Page 47 of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash

‘It is just an undergarment.’

‘Swimming naked is one of the most pleasurable activities one can do, especially at night, princess.’

Heat coiled up Alina’s spine like a serpent, slithering beneath her skin and tightening its grasp around her throat. ‘I am glad to hear that you find the activity so enjoyable, wyverian. I find myself occupied by more important matters to have the time to swim naked.’

Kai let out a sudden, unrestrained laugh, rich and deep.

‘And what exactly does the princess do that occupies her time so much?’

‘Well, believe it or not, there are many tasks that must be attended to, which the queen cannot.’

‘Such as?’

Annoyance flared within her. She turned towards him sharply, water rippling around her waist. ‘Such as… Feasts like the one you enjoyed tonight do not plan themselves. Someone must sort out the themes, the colours, choose the flowers, what food shall be eaten and…’ Alina stopped abruptly at the sight of Kai’s expression. Her face darkened. ‘Are you mocking me?’

‘No, I would not dare.’

‘You are. You think that what I do is silly.’

Her shoulders slumped slightly.Was it silly?Her entire life had been dedicated to the careful curation of beauty—dresses, hairstyles, the etiquette of court. There was nothing else. No greater purpose.

But then, Kai’s voice softened. ‘My sister loves planning events.’ A pause. ‘There is nothing wrong with loving something and putting effort into it.’

Alina exhaled, long and slow, before the words left her lips unbidden, spilling forth like a confession. ‘And yet, I hate it. I hate everything about it. Spending hours sitting and pointingat fabrics and flowers… for what purpose? Surely life must mean more than wearing a beautiful dress or making others jealous of what I have. What is the point in any of it?’

It struck her then—how much she had just revealed. How utterly ridiculous she must seem, standing there in the water, bare-shouldered and vulnerable, confessing her loathing of her own existence to a prince she barely knew.What is wrong with me?Ever since the wyverians had arrived, something inside her had begun toshift.

A voice shattered the moment.

‘Alina!’

The name cut through the night like a blade, freezing her in place.

The water seemed to turn to ice, anchoring her feet to the seabed. Slowly, dread curling in her stomach, she turned towards the shore.

Hagan stood at the water’s edge, his face a storm of fury and barely contained worry.

Her body tensed. Was he alone? Or had he brought the entire Red Guard with him, ready to drag her from the water in disgrace?

‘Get out of the water immediately!’

Kai moved beside her, slow and deliberate, his presence solid and unwavering. His voice was a blade wrapped in silk. ‘You don’t have to do as he commands, princess.’

Alina’s chin lifted. ‘He does not command me.’

The flicker of something unreadable passed over Kai’s face, but she had no time to dwell on it. What choice did she have? She had been caught swimming—nearly naked—with the enemy prince, the man her family had been forced to accept into their bloodline. She was a living scandal waiting to happen.

She moved towards the shore, the weight of the momentpressing down upon her, and Kai followed, unhurried, unfazed. It was almost comical to see the flash of dismay on Hagan’s face when he realised the wyverian prince was entirely,unapologeticallynaked.

‘Alina…’ Hagan’s teeth ground together.

Kai’s voice was velvet and steel. ‘Shouldn’t you address her properly?’

‘The princess went missing and is found here, alone with…’ Hagan’s hands clenched into fists.

‘And yet, I do not see anyone else searching for her.’ Kai turned his back on him, utterly dismissive as he pulled on his clothes. Then, just as he fastened his belt, he cast Alina a knowing wink.

She stiffened. The casual, teasing nature of it set something alight in her chest—something sharp and infuriating.Did he think everything was a joke?

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