Page 15 of Wild Flame

Chapter Six

Afew days later, I sat in the shade of an overhanging tree by a small pool I had found in an obscure part of the sprawling palace gardens. In an effort to alleviate the oppressive heat, I had hiked my skirts up above my calves, yanked off my slippers, and was trailing my feet in the cool water. My chosen sanctuary was just off one of the dozens of winding paths and was surrounded by flowers, shrubs, and other tall trees. So much so that I was confident no one would stumble upon me by chance.

It was early evening, and everything was bathed in the warm colors of the setting sun. Even the water of the pool reflected them back to me. A white stone gazebo sat secluded on the other side of the pool. It was quiet, save for the sound of the lapping water and the hum of insects. I was totally alone.

I reveled in the solitude and tranquility around me. I hadn’t been alone or hardly had a moment to myself since I had sailed for Zehvi nearly two weeks ago. I was often alone back in Halmar. After completing my training with Silvanus and my mother’s lessons, unless I was required at some formal gathering or other, I was pretty much left to my own devices. And I hadgrown to like it that way. I wasn’t used to being around so many people. Between the constant celebrations and banquets every night, and Hilde and Nilfren’s disapproving stares—not to mention the many eyes on me wherever I went—it felt like I had been slowly suffocating. So finally, today, after the midday meal, I had made the excuse of being tired and went up to my rooms and sent my maids away. The second the doors were closed behind them, my mind drifted to what I could do. Then my eyes fell on my chamber’s open balcony doors and the gardens.

After collecting my guards and telling them to stay far back, I made my way out to the gardens.

Now, feeling a rare lightness in my chest, I began to hum the notes to a familiar song and then, a few lines in, I began to sing. The words fell from my lips into the quiet evening as I sang about a girl and the warrior she met by chance in a garden. It was a sweet, carefree tale with a tune to match, and it very much fit my mood.

I didn’t care if the guards heard me. I had loved to sing since I was a child, but I only ever did it for myself. Helene knew I sang, but it was rare I did it in front of her anymore. I had found myself singing less and less as I got older. Life . . . and my work for The Order had gotten in the way. In recent years, it had felt like the music had simply drained out of me. I no longer had a desire to sing.

As I sat there and eventually lay back on the grassy bank, I tried to recall the last time I had felt the urge to sing before today. I couldn’t remember. The thought soured my mood, and I drew the song to a close, my tone slightly softer and more subdued as I sang the final note.

“Beautiful,” a voice declared from close by.

I sat up with a gasp and turned to find Prince Malik standing several feet away. I had been so lost in the music and my own thoughts that I hadn’t noticed his approach. He had taken afew steps off the path and was staring at me with an expression that was hard to decipher—almost a mixture of fascination and pleased surprise.

“What are you doing here?” I snapped, feeling my face flush as I quickly removed my feet from the water, sloshing much of it on myself in the process, and pulled down my skirts.

The prince took in my movements with bemused eyes. “I didn’t mean to disturb you,” he said in that clear, slightly accented voice of his—the one I couldn’t help but think sounded like music of its own. “I often walk out here to clear my mind. Then I heard your voice . . .”

My blush deepened. I wasn’t entirely sure what to say in response, feeling oddly vulnerable, so I simply gave him my iciest stare as I got to my feet.

To my surprise and annoyance, he didn’t react to my glare. Instead, he took in my stiff posture and expression, and his own changed to amusement. I had to bite back the urge to ask him what he found so funny.

Once he seemed to realize that I had no intention of responding, he smiled disarmingly. “I didn’t realize you could sing, Princess.”

“And why should my singing surprise you?” I demanded, ignoring the way his smile made my belly clench.

“You just don’t seem the type.”

My back stiffened. “Well, there is a lot you don’t know about me, Your Majesty.”

He regarded me closely, those deep, golden-brown eyes boring into me. “I can see that. Do you ever perform?” he asked.

“Perform?”

“For your court or your family,” he clarified. “Do you ever perform for them?”

Startled by the question, I answered honestly. “Of course not. No one knows I sing—except my sister—and they wouldn’t care to hear from me even if they did.”

His heavy brows came together. “Why ever not? A gift such as yours should be shared and enjoyed. What little I heard would make The Maiden herself weep for joy. You have been blessed by the Nine. Surely your family would want—”

“Trust me, they wouldn’t,” I cut him off, an icy hollowness to my voice that I hated. For some reason I seemed to have a harder time masking my emotions around this man. “Now, if you will excuse me.” I made to move past him, back onto the path, but he stepped in front of me.

My eyes rose to his, and I tried not to notice the broadness of his chest, or the width of his shoulders, and especially not the sandalwood and amber scent wafting off him as he stepped close. But he was just sobig, I couldn’t help but think he would dwarf even Leif, or my father should they stand side by side.

“Yes?” I gritted out, trying to remember I was in a foreign kingdom and at present the future king of said kingdom stood before me. I couldn’t be rude, no matter how much his high-handed ways irritated me or how his nearness affected me.

His eyes danced with real humor now as he leaned down slightly so we were closer to eye level. “I believe you’re forgetting something, siren,” he murmured, tipping his chin behind me.

Annoyed at his use of a nickname, I was about to tell him off, but forgot all about it as I glanced over my shoulder and saw my slippers still sitting where I left them beside the pond. Together, we both glanced down at my bare feet currently peeking out from under my hem. My toes curled and my cheeks flamed, curse my fair complexion that didn’t hide anything.

I spun around and retrieved my shoes, slipping them on quickly and trying to avoid looking at the smirk I knew was on his face. I ignored him completely as I stepped onto the pathback towards the palace, intent on getting as far away from this man as possible. I barely took note of his guards and mine that waited further down the path.

“No need to run away on my account, Princess,” he said.

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