Suddenly the space behind them went from empty to housing one of the most powerful beings in the kingdom. Ambrose straightened her backand held strong as his charge tingled her skin and her hair stood on end. What only a few months ago she’d recoiled from, a power so thick it was encasing, now felt strangely… almost comforting. She’d grown accustomed to feeling his magick so close, always pulsing in waves as he moved. The hum against her own becoming an all too familiar sensation that she no longer entirely hated. Something about his presence was beginning to feel, natural…
Ambrose shook the thoughts from her mind as she realized she was having them. Nothing about Akadian was normal. He wasn’t even human, but something far more powerful and deadly. He wasn’tsafe. She quickened her pace in an attempt to put some distance between them again and refocus her thoughts.
Lily kept pace beside her with little difficulty, the tap of her boots echoing against the marble floor. “See, you make her nervous.” She jabbed a finger at him.
“Lily.” Ambrose tugged on her arm, stifling her smile.
“What? He does? He’s so creepy,” Lily glanced back at him.
“He’s the crown prince,” Ambrose poked, but her lips were spreading as she tried to hold it back.
“So? He looks like he’s just the prince of sulking to me.” Lily said quietly between the two but still loud enough for Akadian to hear. “Creep.”
* * *
The markets were a sight for any to behold.
Tapestries of rich colors rolled out in an awning to block the street from the sun as rows of booths and shops lined both sides, stretching for so far the end disappeared from view. Each turn of a corner offering a new alley that contained even more two-story shops. Lanterns lit with firelights hung on posts lined the road: gold, silver and red for the kingdom of Eltoria. The king’s flag waved high above their heads as shouts offering ales, meats,weapons, and magickal items from across the kingdoms sounded through the street as sellers offered their very best to the crowd. Humans and fae flooded the dirt road, not a single cart able get through. They filled every shop, selling out every food vendor and baker, buying all the newest fashions. Fragrances of all kinds mixed together: incense and perfumes made from the sweetest flowers, herbal oils that could soothe any ache, and even so-called love potions that could make even the hardest hearts flutter under their magick—though any skilled nature mage would recognize them as aphrodisiacs.
Fighters and Trial Champions paraded through the streets in their best armor or gear as excited citizens stopped to adore them. They whispered and gossiped about each of the warriors, some whose names had already reached the furthest corners of the kingdoms. Drunk on the attention, a few even pulled their weapons from their homes so the crowd could admire how powerful they were. The flaunting made Ambrose want to gag. Seeing the other fighters she tensed as she scanned the crowd for one that would shadow them all.
“Don’t worry, he never comes to anything like this. Honestly, they’ll be lucky if he shows for the Champion’s Ball,” Lily assured. “His idea of fun is bathing in the blood of his enemies on the battlefield. I swear he doesn’t understand anything else.”
How did she know who she was looking for?
“Are you sure?” Ambrose asked over the tempo in her chest. She hated the fear in her voice.
“Yup. Rowland never comes to these things. Plus, you’ve got this guy.” Lily threw her chin at Akadian.
“Ha. Ha.” Ambrose rolled her eyes, but her shoulders relaxed.
“Come on, I’mstarving.” Lily dragged her to the nearest booth, the smell of various meats wafting deliciously from it.
The stand had just about any meat one could think of. Thick legs from multiple types of birds, light and dark meat. A red cut that smelled absolutely divine as it bled on display. Whole smoked hog with skin crispy and golden twirled over a fire, and even countless types of stews bubbledand boiled.
After finishing their meal, the girls took to wandering, Akadian trailed behind making noises of disapproval at each shop they stopped at. Citizens stared when they saw him. Struck with awe and fear, they moved out of his way whispering furiously, leaving the shops they chose to occupy rather empty in comparison to the rest. Ambrose did her best to avoid thinking about the prince as Lily browsed a set of breast plates she had particularly fallen in love with.
An armory with every type of gear one could need. Breast plates with matching ankle and wrist cuffs in every color and material. With styles so unique none were exactly the same. Male or female it didn’t matter, the shop contained every type of armor an Eltorian warrior could ever need. Lily had lost herself to the rows of options, trying on each set to see which ones she liked the best. Akadian sat on a stool at the back of the shop, watching with clear annoyance and boredom. Even when he sulked like that he was terrifyingly beautiful. Muscles flexing with each sigh, full lips turned down as he huffed in exasperation. Ambrose caught herself staring again and instantly scolded herself. She wasn’t thinking clearly when it came to the prince. She walked out of the shop and away from Akadian, in hopes of some fresh air.
A small crowd had gathered around a man who was allowing patrons to hold a fairy dragon. A beautiful creature with iridescent wings that shimmered blue, purple and pink. Attached to a soft body with blue-purple scales. The dragon couldn’t have been bigger than a house cat and didn’t seem to be enjoying the attention. It screeched as it exchanged hands, thrashing against those who wrapped their arms around it. Her heart twinged as the screeches carried to the depths of her.
“Please help it. I know you can,”she pleaded into her mind without knowing if there would be an answer. As though made to carry her wish on it, a gust of wind shot through the street as a charge danced across her skin. People scrambled to hold their caps, food, and the loose items in their arms as that wind pushed past them.
“My dragon!” the short, scrawny owner of the creature cried as the windpicked up its wings and propelled it up into the sky. “Come back!” He flapped his arms ridiculously in the air, trying to catch the creature, but it beat its wings and carried itself higher than could be caught. Ambrose watched it fly out of sight, the pull in her chest lightening as it flew.
“That was some nifty magick,” a street performer remarked, his eyes trained on her. He dipped his chin at her in respect. He had a boyish face and eyes that sparkled like the ocean, with dark brown skin and long dark hair tied back into a braid under a hat made of soft red leather. He sat on a stool while he tuned the strangest looking fiddle in his lap. A golden lock held it together at the bottom as though it opened into something. Ambrose didn’t have the slightest clue what it could be.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied, eyeing the strange man.
“No?’ He tested the cords lightly. “I’m sure the creature appreciated it.”
“No.” She folded her arms.
“As you wish.” He tipped his hat to her and his fingers began to play it like a small guitar the most sorrowful and beautiful tune she’d ever heard. Melodies blending together in an impossible way to create a dance between melancholy and joy that held her from every side. He played with the skill of a master, but his music held none of the stiffness that the masters played for the king whenever he demanded. None of the empty songs she was accustomed to hearing in the halls of the palace. This song was every emotion one could feel in the most intoxicating blend of notes and spirit. The musician finished his song and Ambrose was reminded of where she was. Applause from the crowd she hadn’t noticed brought her back to the markets from a world made of only music and melody. She realized she’d been crying and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“That was beautiful,” she told him earnestly after she regained her senses.
“Thank you. I’m not surprised one like you could appreciate that song.” He smiled gently at her. “It’s an ancient story lost to time.”
