Page 62 of Falling Princess

“Think about how much easier it would be to repel an attack if we had proper weaponry.”

“You’ve seen pictures of Europe after the World Wars. Japan after the U.S. bombed it. Iraq. Afghanistan. Vietnam. We’ve studied these,” he said.

“What of it?”

Lorcan cocked his head. His notebook remained closed, and all his adorable margin sketches hidden from my view. It’s too bad. They’re the best part of studying with him. That, and having an excuse to bask in his full attention without worrying about Raina’s feelings.

I will not selfishly indulge myself by reading more into Lorcan’s attentiveness than is warranted, as tempting as it is. The crush will fade when he returns to his family and I return to the castle this summer.

“Those countries were environmentally, economically, and socially devastated thanks to ‘proper weaponry,’ Princess.”

It took a moment for my brain to catch up with what he’s saying instead of watching his mouth while daydreaming about what it would be like to kiss him.

Ugh. Get a grip, Zosia. He is your appointed knight, and you hated his guts a month ago, I mentally scolded myself.You don’t deserve what you have, much less have any right to want more.

“Let’s hold off on the argument portion of this paper, shall we? That’s where we got into trouble last term.”

Lorcan’s knowing little smirk made me itch to smack him. For a guy who barely spoke to me all last semester and half of this one, he sure is good at getting under my skin with minimal effort.

You’re enjoying this, aren’t you.Remembering his answering yes still sent a hot thrill through me, even now. Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer. He likes to annoy me.

This is impossible. I might as well accept another terrible grade, which I will earn for entirely different reasons this term. Working together was almost easier when I resented Lorcan for existing in my general vicinity.

Maybe if we started with his section, he could take point on revisions while I worked on getting my mind out of the gutter.

Fortunately, Lorcan had his laptop open and was busy typing while I sat there, mooning.

“How’s this? Better?” Lorcan slid his laptop over to me. We could have put a bit more distance between ourselves by sitting opposite, but I chose my seat, and Lorcan slipped into the one next to me as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

If my breath hitched, I’m sure he didn’t notice.

I read through the updated paragraphs. It’s a concise summary of the origins of our country and culture: The matrilineal royal line is directly descended from the Sun Goddess Auralia. The Golden Goddess (as she is also known) is associated with the earth, harvests and fertility—ironic, isn’t it, that her supposed line has so few descendants? —symbolized by the sun and the royal violet.

The other two goddesses are Reila, goddess of prophecy, water and hunting, symbolized by the moon, revered by the Myseci (Moon) tribe, and Astra, goddess of the winds, skies, and stars. While primarily influenced by Greek and Egyptian mythology, Auralian culture also has ties to the Slavic Vucedol, the backbone of our language.

I don’t know how Lorcan pulled this particular quote out of his ass so quickly, but it hit home, hard: “Primary motifs are interdependency, protection and balance. Self-sacrifice for the collective good is traditionally emphasized, versus Western culture’s emphasis on individuality.”

Did he do it on purpose to underscore how selfish I’ve been?

I’m supposed to be a living goddess sacrificing everything for my country, but all I could think about are my science projects and maybe a chance to make out with a guy I like before I have to marry someone I don’t.

Lorcan really knows how to twist the knife, I mused.

“What do you think?” he asked, uncharacteristically impatient.

“I’m not finished reading.”

Continuing: According to legend, the Sun Goddess took mortal form to lead her followers to safety. Upon landing at the base of the Mountain of Fire, she led them into the interior of the island where she was attacked by the mordecam, a mythical creature. A human man saved her, and the first Auralia fell in love with her protector, thus founding the Auralian royal family. The queen, or princess, if she is not yet crowned, is also the country’s high priestess and is revered as a living goddess.

Legends say that as long as Goddess Auralia’s line remains unbroken, the country will thrive. If the matrilineal line falls, so will her namesake country. At present, Auralia has had continuous birthright leadership for over five thousand years.

“Where are you getting these quotations from?” I asked.

Lorcan shrugs. “I remember them from Cata’s books.”

“Oh, that makes sense. She loves the old legends. We’ll need proper citations, of course.” The lack of supporting research was one thing that tanked our grade last term. Not that it’s easy to supply references to books that have never been published outside of Auralia.

“These sound like verbatim quotes,” I added.

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