Page 25 of To Catch a Prince

“At the end of that test, they said I was an Enchantress. I don’t quite know how, but since then, my spells are quite a bit more powerful. For example, the way I froze you all just yesterday?” she smiled. “Just a little binding spell cast in half a second. I’ve tried it a time or two, in our travels, when gentlemen were being a little too friendly towardsAleria.”

“A very useful spell,” her sisteradmitted.

“So, that’s it. Just atest?”

She hadn’t lied directly; just omitted a little detail, for how was she supposed to say that she had made peace with her owndeviousness.

Closing her eyes, she could feel it just there, carefully watching her again. The shadow was with her at every stepnow.

“A test that made me confront my own subconscious. My own fears. Handling it properly unlocked my potential, from what Iunderstand.”

Again, a half-truth, but a truth,nonetheless.

The, she turned to Aleria. “You’ve attended and helped countless births back home. Perhaps, if Demelza were to be favorable to the idea, you could try to see if you can be ofhelp?”

Her sister flushed. “Malek is very far from Farden, and I wouldn’t call myself an expert,” she cautioned, “but if I can be of any aid during our stay, I certainlyshall.”

“During your stay?” cried Xandrie. “Surely, you don’t mean to return home! To Malek? To the smallest, most insignificant hamlet, where no one cares for…” she caught herself. “Of course. Silly me. Our parents do care for you.” She laughed at herself. “Never mind me, I’m simplyprojecting.”

Talia exchanged a glance withAleria.

“I’m not returning to Malek. Our parents do care a great deal about what we can bring to our family’s good name; I wouldn’t say they care for me. For any of us. Not since Damion leftus.”

She didn’t say ‘die’, although their brother was most probably gone from this world. None of them ever pronounced that word. Not having seen his body allowed them to half-delude themselves, and they chose to doso.

“So, where do you plan ongoing?”

Aleria shrugged. “I’ve never traveled much, until now. There’s a big world to discover. I’m sure I’ll find my place.” She dropped her gaze. “Besides, if there’s achance…”

She left it at that and nothing else needed to be said. If there was a chance that their brother was alive somewhere, she would endeavor to findhim.

Talia added, “And I’m bound to every Kingdom; if there’s a call for aid, I’m to set off immediately. I was thinking of returning to Leyres and making my locationknown.”

“Now that’s quite ridiculous. Aleria, at least, had a half-baked excuse. If she’s taken by wanderlust, she’s very welcome to go and consider this kingdom her home when she’s tired of traveling. But if you’re to claim a home, it may as well behere.”

Xandrie turned to her husband, who took her hand and inclined his head, before looking back toTalia.

“Your being pledged to the mortal realms is of no consequence. We wouldn’t keep you to ask your help; my wife’s sister is family.” He said it like it settled the issue in his mind. “You’ll always have a home with us. Here at the palace or anywhere you choose in ourKingdom.”

She smiled shyly. Truthfully, she hadn’t even considered the possibility of actually staying in these foreign lands; dragons were known to be territorial, dangerous, and wary of strangers. But they were opening their arms to her. It meant more than she could say. And it also solidified herresolve.

When she’d listened to her sister’s tale, she immediately realized where her duty lay. There was a powerful creature intending to cause them harm - otherwise, why would she have pulled down their defense? They couldn’t do a thing against such force butshecertainly could; or at least, she could try herbest.

Talia wasn’t stupid, so she didn’t voice her intentions, but as the newest Enchantress, her duty was to attempt to vanquish it when it appearedagain.

The reality of it crashed down on her. Now, it wasn’t just stories of great deeds told in a classroom. She was to set off and face a power no one had quiteunderstood.

She forced a smile. “I’d be glad to stay,” she said - another half-truth. She would be glad, if shecould.

But she had to head out. And truth was, she might not comeback.

15

The Shop

The hour spentin the King’s drawing room a few days ago, listening in to the sisters’ talk, had been quite enlightening. He knew a lot more about Talia at the end of the meeting. For one, the woman was no liar; quite a feat, for someone who’d avoided telling the truth at all turns. Suddenly, she was most definitely up to something, something she wouldn’tdisclose.

Vincent and his dragon were in agreement: she was to be followed, closely. They were also in agreement about the fact that the self-imposed task was hardly a hardship. The woman was pretty enough to look at and her proximity pleasedhim.

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