Page 19 of To Fight and To Fold

By the time she made it to the Great Hall for breakfast, word had reached all that Aaryn was a Tethered without a dragon. The ache in her heart, the tightness in her belly, and the knowledge she’d failed hurt more than any lingering stares, but they certainly didn't help, either.

Was she still welcome at the table with the other Tethered? Aaryn wasn’t sure she could stomach breakfast and their pitying glances.

Which had already begun. The table was filled with Tethered, and some of them were whispering, a few staring sadly in her direction. There was a seat free, at least, and Aaryn began the walk to fill it at Rose's gentle ushering.

“Aaryn,” a voice said from behind her.

She spun, and found… the prince.

“Would you do me the honor of having breakfast with me?”

Aaryn wasn’t very familiar with the prince. Living in the castle, they’d crossed paths several times, and he of course was present for her ceremony of induction as a Tethered, had been there to oversee her ritual. But never had she been offered such a high honor—dining with the crown—for any meal.

She was surprised, certainly. Delighted? Maybe a little.

“I’d—yes, of course,” she said, cheeks filling with color.

She glanced over her shoulder to find Rose's eyes as wide as the saucers on the table before her. She waved her hands as if to say, Well? Go! and Aaryn turned back to the prince.

He offered her his arm, and Aaryn accepted, placing her hand on his forearm. He was dressed in—well, he wasn’t as audaciously dressed as the king. The prince was more involved with happenings on the ground, so he dressed more similarly to his First Guard.

Speaking of the Guard—that’s mostly what awaited her at the table, along with a few advisors or other higher-ups whose purpose she wasn’t familiar with. The king only dined in the Great Hall for dinner, and even then only sometimes. Ever since the queen passed a few years ago, he’d become more reclusive. But even without the king seated at this table, it was yet another place Aaryn felt she didn’t belong.

Especially with the stares of the entire Great Hall on them.

Jarrick offered her a seat, pulling it out for her like a gentleman, before taking his own directly to her left.

“I spoke to the king,” he said quietly, capturing her attention. “I am allowed to keep you in the know, but that will be the extent of your involvement.”

Aaryn would have let her shoulders slump in defeat if not for the weight of everyone’s gazes.

“It’s less than you expected, I am aware. But the king raised a point: there's not much you can do.”

“There is plenty I can do!” Aaryn argued quietly, but kept her tone respectful.

The prince glanced at her doubtfully as service began, and Aaryn collected her thoughts.

“Thank you,” she offered to the staff who delivered a platter of fresh fruits.

“You... You said it so yourself just last night,” Aaryn pointed out, grasping at particularly thin air. “I’m the one Thea was closest to. Surely I’ve amassed some information that could prove helpful.”

He cocked his head to the side. “Would you be willing to speak to our investigators, answer some questions about her?”

“Yes! Of course! Anything,” she pleaded.

“Well. That could prove to be very helpful. Are you free this afternoon?”

Aaryn stared at him, and the rest of the room fell away. “My only charge has been taken. Tell me, Prince, do you think I am free?”

He turned his head away to hide a smile, and it would have been an endearing gesture if Aaryn's free time didn't feel so hopeless.

“Alright, I’ll send a guard for you this afternoon.”

“Thank you,” she said, and curled her hands around the edge of the table, intending to push away and reclaim her seat next to Rose, to listen to her squeal about the handsome prince, but the prince in question held out a hand.

“Stay, finish the breakfast.”

Aaryn… hesitated. She was invited to stay for breakfast at the king’s usual table.