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“I wanted Wren to try some of your fresh bread if it isn’t too much trouble,” the prince said casually.
Sarai nodded and turned to return from where she had entered from. Wren refrained from staring openly at him. She couldn’t help, but wonder just how many versions of the crown prince there were. She had only ever seen him converse so openly with Sophie and yet that was different as she knew they had been friends all their lives.
When Sarai returned she was holding a perfectly sliced piece of golden bread with warm melting butter on it. Wren reached out for the offered bread as she thanked the woman. She brought the still warm bread to her lips and was shocked at how it easily melted in her mouth. She closed her eyes as she enjoyed the medley of flavors that sang. When she finished chewing she opened her eyes and looked to Sarai in awe.
“I can assure you the prince was not lying. This is the best bread I have ever tasted.”
Sarai glowed with pride and sent them away with several fresh loaves despite being reminded they had plenty of bread within the castle.
After leaving Sarai’s they walked around the village, mingling with each villager who seemed happy to see their prince. A young group of boys were kicking a ball in the courtyard at the center of the village and Wren felt something unravel in her at the familiar sight. Her eyes caught unruly blond hair running towards them and she smiled when she realized it was the same boy from earlier.
He bent over resting his hands on his knees as he reached them, catching his breath. “She said she’d have my head for being prideful, but I was still right.” Both Wren and Malaki laughed at the earnestness in his voice. “Will you play with us, Prince Kai?”
To Wren’s great surprise, Malaki took off his cloak and went to lay it in the muddy ground next to her. Wren reached for it instead, intercepting the beautiful cloak’s descent into filth. He smiled up at her and began to unbuckle his sword belt. She held out her other hand and he placed it in hers, still smiling at her as he tied up his hair into a neat knot on top of his head.
He then jogged over to where the boys were playing where they engaged in a competitive game. Wren quickly deduced that one side was meant to kick the ball past a certain line in order to score while the other side tried to prevent the act from occurring. Their game began to draw attention and many of the villagers came by to watch.
Some teenagers joined in and she could see Malaki’s forehead was wet from exertion. He was lining up to kick the ball across the field when one of the older boys appeared in front of him and kicked it away from him, causing Malaki to fall into the muddy ground.
Wren looked on anxiously, unsure how the prince would respond, but was surprised to see him laugh and clasp hands with the boy who helped him to stand. The crowd that had now amassed cheered loudly, and Wren soon found herself invested in the game. Malaki scored a point, and she was surprised to hear her own voice join the crowd. The village was filled with such joy and laughter that Wren felt a lightness in her heart that she hadn’t felt since she arrived.
When the game ended, the villagers all rushed to Malaki to speak to him and he patiently spoke with each one. By the time he finally returned to her, his cheeks were flushed and his hair damp with sweat. Mud covered his fine clothes and even his face.
Wren reached up to remove a piece lingering on his cheek and the prince stilled beneath her touch. She instantly pulled back her hand as if burned, realizing what she had done. Malaki grabbed her hand in response and his blue eyes locked onto hers even as silence stretched between them.
Wren inwardly rebelled at the flush that rose in her cheeks before turning away like the coward she was. She was saved by an elderly woman holding a walking stick coming towards them. “Well, then, let me meet this mysterious Princess.” Malaki smiled, dropping Wren’s hand.
“I am sorry to have kept her from you, Rose.” Malaki moved towards the elderly woman and took her other arm in his.
“Nonsense, boy, I can walk just fine on my own.”
Wren noted the old woman did not release his arm all the same. They stopped in front of Wren, and the older woman made a show of eyeing her up and down. She gestured for Wren to lean down towards her, and as she did, the woman took Wren’s chin in her hands and turned her head back and forth. Wren stilled under her scrutiny, unused to being so obviously appraised.
The woman released her and not taking her eyes from Wren’s she said, “You have some explaining to do, boy.”
If Malaki was surprised or offended at her statement, he did not show it. The old woman merely turned, taking the prince’s arm with her and began walking away. “You, too, Princess. Let’s be off. Go get your things from her, boy, she’s not your mule.”
Malaki chuckled and removed himself from the woman and made his way to Wren where he took his sword and cloak from her.
They made their way to a large home at the center of the village and followed Rose in. When they entered, they were met by a warm room with a fireplace and a sitting area. Rose sat down with all the grace of old age and Malaki and Wren took seats across from her.
“Well, where did you come from girl?” Rose said impatiently.
“Crishaven, ma’am,” replied Wren.
“I don’t recall asking you for the lie, girl.”
Wren looked at Malaki with panic, but he only shrugged a shoulder.
“Very few things slip past Rose,” he explained. “Wren is from another world. My father and the Bishop brought her here, but we don’t know why.”
Wren was shocked at the prince’s candor.
The old woman nodded. “Wicked man, the Bishop. His thirst for power will be the death of us all.” Turning to focus on Malaki, she said, “You see how the village is thriving? No doubt you think it is due to your benefaction, but you know that it is more than that.”
She paused, closing her eyes as if listening to something only she could hear. When she opened her eyes it was as if her eyes latched onto Wren. “The wind dances and the land sings. Our crops are suddenly plentiful and the weather consistently agreeable. This began a month ago.”
She felt Malaki’s gaze on her and when she turned it was as if he had never seen her.
