Page 83 of The Fox Heir

Nalina narrows her eyes at the tree as she thinks. “He used to be joyful. Sunshine incarnate.”

A laugh erupts from me. I can’t help it.

Nalina glowers.

“Sorry.” It takes a moment for me to regain control of my face. “That’s just hard to believe.”

“There are many things about us and our history that you don’t know.”

I nod slowly. “I’m sure that’s true. But I’ve spent so much time with Tristan these past few months. It’s hard to imagine him as ‘joyful’.”

She thinks for several moments before responding. “No one in Annwyn has escaped suffering at the hands of your family, Fox Heir. I thought you’d have figured that out by now.”

“Could you tell me?” I ask, deciding to be bold. “How have you suffered? I would like to understand.”

She chews her lip and crosses her arms over her chest. “My twin sister was taken from me.”

I blink over at her. “I didn’t know you had a family.”

“I don’t anymore. That’s the point.”

“I’m sorry.”

“She sacrificed herself for the safety of the kingdom.” Nalina’s voice is thick with pain. “She was the best person I ever knew. The strongest. The bravest. I should have known that she’d do anything to protect me.”

I nod. “I suppose that’s the thing about love. It makes us braver than we could ever imagine.”

Nalina turns to face me. “Tristan lost someone too.”

“I know. He told me. First his sister, then his parents.”

Nalina shakes her head, like I somehow got it all wrong. “You think you can waltz into Annwyn and understand everything about us.”

Her sudden sharpness stings. And here I thought we were making progress. “I know I don’t understand everything. I’m trying.”

“Hm.” She studies me, uncertain.

“Nalina, can I ask you something?”

She sighs. “That depends on what it is.”

“Why do you hate me so much?”

She raises an eyebrow in an isn’t-it-obvious expression.

I shake my head. “I know you hate my father. My ancestors. My entire kingdom. And I understand why. You lost the person you loved most in the world.”

Nalina’s expression doesn’t change.

I continue, “But you also hate me, specifically. I can see it in your eyes.”

Nalina’s face remains stony for several beats. She turns to face the sacred tree again, as if she can’t stand the sight of me. “It’s the way he looks at you.”

“Who?”

“Don’t play coy with me.”

I’m almost afraid to say his name. “Tristan?”