He’s not wrong. The castle walls feel like they’re closing in on me more each day. “I think I just feel suffocated by this place,” I admit.
Doran nods, understanding in his eyes. “Maybe you should go for a walk into town. Master Gavrik usually arranges for one of the guards to accompany me when I start to get a bit claustrophobic and need to get out.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Because we’re prisoners?”
He laughs, shaking his head. “No, because it’s not safe for us out there. People know our powers are stronger than most of the realm’s. It’s safer for us to have a guard.”
His comment makes me pause. Safe. That word again. Rylan had used it constantly, always talking about taking me somewhere safe. But this doesn’t feel safe—it feels like a gilded cage. Maybe getting beyond the castle walls could be the key tomy escape. If I can just get out, I might be able to slip away. I don’t need to be a master of my Strength to do that.
Over the next few days, I try to find a way to leave the castle unnoticed, but it quickly becomes clear that’s impossible. There are too many eyes, too many guards. The only option is to go out with permission. Keeping that in mind, I map out several versions of my escape in my head if I can ever find a way out of the castle.
I’m so lost in those thoughts that I almost miss Princess Alina when she approaches me as I enter the dining hall almost a week after Rylan left. She’s all smiles, her demeanour bright and cheerful, but I’m caught off guard when she grabs my arm.
“Hi, Eirabella, right?” she says, her tone as sweet as honey. “Come sit with me! There’s a free seat since Rylan isn’t back yet.”
My feet trip over themselves at the sound of his name. The mere mention of him shouldn’t affect me this much, but it does. Not as though I haven’t been thinking of him even when no one mentions him. Alina giggles at my little stumble, completely unaware of the turmoil she’s stirred up in me. “These dresses and shoes they make us wear are ridiculous, aren’t they?”
The king and queen haven’t arrived yet, so Alina starts chatting away, asking me a million questions about my background, my training, and how I’m adjusting to castle life. I keep my answers vague, not wanting to give away too much. Every question feels like a potential trap, and I’m careful not to fall into one.
Caelum appears next, taking the seat across from us with a grin. “Found yourself a new puppy to play with, Alina?” he teases.
I bristle at the suggestion that I’m just a pet to the princess, but I tamp it down. From my few interactions with Caelum, Ihaven’t been able to get a good read on him. He’s been friendly and even flirty. But I feel like there’s more behind those crystal blue eyes. Friend or foe. I guess time will tell. Or it would’ve, if I had been planning on sticking around.
Alina, however, doesn’t let it go. “Oh, shush, Caelum. I just wanted Eirabella to feel welcome.”
Just then, another woman arrives, taking the seat directly across from me. She’s practically the spitting image of King Halford, but I see Rylan in the way her mouth is set in a straight line. Must be Princess Elara, the second in line to the throne after her brother. Her eyes flick over me, a slight purse of her lips. “Well, it seems some people have made themselves right at home.”
Alina waves her off. “Itold Eirabella to sit there. It’s not like Rylan’s here anyway. Who knows where he’s parked his bottom right now?”
Caelum snorts and leans in with a smirk. “Probably keeping some poor freezing duke’s daughter’s bed warm. You know how generous he is with his fire Strength.” I feel my stomach twist. A pang of jealousy hits me out of nowhere, sharp and unwelcome. I tell myself it’s ridiculous—whatever, or, whoever, Rylan is doing is none of my business—but the feeling still lingers.
The hall’s doors open, and Lady Julietta’s entrance draws all eyes. She’s as breathtaking as ever, gliding over to Caelum’s side with effortless grace. Her eyes flick to me, and her smile turns sharp. “Nice of you to finally join us, Eirabella,” she says, her tone dripping with false sweetness. “Though, it’s a shame you didn’t have time to freshen up after training. I’m sure Their Majesties would’ve waited.”
I stiffen, the implied insult crystal clear. But before I can retort, Alina jumps in. “Well, I think you look lovely, Eirabella.I’d like to see what you look like after an hour in the combat room with Chasina, Julietta.”
Julietta’s smile falters for a split second, but she recovers quickly, her gaze sliding away from me. I let out a quiet breath. I need to stop letting her get to me. And Alina’s quick defence of me with everyone surprises me, but I’m grateful for it. I’m not sure the dinner would be bearable without her.
The doors at the far end of the hall swing open, and everyone rises as the king and queen make their entrance. The king moves with ease, the queen clutching his arm as they approach the table, her steps slow and deliberate, smiling at everyone.
As they reach the head of the table, he pulls out her chair, guiding her gently into the seat. Once she’s settled, he doesn’t immediately take his own place. Instead, he pours her a cup of tea, setting it carefully before her, and places a hand lightly on her shoulder as she settles. Only when she smiles up at him and he’s sure she’s comfortable does he sit down beside her.
I watch the exchange with a mix of surprise and curiosity. They’re small gestures, but the care in his actions is undeniable. It makes me wonder if I’ve misjudged him, if there’s more to this king than I originally thought.
Dinner begins, and I keep my head down, focusing on the delicious food. I’m still not quite used to having a full three meals a day, of dishes Janus and I could only have dreamt of as we’d fill our bellies with the third day of just clear broth. I can feel a mixture of curious and glaring eyes on me, but I do my best to ignore them. To my surprise, though, during the main course, the king directs his attention toward me.
“Eirabella,” he says, his voice warm and friendly. “How are you finding your training?”
I glance up, meeting his gaze. There’s no malice there, only curiosity. I force myself to relax, though I remain on guard. “Honestly, it’s been challenging, Your Majesty,” I reply carefully. “But I’m doing my best.”
After a few moments, he leans forward slightly, his voice softer. “I was intrigued to hear about your magic being stripped from you when you were young. That must have been difficult.”
I swallow hard, caught off guard by the comment. “Yes, Your Majesty. It was during a fever that swept through our village one winter almost fifteen seasons ago. Almost everyone caught it, and many didn’t survive, my parents included.” I swallow, letting the surge of grief pass before I continue. “I was delirious for a week, and when I woke up, the healer told me that my magic had been drained, but that it might come back.”
“But it never did,” he finishes, his tone understanding.
I nod, offering a small, rueful smile. “No, it didn’t. But I did end up with these.” I tug lightly on a blue streak of hair, trying to make a joke of it. “Not much of a consolation prize, but I guess it’s something.”
The king chuckles, and I find myself smiling back, more comfortable than I’d expected to be. “Perhaps,” he says, “it was your body’s way of preserving some part of your power?”
