Page 9 of Winds of Destiny

“My deepest apologies,” I say, inclining my head as far as I can while still sitting. I’m not going to risk standing up and making someone think I might be going for a weapon. “It’s true that we’ve come to your presence still bloody from the fight. I weighed the insults of being late to your presence versus coming to you bearing the signs of conflict and thought you would prefer to see us sooner rather than later. If I have erred in judgment, I can only say it will not happen again.”

I look directly at Prince Camrael when I say the next part. “Given the state of the warrior I saw leave the throne room just before we were shown in, I hadn’t thought that being bloody would offend your royal sensibilities.”

“Don’t talk about Turo like you know him,” the prince snaps at me.

Ah, I’m beginning to see things more clearly now. Prince Camrael has a lover already. Far from dismaying me, it delights me. The man in question—Turo—is not only a pleasure to look at, but he was also very impressive during the fight. It might help my cause to say as much.

“I know a few things about him,” I say. “I know that he’s a warrior of great skill and courage. I know that he’s a loyal subject who clearly holds you in high esteem. I know that he was good friends with Lord Doric, whom I also called friend by the end of our journey together. If Lord Turo is to join us in our voyage to Huridell, then I count us fortunate to have him.”

Prince Camrael’s mouth drops open; he’s stunned. Excellent. Taking advantage of his silence, I tuck into the fish. It’s delicious, delicately spiced and grilled to perfection. I swallow, then say, “Not quite as good as the blood of my enemies, but given that I have none here, I find it quite acceptable.”

The crown princess smiles at me. “Very well said, sir. We all hope you and your men enjoy it.”

“Yes,” the prince says, recovered enough to stab into his own fish so hard his fork scrapes across the plate. “Be careful you don’t choke on it.”

“Oh, I shall be,” I assure him. He glares at me. I wink, and his glare turns confused.

Good. If I can jolt him enough to make him forget how he thinks heoughtto feel about me, perhaps we won’t end up trying to kill each other on the trip back to Huridell.

Chapter Six

Cam

My sister, ever gracious, waits until dinner is over and we’re finally walking back to the family suites before smacking me upside the back of the head.

“Ow!” Gilraen hasn’t done that since we were children and Iaccidentallyspilled squid ink on her favorite dress.

“It’s the least you deserve after that assault over dinner,” she tells me, her eyes doing far more to chide me than her words do. My sister has the most expressive eyes I’ve ever seen. Right now, they’re expressing her desire to beat some more sense into me. I step out of range just in case. “These are not just diplomatic guests, Cam, they’re representing yourfiancé.We need to be polite to them.”

“Iwaspolite.”

“You were a terror.”

Pfft.“I didn’t blow any of them out of their chairs, did I?”

Gilraen blinks for a second, then smiles at me with delight. “Are you that strong now, really?”

“I am.” At least, I can do it when the other option is being kidnapped by an enemy king. I didn’t tell my father that part, or Turo. Why bother? It won’t change anything, especially with my father. He knows there are Kamorans lurking around out there in the guise of “bandits.” Surely it doesn’t matter if one of them is the king or not? “It takes a lot of effort, but I can do it.”

“That’s fantastic!” She stops walking and actually pulls me into a hug. I go, a little surprised at how easily her head fits under my chin. My sister has the depth and serenity of the ocean itself, and it makes her seem larger than she really is.

“I’m so pleased for you!” she continues. “I’ve been working on it as well, of course, but I can barely get a feather to fly around a room before I need a break. There are children being tested every day at the Temple of Ophiucas in the market who do better than that, but I’ve not heard of anyone who can move an entire person.”

For twenty years, since the everwinds stopped blowing,ourability to generate wind stopped as well. A gift that used to be as common as freckles or especially good eyesight suddenly vanished, even from those who were adepts, although our father has kept enough of his abilities to make it clear why he’s the king. He can stir flags and make the ceremonial bells chime, but that’s as far as anyone except for me has gotten—so far.

It’s only in the past few years that people, almost all children, began manifesting it again. Gilraen is fascinated by the subject, and she works closely with the priests to test for and track those who are showing the ability once more. The fact that she isn’t envious that I’ve moved beyond her ability makes me hold her a bit tighter.

“I can work with you on—” I begin, then stop. I can’t work on anything with her, not now that I’m off to Huridell. To lose the comfort of my sister and her family on top of being told to let go of Turo… It’s too much. Suddenly I’m so hurt and furious I can barely speak.

A fierce breeze appears out of nowhere, whirling around us and tugging on our hair and clothes. My sister watches with wide eyes as our long, dark strands mingle in the air between us. “Oh, Cam.” She puts a reassuring hand on my face, and slowly the wind dies.

“Come to my rooms,” she says, taking my arm once more and leading me in the direction of her suite.

“No, it’s late, I should—”Go and find Turo.

“You should come with me.”

“But the children will be in bed.”

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