The apprentice scoffed. Every head turned. Williard’s brows furrowed. Mikal’s hand dropped to his dagger without a word.
“Something to say?” he asked.
The young man’s dark eyes darted from face to face. Freya edged closer. Her presence settled my nerves.
“We didn’t expect her back,” he bit out.
“So soon,” Williard added, tone soft. “Princess, you haven’t met my apprentice. This is Kai. He’s gifted at crafting and imbuing kites.”
“And making fish dance,” Freya muttered.
Mikal hadn’t taken his eyes off the boy. “Abusing magic will cost you your Vessel status,” he said, voice low. “I shouldn’t need to remind you.”
“Thank you for coming.” Williard forced a smile in an attempt to dismiss the rider. “Kai, why don’t you check the market for ash? You’ll require more for the dragon kite.”
The apprentice shrugged and made to brush past, but a leather-clad arm stopped him.
“You’ve not greeted your princess.”
My heart seized, screaming to just let the man go. His gaze carried the weight of every failure we’d tried to solve with the treaty—the famine, the crowding, the bitterness. He blamed me.
I wasn’t ready to confront that.
Kai froze. So did Mikal.
“Pay your respects,” the rider growled.
Dragon Riders knew no more than the common folk regarding the details of what unfolded between me and Kallias. But they served my father—loved him, were loyal to him. Elmo answered to Argos and Kalepsi. I was the Dragon’s Heart and earned their love. Not a single rider had ostracized me, at least not yet.
Kai’s dark eyes snapped to me, thick with hatred and heat. Dread twisted in my gut. Mikal was turning this into a spectacle, and I loathed him for it.
“Let him go.” My voice rang steady, my chin lifting a fraction under the burden of a forced smile. “I’m sure he’s in a hurry. The Awakening nears, and a missing dragon kite might be blasphemous.” I flavored it with humor, but the words burned bitter on my tongue.
That accusation in his gaze would only fester. I’d been lucky not to be caught by another commoner who hated me as deeply. He would only be the first. I had to learn to let it go.
A low snarl thundered above us. Elmo’s cry mirrored his rider’s fury, but Mikal dropped his arm. Kai dipped his chin, cut me a glare, and stormed out.
Williard heaved a sigh and settled onto the workbench. His fingers traced the kite’s frame as he shook his head. “The boy is passionate. Young.”
“Foolhardy,” Mikal spat. “Princess, perhaps you shouldn’t be outside the palace without a rider.”
I recoiled, stunned he’d suggest it. “I am among my people.” My scowl cut sharp. “I am Draconis.”
“AlimitedDraconis.” He grimaced, rubbing his neck.
My inability to hold magic—a subtle hint I couldn’t defend myself against a Vessel if they were to attack.
A terrifying thought.
“Tensions run high,” he continued. “So many were planning to settle on the Wild Shores with the help of Radaan—and the promises of an abundance of food—it will take time before they forget that.”
They wouldn’t. My people would never forget what I promised when I agreed to marry Tallon. And they wouldn’t brush off how I’d ruined it all.
What had he seen in Kai’s mind? In others’? How much hatred simmered beneath the surface? I trusted Mikal not to hold back from immediate threats. He’d act. But even so, the warning settled between us like smoke too thick to breathe.
“She isn’t alone,” Freya cut in. “Zane filled me yesterday. Nothing will happen to Her Highness.”
My smile wavered, but I forced my unease to roll off my shoulders.
