The scent of earth and florals filled the air while magic hummed from the life thriving around us. My body was made to remain close to the land; it was something I’d discovered at an early age. I was sluggish on the days I spent indoors without time outside. Only when I stood barefoot in the soil was I revitalized and filled with the vibrations of the magic surrounding me.
“Ryder,” I said, turning to face him, “I’d like to visit my father today. It’s been more than a week since I’ve spoken with him or my friends.” My voice trailed off as irritation marked his face. We hadn’t seen each other in quite some time, but the last time we had, I’d felt a spark of connection forming between the two of us.
“You must address him by title,” Leanna whispered as she leaned in. Her tone was softer than I had grown used to. “Especially in the presence of another royal. It’s one thing to speak hisname privately, but quite different when you’re with others.” She’d become helpful recently, though she might’ve been doing it begrudgingly; either way, I’d accepted her guidance.
My vision shot up to Grave and Amalee who remained quiet, but watchful. Damn, Ryder hadn’t given me that piece of information when he told me to call him by his first name.
“Apologies, Prince Sutton.” I averted my eyes and stared down at the empty dish, attempting to provide the same reverence I’d give him if I were standing.
“Unfortunately, I’m entirely too busy to take you as we originally planned,” Ryder replied coolly. “However, I’ll consider it next week.”
“I can go on my own,” I offered. “I don’t need you to?—”
Ryder narrowed his eyes and silently warned that I had somehow managed to misstep again. Grave drew in a deep breath, but I didn’t dare look to see the disapproval waiting on his face too.
The doors opened, and Maris exited, pink dress flowing and her hair elegantly curled. It wasn’t her beauty that took me by surprise, but the bouquet of yellow flowers she held in her hands, flowers I’d not seen since my childhood. I racked my mind trying to recall why mental warning bells were sounding.
“Good morning.” Maris grinned and sashayed to the table, taking up the vacant chair next to Leanna. “Apologies for my late arrival, Prince Sutton.” She was always so graceful and proper; it was infuriating.
Amalee, seated next to Grave, narrowed her dark eyes on Maris, and even with her plain expression, I saw concern lingering. Despite the harshness of the woman’s black, straight locks against her pale skin, her beauty rivaled Leanna’s. Fortunately, she kept her hair simple, unlike the princess of Rivale, who wore a towering style, mimicking a lighthouse guiding a ship home from sea.
Amalee’s almond-shaped eyes gave away her relation toGrave; however, the tone of her skin and sharp, angular features made the two appear more like cousins than siblings. Grave was no doubt a warrior, but there was something fiercer in his sister. Her disposition was tense and unsettled, like she could snap any minute and go to war over something as simple as an insult.
“Good of you to join us,” Leanna said, more bothered than normal. She’d always favored Maris during our interactions, but had pulled back recently.
“Why do you have those?” I leaned forward and looked at Maris, who was rubbing at her arms and the temple of her head.
“Why wouldn’t I?” she barked as if I’d said something rude.
An attendant stepped from the castle doors and made her way to Ryder. Bending down, she spoke low and, even with her standing right next to me, the conversation was so hushed I couldn’t make out her words.
“Very well.” Ryder waved her off. “Update Leanna about her condition as the day progresses.”
The woman nodded and disappeared through the doors. With serving plates in their hands, the kitchen staff returned and set the dishes on the table. Fruit, cheeses, breakfast meats, biscuits and pastries were all beautifully placed on display. Unfortunately for me, the dish containing filets of salmon was put directly in front of me; the scent making my stomach tilt.
“It appears Allura won’t be joining us today,” Ryder announced and scanned over the food. “Somehow, a cup of tea found its way to her room this morning.”
Leanna turned to her brother with a scrunched face.
“It contained citrus,” Ryder continued. “She didn’t realize until it was too late.”
Maris let out a theatrical gasp. I eyed her, wondering if she’d delivered the drink herself.
“She’s with the healer, no need to worry.” Ryder poured a glass of wine and offered it to Grave, who declined.
“How?” Leanna asked. “Who would do that?”
I looked around and found Grave’s brown eyes waiting. There was an underlying darkness in him that sent a chill through me.
“Only a limited number of people have access to the area. I’ll speak to Roark later.” Ryder peered down the table, and his eyes widened. He hesitated before continuing. “In the meantime, let’s proceed with breakfast, I suppose. That is … if we are all feeling well.”
My gaze followed his and stopped on Maris, who was aggressively clawing at her arms and the left side of her face. A rash was spreading across her skin, and it hit me abruptly—buttercups, or properly known as Ranunculus.
“Where’d you get the flowers, Maris?” My voice was urgent, but the situation was critical.
She paused for a moment and fluttered her eyelashes at Ryder. “Prince Sutton, of course.” Her eyes flicked to me. “Jealous?”
Grave let out a chuckle and sat back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. Amalee tilted her head in my direction and tapped a finger at the center of her pursed lips.
