“Yes, Princess Elowen.”
Still hidden from sight, Theo raised an eyebrow at the boldness of the servant’s tone in responding to the princess. It was a far cry from the overly deferential manner he’d just shown Theo. He was even more stunned when Simeon continued.
“I’m not timid, Your Highness. Don’t be concerned,” he went on quickly. “I carry no presumptions. But whatever my restraints, I’m not a weak or hesitant man. Perhaps my temperament seems yielding to you, but I don’t believe I have a lack of resolution.”
It was clearly a reference to an earlier conversation, and Theo felt discomfort prickle over him. What exactly was the servant speaking of? What made him so brazen as to address the princess in that challenging way?
“I see,” Elowen said, her voice quieter now. “I don’t know what to say, Simeon, except to ask you to forgive my assumptions. And, of course, to wish you well in the competition.”
The voices fell quiet, and a moment later, Theo chanced a look around the tent. Elowen was strolling away toward the castle, and Simeon had a faint smile on his face, the expression one of private, gentle satisfaction.
Jealousy flared in Theo, hot and foolish and distracting. It made him angry. He felt ashamed of his weakness, first threatened by a fool like Lord Bertrand, now by a servant? He had to quell this childish jealousy. He remembered how refreshing he’d found Elowen’s light and playful manner that afternoon, because it was so unusual. But the way she’d spoken to Simeon just now had been so natural. He would almost havesaid they’d spoken with the ease of friendship, which made no sense given their relative stations. He was embarrassed by how much he wanted her to speak to him in that comfortable way, instead of with the cautious politeness he usually received.
The realization of how much he wanted her approval made him recoil, the sensation close to fear.You can’t pursue what you want, he reminded himself.That will lead to disaster for more than just you. It’s not about your desires, but your duty.
But he couldn’t seem to hold on to the assurance when he remembered the elation he’d felt when he saw Elowen cheering him on. He needed to be careful or he’d be in danger of caring too much about both the tournament and his emotions.
Chapter
Ten
Having enjoyed the maze event so much, Elowen was disappointed to learn that she’d missed the declaration of the results. Doubly so when she heard that, unsurprisingly, Theo had won it easily. Her disappointment wasn’t softened by sitting next to him at dinner, thanks to his inexplicable return to the polite but aloof manner she found so disheartening.
The following day had no court events scheduled for the morning, and Elowen’s mother had her under strict instructions to at last take Theo to the floating gardens. This time, she was careful not to invite Sophia or anyone else who might turn the event into a group affair, which Bertrand would do all he could to dominate.
She half regretted it, however, when she found herself riding out with a quiet, solemn Theo after breakfast.
“Did you sleep well?” she asked, wincing as the meaningless chatter left her lips.
“Yes, thank you.” Theo didn’t seem to be paying much attention, his eyes on the water tower they were riding past. “What’s the function of that tower?” he asked suddenly.
Elowen followed his eyes up the narrow structure topped with a wider stone chamber. “It’s a water tower,” she said. “Water is drawn up gradually from wells underneath by use of magic, and stored up high. Then, if there’s ever a need for a sudden release of a lot of Dust, we can drop the water in a torrent, back down the tower, with skilled craftsmen on hand to manipulate the ensuing magic.”
“Clever,” Theo commented. “Useful for the defense of the city in the event of an attack, I imagine.”
“Precisely,” Elowen said. “We used to only have two. The one you’re looking at was built recently, when there were constant whispers that the other kingdoms on the Peninsula were preparing to go to war against us.”
Theo fell silent, perhaps hearing the edge of accusation hidden under her mild tone. Elowen forced herself to speak more cheerfully, mindful of the presence of the guards behind them. But it felt artificial, and she was sure she wasn’t the only one relieved when they reached the floating gardens.
It was a lovely, peaceful spot, and her spirits lifted as she caught the scent of jasmine and lilac. In spite of the fine weather, the normally popular gardens were deserted, likely thanks to the commoners’ events taking place at the tournament field.
They pulled their horses up, looking out over the marsh-turned-water-garden and admiring the artful way the plants grew along, into, and sometimes out of, the water. The section where they’d stopped was ringed with flat stones, a willow drooping its branches into the water not far away. Large lily pads floated lazily on the surface of the water, dragonflies skimming past them. Ochre shifted her weight, and in response, a frog jumped off a lily pad and disappeared into the greenish depths with a soft plop.
“It’s beautiful,” Theo said, his deep voice sending a foolish little shiver over Elowen’s skin. What would it take for him tospeak of her with that resonant approval? “I see why you like it here.”
“Yes,” she said, trying to swallow her illogical nerves.
Her eyes moved to the far bank, where an area of firm turf rose from a marshy section of pond. Jasmine bushes grew in profusion around the base of a tulip poplar tree. She could smell the sweet, familiar scent from where they stood.
“My father used to bring me here when I was a child,” she told Theo. “When he’d been especially busy, or away from the capital on state affairs, he would always say he owed me a trip to the gardens to make up for it.” She smiled softly for a moment, until she realized Theo was watching her, and self-consciously smoothed her features.
“He’s an indulgent father, I think,” Theo said quietly.
Elowen felt her brows crease. “He’s firm when he needs to be.”
“I didn’t mean it as a criticism,” Theo assured her. “If I sounded somber, it was only because I was thinking how difficult it must be for him to send his only daughter to another kingdom.”
Elowen said nothing, but Theo didn’t seem perturbed by her silence. He lifted an arm to point at a patch of swamp that was roped off.
