Page 94 of Princess of Air

“Of course.” She curtsies and presses her lips together as she looks at me inquisitively.

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry if it’s improper to ask… but are you going to try to win the trial?”

A smile threatens to break through as I sit down. “I’ve been trying all along, of course.”

“Of course.” Lucy gives me a knowing grin. “Good luck then.”

Alone, I sip the tea and bow my head. Does everyone think I can do this? Can I, really? There’s only one way to find out.

I eat my breakfast and escape via my balcony.

The wind welcomes me back with all the playful excitement of a puppy. I stretch my arms up and back as it carries me away. A deep breath tastes like freedom. Freedom I won’t have quite so much of if I’m queen. But for now, I can twirl around in midair, carefree and relaxed. Trees and meadows, villages and farms whisk by below me. It’s a beautiful place, and I don’t see it from this vantage point nearly enough. Alchos would be worth the work and stress and torment. I’d do anything for this kingdom. The reasons to step aside were all rather selfish. And cowardly. I’m better than that.

I will be better than that.

This is a delightful way to get around, but I usually take a horse for this distance. That’s why I don’t immediately realize where I’m going.

“Oh, no. No! Stop it right now!” I pull myself upright, try to push my feet against the direction I’m being taken, to redirect myself, but the situation is beyond my control. “This is utterly absurd!”

My feet land softly. I push away, but the air refuses to lift me. “Fantastic. I’m not the most powerful at all! I only have the strongest element.” A sweet breeze brushes my cheek like a kiss. “Unfortunately, it’s also the most obstinate! Let me go!” I try to rise off the floor again to no avail. “I’ll jump! I know you won’t let me die.” I lean over the balcony—or try to. My face hits a wall of air with a thud, and I gasp and gape at… nothing visible. “How dare you!”

“How dare I what?”

I whirl around to face Tomas. Of course, I wouldn’t be lucky enough for him to not be in his rooms. The air probably knew he was here. “I wasn’t shouting at you.”

“That’s unusual.” Despite the light tone, his eyes hold concern as he walks toward me. “How are you doing, Bell?”

“I’m fine.” I was, anyway. Even out on his balcony, us being alone in his rooms is too similar to being together in mine. That last time when we’d made love and I decided to pursue a future with him plays in my mind. This proximity to him makes my throat tighten. He’s my weakness. Why would the ridiculous air bring me to him when I’m trying to get ready for the trial?

“You looked to be in agony during the last trial.” He scans me for injuries, and my skin prickles under his gaze. “Were you burnt?”

“No. It was how our magic was going against each other. I can’t explain it. Really, though. I’m fine.”

“And about Jamys?”

I close my eyes for a breath. “It’s very sad.”

“Yes, it is.” He looks away and rubs the back of his neck. After a dragging silence, he says, “I may go back to Lambridge for a while. I hate being useless when they have so many unsolved problems.”

“Is there anything you can do?”

“I don’t know, but I’d rather be there trying.” His eyes go distant, making him look more haunted than he should be. He wasn’t at fault for any of the problems out there the way my siblings and I were.

“So would I.”

Despite its warmth, his gaze sends a chill down my neck. “If you'd like, we could go together. After— Oh, but do you expect to be able to after the final trial?”

A loaded question if ever I’ve heard one. I run my tongue over my teeth and raise my chin. “It seems like a perfectly reasonable thing for the heir to the throne to do.”

His eyebrows raise slightly. “Are you really…”

“Going to compete to the best of my ability? Of course. I have been all along.” I wink, but his expression remains serious.

“Why?”

Blue eyes make me think it’s because of him. Because he thinks I should, or because as heir I could choose who I marry. But that isn’t really why. After all, it may not be necessary. I want to do this for the right reasons. “For Alchos.”

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