“Why didn’t we just ride in the smaller one to begin with?”
I grind my teeth, struggling to remain patient. She’s left her home, likely for the first time, with her enemy. Alone. Of course, she’s skittish.
“I wanted to avoid explaining to Tormik why I was delivering his daughter in the … other carriage.” I jerk my hand, still hovering between us. “Dismount.Please.”
She folds her arms over her chest. “Stop saying you’re ‘delivering’ me. I’m not goods that you’ve bartered.”
A flicker of amusement curls in my chest at her scowl, and my lips tip up at the corners before I regain control of my face.
When I don’t respond, she finally stomps down, ignoring my proffered hand, stalking toward the smaller carriage at the back of the procession. Unbidden, my eyes are drawn to the swell of her backside, hips swaying with each furious step.
Mayah halts in front of the carriage, and I reach around her to open the door. My nose nearly brushes against her hair, her scent invading my senses—cold, clean frost and something faintly floral. Winter rose, I think.
Her body stiffens at my sudden proximity, and she darts up the stairs. Skies, I need to get a hold of myself.
Faramir. She’s betrothed toFaramir.
Mayah freezes at the top, then whirls. I’m two steps below her, but she still needs to crane her neck to glare at me.
“This is to transport prisoners,” she hisses.
“Very observant, Princess.” Another begrudging smile tugs at my lips. “Now, get in.”
“Absolutely not. You’re out of your tidesdamned mind if you think I’m going to let you shackle me—”
“I’m not planning to shackle you. Unless you give me a reason.” I smirk at her, enjoying her anger far more than I should.
She jabs her finger into my chest, and it sends a jolt of surprise through me.
“You willnotparade me through Arbinj like a prisoner. This is humiliating. Insulting. Improper. I can’t fathom—”
“Mayah,” I interject. She flinches as if I swore at her. “Take a breath. I’m only insisting on this carriage—this disgracefully obvious, painfully unworthy contraption—for your safety. And I won’t let you endure it alone. I’ll be right there with you, crammed into this pathetic excuse for transport, which, as you’ve noted, is better suited for convicts instead of princesses.” I gesture to the carriage. “Once we reach Arbinj, we’ll switch back into the royal carriage. You’ll enter the capital with all the pomp and respect you deserve. But for now … Get.In.”
Her expression twists into vicious disdain, and for a moment, I think she’ll slap me. But she finally turns, storming into the carriage, her hair whipping me in the face.
My knees knock against hers as I sit on the opposite bench, and she tucks her legs closer to herself as though I’m a disease she doesn’t want to catch. Mayah glares at me, and Skies help me, I smirk at her again. A scoff claws through her lips, and she turns sideways, glaring outside the window.
This is going to be a long journey.
An hour. An hour of peaceful silence is all she grants me.
“Why did you refuse to stay at the palace?” she asks, a faint crease marring her brow. “It was just one night.”
“The ceasefire is relatively new. I didn’t want to risk staying in … hostile territory for longer than necessary.”
“A ceasefire that onlyyouhave broken.”
“So far.” Irritation spikes in my chest at her reminder. “And I told you, it was an accident.”
She’s quiet for a single skiesblessed moment before asking, “During the betrothal ceremony … the thunder. Was that you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” She leans forward, as much as the cramped space allows, elbows braced on her knees, studying me like I’m a puzzle she wants to solve.
“I was angry.” My irritation swells into annoyance, and if she’s not careful, she’ll risk another storm.
“You can’t control your power when you’re angry?”
