‘Not exactly snooping when I’ve used it already,’ I shot back, refusing to let him win. His ego was inflated enough. Besides, sparring with him was strangely fun; I just hoped he wouldn't take it too far.
‘We’re taking a car. The route’s scenic—you don’t want to miss it,’ he said, opening the passenger door with surprising gallantry.
The car was massive. Its logo, a swirl of silver flames, told me it must be a local make. It made sense; Fogoya had closed itself off long ago, so of course it'd become incredibly self-sufficient.
‘Most royals I know don’t drive. They portal and have chauffeurs,’ I said, buckling in.
The king flashed a wide smile. ‘So do I. But driving relaxes me.’
I giggled. ‘Is this a roundabout way of saying I stress you out?’
He looked straight into myeyes, tensing. ‘You have no idea.’
My pulse stumbled. I turned to the window, pretending to watch the road, though the smirk lingering in his reflection told me he noticed.
Chapter Thirteen
Avari
Ever since the unfortunate chain of events, I had become increasingly aware of the subtle ways the king’s power wrapped around us. It didn’t feel malicious or controlling; if anything, it grounded me, a steady and watchful presence. It was strong enough to stir faint life into the flickering embers of my own magic. I wondered if this was how he usually operated, or if he was watching out for something specific. Or whether he simply enjoyed riling me up. He seemed to be a big fan of that.
As we buckled in and drove off, we soon left the castle grounds behind, heading toward the promised city. The forest stretched for miles, and I spotted several potential hiking spots, including a small, secluded creek that made me itch to soak my feet. It would be freezing, no doubt, and I already knew I would need my fire to warm up afterwards. It was best to wait until it had fully recovered.
Sunlight spilled through the thick branches of the tallest sequoias I had ever seen, stealing my breath away. Their widecanopies blanketed the sky, sheltering everything below. The sight made me smile. What a beautiful home they had.
Waiting for my witchcraft to heal from the curse was frustrating. I had never been a patient person, but surrounded by so much untamed life, even my weakened magic quivered with anticipation. Everything here felt so different from home. Though I would never admit it aloud, the Fogoyan court had a soul that the Ortensian one had long since lost.
Becoming River’s prisoner had once felt like a tragedy, but now I could almost glimpse a light at the end of that jagged tunnel, a path lined with roses whose beauty hid their thorns, waiting for me to misstep.
Engulfed by nature, I could not help wondering why my people had chosen a stagnant beach as the site for our court. Ortensia had its gardens and indoor greenery, yes, but compared to this wild, living place, it felt lifeless.
‘What’s brewing in that head of yours?’ The king’s question snapped me out of my trance. His hands gripped the steering wheel, eyes flicking toward me every so often. Curious. Observing me like I was some sort of puzzle.
The faint concern in his tone made me chuckle. The illusion of his unshakeable confidence was beginning to crack, piece by piece. Or maybe he simply didn’t know how to deal with me.
Either way, I couldn’t resist teasing him. ‘Why, are you scared?’
A wide grin curved his mouth before he fired back, ‘Depends. Will I have to save your arse again?’
What a dick. The way he mentioned saving me and skipped the part where he had nearly killed me first was almost impressive.
‘Do you have a saviour complex or something?’ I asked coolly.
Without taking his eyes off the road, that crooked smirk appeared again. ‘Just a praise kink.’
I blinked. Of course, he did.
‘Oh really? Well then, what a good job you’re doing driving this car, my lord,’ I said, my voice dripping with mockery. I fluttered my lashes, trying not to make it sound too suggestive, but judging by the way he shifted in his seat, I had hit the mark.
Great. Now it was awkward. It didn't even take much…
‘So anyway, where exactly are you taking me?’ I asked quickly.
We drove into a small suburb where houses painted every colour of the rainbow lined the streets. Somewhere along the way, the creek had widened into a river, winding behind the gardens like a silver ribbon.
‘It’s so beautiful,’ I murmured.
He only hummed, letting me enjoy the view. Eventually, the cottages gave way to red-brick buildings, and we parked outside one.
