Leanna began pacing. “I don’t think you see the bigger picture. Do you really want the help to see your possible betrothed in a compromised position? Wouldn’t you rather have a proper woman who seamlessly blends in and falls in line? Someone who doesn’t snap at your sister with retorts?”
I walked by my chair and to the window, looking past the garden and to the distant sea. The white-capped waves were more captivating than concerning myself with the opinions of others. My mother followed the rules, and it only led her to a life of misery. If people were going to judge Audryn for enjoying time with me, who cared? I would be the fucking king.
“You have two wonderful women who could be your perfect match.” Leanna placed a hand on my shoulder. “I think you’re failing to see those in front of you. Instead, you’re focusing your attention on someone who didn’t even want to be here—probably still doesn’t want to be here. Do you not receive enough rejection from our father?”
I turned to face my sister. “Give her a chance. There’s something about her that’s different ... interesting even. And I’m not willing to give that up just yet.”
The door opened, and a guard pressed in. “Your Highness, please excuse the interruption. King Grave and his sister have arrived, as well as their two wyverns.”
I scowled at the thought of their filthy creatures. “Did Grave request any specific accommodations for his beasts?”
“He said they would stay on the cliffs, but requested grazing access for the duration of their stay.”
I waved a hand. “Permitted.” As long as I didn’t have to see the creatures, they could feed wherever. If the people of Rivale caught sight of the wyverns, they might think we were being invaded by witches; though they wouldn’t be too far off given Grave and his sister were here.
The guard closed the door, providing privacy for my sister and me once more. Her holding court in my absence was a pressing issue, but I needed to focus on her problem with Audryn first. Without Leanna’s support, Audryn wouldn’t last long. Even if she became my betrothed, my sister would make her life miserable every step of the way.
“I’m sure it’s difficult for her. The others had time to fall into the rhythm of life around here. Audryn arrived late.” I grabbed Leanna’s hand and turned to face her. “Please help her adjust? Do this for me?”
Leanna let out a long exhale and squeezed my hand. Her eyes softened. “I will forever assist you in getting everything you deserve, Brother.”
15
AUDRYN
Hours crept by as I scoured the bathing room and bedroom for my mother’s necklace. While I was out, castle staff cleaned the room and must have misplaced it. I searched everywhere—opened every drawer, emptied the wardrobe, even tore the thick blanket from the bed. Without this last connection to my mother, my grief was a dark abyss, and I was slipping in.
Guard Roark had come to my room and advised of dinner service, but I feigned illness to continue the search. I’d rather remain hungry than go a minute longer without the chain hugging my neck.
I needed to clear my head, but risked running into Ryder or the other women if I roamed the corridors. Carefully, I hooked one thigh on the windowsill and slid out into the cool night air. It was a small mercy to be housed on the ground floor of the building, granting me an easy route outside.
The sound of boots in the gravel alerted me to the oncoming guards, so I threw myself against the wall to hide among the shadows. I wasn’t told I couldn’t leave, but I also hadn’t been told I could. And I didn’t want to give Leanna any moreammunition in the well of hate she already held for me. Without her favor, I’d be sent home before I could access the royal library or her father.
“Did you hear about Jones?” a male voice spoke. “The stone fell out of nowhere. Nearly fell down from the damned sky itself.”
“Indeed,” a female responded. “If the prince doesn’t fix this place, we’ll all return to the land sooner than we’d like.”
Moments passed as the guards walked down the path side by side, moving away from my hiding spot. If they knew I was there, they hadn’t let on. Their shadows faded, dark uniforms blending in with the night sky.
A salty, coastal breeze brushed past my nose, and I took a deep breath, letting my senses sing with the gust. Crashing waves echoed in my ears and I smiled. My home wasn’t close enough to the beach to hear the rumbling waves. The coast bordered nearly the entire kingdom, but I had found little free time to enjoy the privilege of it. Only a few times a year had I trekked to the beach and let my toes dig into the white sandy shores while the water lapped onto my ankles.
I pushed off the wall and looked both ways, ensuring the path was vacant. Still wearing my pants and top from earlier in the day, I would easily blend in with castle staff. From a distance, I’d appear as only a guard out on patrol in the evening hours.
Following the path to the rear of the castle, I found myself next to the pond surrounded by the oddly blue roses. I dropped to the ground and sank my fingers into the soil, letting the granules flow through the webbing of my hands. The texture was more akin to gritty sand, and the hum of life I was so familiar with felt too distant to reach. Even under the pale moon, the color wasn’t as rich as it should have been. Moisture and nutrients were ripped from the land itself.
I dug my fingers in deep, pouring a small trickle of magicinto the earth, barely enough for it to send a buzz through the air. The sour scent of the bush pushed out toward me, but the land refused to give in to my magic. Carefully, I took in my surroundings before removing my boots and pressing my feet into the earth, letting the tainted dirt spill over the top of each foot.
Connecting my body to the land was necessary to wield my magic thoroughly. Moisture returned, and life vibrated through the brown grains of dirt. I closed my eyes and sprouted a single pink peony under the bush to encourage the winged pollinators to return to the vacant area. With time, hopefully earthworms, beetles, and ladybugs would take up residence and mend the ground. It wasn’t much, but perhaps I could spend the rest of my nights at the castle bringing new growth to the lands.
A throat cleared behind me, and I froze, quietly wishing I could disappear if I stayed still long enough. I drew in a deep breath before I stood, bracing for the wrath of either Ryder or King Sutton. But when I turned, I met an unfamiliar face.
A male stood tall, dressed in all black with shimmering silver thread adorning his trousers and shirt. His almond eyes narrowed not at me, but at the single pink flower that stood out in the sea of blue. My breath lodged deep in my throat. It was foolish to practice magic anywhere, but to do so on castle grounds guaranteed my execution. At least I’d get to see my mother and Kamden.
“Are you responsible for this?” the man asked, his gaze traveling from the flower, up my body and resting on my face. His demeanor remained unreadable.
I crossed my arms around myself, suddenly wishing I’d worn something nicer to meet a stranger. Side-stepping to the left, I partially covered the glaring proof of my mistake. “I’m not sure I understand your question.” Grabbing my boots, I slipped my feet inside and quickly stood. “I don’t know what you think you saw. I was only out for a walk.”
“Barefoot?” He raised an eyebrow.
