night, and our strange isolation—the only two living creatures within the circle of our firelight—and by the unexpected sense of camaraderie that had gripped us. “I’m surprised they chose to send their heir.”
“I suspect King Edward expected them to send Percy,” he said, still not meeting my eyes. “But he reckoned without a mother’s heart. Percy was only six and very much a mother’s boy. He was only two when the twins were born, and he used to cling to her after that.” He paused and shook his head. “He would have hated being sent away, and I’m sure she couldn’t bear the thought of making him go.” His usual grin resurfaced. “Whereas I thought it sounded like an exciting adventure, so that no doubt eased her conscience. My father was likely convinced because it was only supposed to be for a year.”
“A year?” I was surprised enough to interrupt him. “But you were there for eight.”
He gave me an easy smile. “You’ve been to Trione—you remember what it’s like. Palinar has always been the mightiest of our kingdoms, but Trione has always shone the brightest. It’s an easy place to love, and a hard place to leave. And Teddy and Millie could keep pace with me when Percy and the twins could not. I begged to be allowed to stay, and my parents indulged me. And then one year rolled into another…” He shrugged.
“You must miss it,” I said softly.
“I do,” he replied after a thoughtful pause. “But I’ve been back for three years now, and I am learning to love my own kingdom as well. It’s a different sort of love—one that has more to do with roots and responsibilities than freedom and wings and the sun shining on the sea. But I think it will grow to be a deeper love.”
He laughed suddenly. “Listen to me. A bit of darkness and a few flames, and I’m turning into a philosopher.”
“No, I understand,” I said. “My mother always taught me that it is a ruler’s role to serve their people and their kingdom. In caring for them we find our own satisfaction and joy.”
“She was always a kind woman,” Gabe said, his eyes fixed on me now, and a cold spear thrust into my heart, freezing the warmth of the moment.
I had let myself be lulled into forgetfulness, pulled into the past. I had allowed myself to become the person I used to be, and I had forgotten for an instant the tragedy that had destroyed that princess. I had no wish to be any kind of ruler now—my tasks at the haven were service enough for me.
“The swans will likely not be back until morning,” I said, the ice coming out in my voice. “We should sleep.”
Gabe frowned slightly, his eyes examining my face, but when he opened his mouth, I pointedly turned away, and he let it go, remaining silent. I lay down on my pallet and told myself firmly that I had nothing to feel guilty about. I had enough troubles today without his bringing up the troubles of my past.
We had woken, completed a cursory wash, and eaten a light breakfast before the swans touched back down in the lake. One, two, three, four, five, I counted them all, a small ball of pressure in the back of my mind easing at their safe return. I wished I could ask where they had spent the night, but I had no way to understand the answer to such a complicated question. Instead I welcomed them back and then limited my questions to the task at hand.
“Did you find any strange animals?” I bugled.
Shadow’s head dipped down and struck the water once. Gabe and I exchanged a brief look. Success.
“Wolves?” I asked, and she struck the water once again.
“Could you lead us to them, do you think? Were they in their den?”
She hesitated this time, and I reminded myself to keep my questions simple. I re-asked just the first one, and this time she gave a confident tap of the water.
Once again I expected Gabe to go rushing off, but he showed no inclination to do so. After gravely thanking Shadow, he suggested we make our way into Brylee.
“We’ll need more supplies before attempting our own scouting mission,” he said. “And it would be safest if we speak with Audrey, at least, first, and let her know our intentions.”
I issued no objections, so we were soon on our way. When we arrived at the haven, however,