and talking. I offered to bring clean clothes back for Anders, but Trysten stepped in and said he’d do it so I could rest.
