“Lovely day, isn’t it, Primelle?” My uncle Arnel trotted up to my side. His mustache gleamed golden in the sunlight, and I was struck again by how much he looked like my father.
“Indeed.” I tilted my chin to smile at him. “Do you ride often?”
“Not usually. The last time I did so was about six months ago when I visited. My brother does love his domals.”
I cocked my head. I hadn’t known that about my father. When acting as Roosep, my father had never mentioned his love of riding.
Arnel studied me, then frowned. “I imagine all of this is a shock to you, given that you only learned of your true parentage in the past week.”
I shrugged sheepishly. “It has been a bit of an adjustment.”
Arnel moved his domal a bit closer to my mare. “If you ever want more information about our family or history, feel free to visit my home’s library. I’m a bit of an enthusiast in that aspect and have collected many family history books. Perhaps that would make you feel more of a Manafold.”
I perked up. “Oh? I do love to learn of history.” But then my happiness dimmed. “I suppose it will have to wait, though. Your brother’s forbidden me from leaving palace grounds, for now, at least.”
Arnel smiled in an appeasing manner. “Ah, yes, the attack last night in the maze. I can understand his concern, but I can assure you my wards are just as strong as the palace’s, and since I don’t have any shifting hedges, they should hold just fine. So if he ever changes his mind, you’re welcome at any time. I reside only a few hours carriage ride from here, so if you’d ever like to scour my home library and are allowed to, you’re very welcome to do so.”
I beamed. “I do love a good library. That’s such an enticing offer.” I sighed. “But for the moment, I must decline. Thank you, though. That’s very generous.”
He shrugged. “I just want you to feel welcome, and if I’d known you were alive, I would have extended the offer sooner before all of this craziness happened.”
A genuine feeling of kinship coursed through me. “Thank you, Uncle.”
He nodded a farewell, then heeled his domal forward to join my father and Leopold.
My cousins’ laughter rang through the air, and I considered my uncle’s offer again. Most likely, the larger libraries in the land were where I would find answers about the creatures, but maybe, just maybe, his home library was worth pursuing as well. And if he truly took an interest in our unique family history, perhaps something was buried in his books and tomes that could give me a clue as to whyIwas being pursued and singled out by whoever was after me.
All in all, my thoughts only strengthened my belief that I had to convince my parents to release me from the palace grounds so I could hunt for answers. Time was ticking, and as the attack had shown last night, we had no idea when our enemy would next strike.
When we finally returned tothe stables, it was late afternoon, and the palace grounds were awash in activity. A dozen other fae nobles were also about, most on domals but others simply standing in groups and talking. From what I could see, they were all from the various Houses.
I’d met the majority of them the evening prior, but there were a few faces I didn’t recognize.
“Ah, there she is.” Lady Ryderdim eyed me from where she sat atop her own domal. “Princess Primelle in the flesh.”
I rode closer to her, then dismounted and glanced at the other fae surrounding us warily. I had the distinct feeling they were talking about me since many of them were whispering and glancing in my direction.
The elderly House leader eyed me from atop her steed, which kept pawing at the ground. “The princess of the hour has joined the royal family for a ride, it seems.”
“Indeed, Lady Ryderdim. It’s a pleasant day for one.” I forced my attention away from the whisperings and smiled up at the Ryderdim House leader. Movement from around the stable drew my attention. Nathaniel was there too, speaking with a few fae near the domals. “It’s lovely to see you again,” I added.
The older female’s lips pursed. “Is it?”
My smile wobbled at her cool tone. “It is. I’d hope to see you soon.”
She placed a hand on her hip and arched an eyebrow. “Why? So you could lie to me more?” She huffed. “Truth be told, I’ve been hoping to see you too, simply so I could say that to your face.”
For a moment, I was speechless, and Royden also dismounted and took a step closer to me. Silently, his hand went to his blade.
Lady Ryderdim scoffed in the warrior’s direction. “Oh please. I’m not threatening the princess,” she snapped at him. “I’m merely voicing my discontent with her.”
“I’m sorry . . . I don’t understand,” I stammered.
Around us, my cousins’ frequent laughter died, and the chatter from the other nobles faded. I didn’t have to look to know that everyone was listening to us.
“Did you not hear me, Princess? I said youlied to me.”
“Lied to you, how, Lady Ryderdim?” Genuine confusion swam through me.
