A pale pink peony sprouted near the roses; I broke it free. Sunlight cascaded over it, detailing every vein in the petals—so fresh and new. The stem slid easily into my hair, behind my ears.
Fyn eyed the blooms at the base of the willow as he stepped closer, his gaze then shifted to Cora’s. She silently nodded toward him.
“Get some rest. You’re bound to be tired after today.” Her palm rested on my shoulder. That moment was so small to her, but it meant everything to me. To be seen for who I am. To not just be the Princess of Bailoc.
“Lioran would like to see you, if you’re not too exhausted…and if you are, that’s probably fine, too, because he sleeps most of the time anyways.” Fyn gestured ahead. His green eyes caught mine, assessing me. Cora proceeded down the path in the opposite direction.
“I would like to see him,” I said.
His boots scraped over the stone path that led back to the castle. “You two…have been seeing a lot of each other.”
Heat rose in my cheeks. I studied the uneven stone path. The blades of grass as they moved in the wind.
“He has nothing to do in the infirmary. He’s bored.” I pulled at the neckline of my tunic as it slipped past my shoulder. “It helps him pass the time.”
“You’re there every day. Even I don’t go there every day and we work together.”
“Where else would I be?”
“Oh, I see. So, you’re bored, too.”
I stopped in the path in front him. “What exactly is it you do around here? Just hover and make sure I stay out of trouble?” His smirk faded.
“I oversee trade and logistics. It’s my duty to keep Lythira running.” He paused as we approached the thick oak castle doors. “But lately, being your personal guard also seems to be my responsibility.”
I hadn’t thought to ask, but now that I had, I knew why he was opposed to bringing me here. There were so many moments we fought together to keep Lioran alive, to bring him home. Somewhere along the way, he grew to respect me.
“Thank you,” I said.
“For what?”
There were so many thoughts swirling through my mind, but I only said one. “For protecting me.” He silently nodded, and for a moment, there were no jabs, only a quiet understanding.
He motioned forward. “We shouldn’t keep him bored and waiting.”
“You’re going to stay and visit with him?” I bit my tongue. As the twinge of pain settled, I realized I didn’t want him to.
He pushed the door open, but no guard greeted us on the other side. Guards were very rarely seen roaming the castle halls. “No, Your Highness,” he whispered. “My presence would only be a disappointment.”
I ignored his words. I knew he reveled in moments when I looked annoyed.
“It’s most amusing really,” he said.
“What is?”
“How you don’t notice the way you are around him.”
I stopped, frozen with his words. He was only just being Fyn. He was only testing me.
Fyn paused outside the infirmary. “Or maybe you do.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I squared my shoulders back.
He pushed the infirmary door open. I forced a laugh as my chest tightened. It was the only thing I could do to keep from breaking in front of Lioran. His eyes avoided mine as I entered. When he looked up, he only looked at Fyn.
Lioran pushed scrolls aside in his lap.
“You’re supposed to be resting, not working.” Fyn lifted the scrolls from Lioran’s bed.
