‘Don’t worry, I’ve moved herds of sheep and cows by the mountain,’ River said, patting my knee before withdrawing his hand the moment Michael shot him a knowing grin. Who would have thought he could be so childish?
‘Let’s hope she doesn’t pick your horses out of spite,’ I warned, chuckling. Anya didn’t respond well to authority, and she didn’t like him.
‘She would spite you?’ Isla looked scandalised. She was just as fascinated by dragons as her uncle. Brave girl, considering she thought Anya might devour her.
Delighted by her inquisitiveness, I explained, ‘Dragons have a dark sense of humour.’
Hours passed in calm bliss until Michael announced it was time for a short boat ride before the lake was swallowed by darkness—his birthday gift to the Princess of Fire, who loved water.
The boat wasn’t large, but it fit us all. Isla sat glued to my side, bombarding me with questions about life as a princess.
Emily explained that she wasn’t royal herself, so she couldn’t answer most of them. As much as the prince and king tried, their experience was far removed from mine.
‘How big is your castle in Ortensia?’ Isla asked.
‘A little smaller than yours, though very different. It’s secluded, near a beach of crashing waves that threaten to swallowit whole, but never do.’
Her eyes widened. ‘That sounds amazing! I love beaches.’
‘So do I, but Ortensian waters can be temperamental. Not all beaches are safe for swimming.’
‘Oh. Could you swim in it?’ she asked, meaning, could I, as a water princess?
I answered honestly, ‘I don’t wield water. It wouldn’t listen to me any more than it would to you.’
Her eyes widened further. ‘But you’re the princess from Ortensia. Your land should listen to you!’
‘I share Ortensian witch abilities,’ I said, reaching for my green power. It coiled around my fingers, forming a faint ring of energy that trailed along my wrist. Emily tensed, her gaze fixed on Isla, while everyone else remained calm. ‘But my other power isn’t water, it’s fire.’
I tugged on it lightly, letting the heat chase the green around my wrist to form a bracelet of essence before releasing it. I didn’t want to stress Emily; she had been kind to me, and witchcraft clearly unsettled her.
River sat beside me, watching.
Lately, he seemed a man reborn, his perpetual scowl softened into something almost content. I still wasn’t sure I trusted it. My fire might trust him, but my instincts weren’t convinced.
‘So… which kingdom do you prefer?’ Isla’s innocent question drew a grin from River, his eyebrows rising as he waited for my answer.
‘Yeah, which one is better, Ava?’ he teased, flicking a tiny coil of flame up my sleeve. It didn’t burn; it teased my own, urging it to connect. It took all my strength not to react, and the bastard knew it.
‘Hey, that’s not what I said!’ Isla scolded her uncle.
A soft breeze sprayed droplets across River’s face, as if the Ortensian waters had travelled this far to show their disapproval.
‘There are perks to both,’ I said carefully. ‘I like your lush forests more than the endless sand dunes around my court. But sometimes I miss the sound of waves crashing against the castle walls.’
‘A beach would be fun. We only have lakes around here. My room’s being renovated soon because I’m so grown up, and I’ll have a lake painted on the wall,’ Isla announced proudly. She reached for my hand. ‘How do you like your room? We can make it more princessy. I can help you decorate it! Is it like your old one?’
So that was what Maddie had meant earlier about me having something in common with her. The little girl had been far too passionate about princesshood for her own good.
‘They aren’t similar, but they’re both great. My Ortensian room was beige and gold, colours of the beach. But I like the darker tones and wood here in Fogoya.’
She fell silent for a moment, then asked, ‘Will you stay with us or go back to your court?’
‘Hey, Isla, look at the fish, this one’s as pink as your dress!’ Michael shouted from the other end of the boat. She didn’t take the bait.
‘Princesses marry to move, don't they? You could marry one of my uncles,’ she offered brightly.
Michael laughed, blowing me a kiss.
