“I am certain.” I rose. “If there’s nothing else you need from me, I’d like to go wash up now.”
“You’re free to go.” Lioran gestured toward the door.
I nodded, picking up my sword as I left.
The chill of the castle walls cooled my skin as I leaned back in the hall.
Their voices were a low rumble, but I couldn’t make out their words. It was probably better that way. I didn’t know if I wanted to.
Prince Soren of Estlen wanted to meet me to discuss a potential marriage.
I agreed to it—like someone had asked me to tea or if I wanted to eat my dinner early.
Fear should have gripped me harder, but a fierce energy buzzed through me, forcing it out.
I liked the feeling.
Life among my own kind wasn’t really out of reach.
I had spent the past five months assuming it was, but then suddenly it landed right in front of me.
CHAPTER TWO
FYN
She simply agreed to it. There wasn’t even a moment when she contested it.
I braced myself for her outrage at the invitation—I expected that.
But she didn’t even flinch.
Ashlyn was planning a life beyond Nythrel.
Aelira paced the edge of the study. “We kept her here, and now she’s resorting to a marriage pact to escape Nythrel.”
Lioran traced his jaw. “If she wishes to explore the possibility, then you must let her.”
“It was as if she was in a rush to decide it.” Aelira’s hands quaked as she raised them.
“Your sister isn’t the patient type.” Impulsivity was where Ashlyn excelled.
She asked to be trained to wield a sword. I was far too amused to dismiss her request.
No matter how much she practiced, she faltered. Each swing was made in haste. Her anger made every movement more volatile.
Beneath it all lay a quiet strength. I wished she would see it the way I did.
“And you think you know her better than I do?” Aelira folded her arms across her chest.
I knew a trap when I heard it. And I was absolutely not about to partake in it. “Not at all, my queen.”
“Don’t start with me, Fyn. I know exactly what you’re doing and will have none of it.” She glared at me. “You could have talked her out of this.”
My hand wrapped easily around the back of my neck, pinching my skin. “Are we talking about the same woman?”
I shouldn’t have said that. I absolutely should have kept my thoughts to myself, but sometimes I’d forget to stop myself.
“He spends a lot of time with her,” Lioran said.
