Page 12 of The Princess of Nothing
I sat on my hands, attempting to stop them from shaking. I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t. “I know what I did, but believe me, I didn’t want them to die or get hurt.” I cried. “It changed me, made me see things differently. I won’t be so trusting of people who have proven to be untrustworthy again. I love my kingdom. Growing up, I would go to the local towns with my mother, and the people were so hardworking. They made the most beautiful things and always stood by their faith. They were strong in the face of adversity. I respected them, and even though I was taught to fear some of the lower classes, I see I was misled. I can’t abandon them. Our faith and land are everything to us. I will not have Edgar, or anyone, take it away from them.” Tears ran down my cheeks. “I’m the only one who can stop it. I know I can bring the fae and lunas together too. It didn’t work before, but in time, Blaise will come around. I believe in uniting the kingdom for the first time in history.”
He remained silent. My breaths quickened.
I placed my hand over my heart. “I was stupid to trust him.”
His expression changed. The corners of his eyes softened, and his tight lips relaxed. He regarded me with a compassion I definitely didn’t deserve, but it was calming to see him look at me with anything other than the disappointment he’d had a couple of minutes ago.
“I shouldn’t be so hard on you. You were misguided.” He blew out a long breath. “Before we do anything else, we should go to elves, to make sure they’re alive, so you can explain.”
I looked down. “I know.”
“We will go to the Forest of Tranquillium. We’ll leave in the morning.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Ifelt like I was drowningonce we ducked under the canopy. Raindrops were caught on leaves, glistening under dappled sunlight. Dense foliage touched my legs and bare arms. It was claustrophobic. It was far more difficult this time, without Birch navigating. I pulled the map from my pocket and traced my finger along the X I’d made to mark the spot I thought the elves were. “It’s, um, south. I think.”
“Give me the map.” He extended his hand and gripped the edge. “Where you marked is to the east.”
“I’ve never been great with map-reading,” I admitted.
He arched a dark-blonde eyebrow. “You think?”
His gold hair reflected the light. Each shade was brighter than the next. He’d taken his ridiculous crown off, with some persuasion, but instead he had brought a huge bag packed with things we didn’t need. I patted my small bag and smiled. I’d always been practical, and as we maneuvered through thick vegetation, I could see Cedric was not. Sweat glistened on his skin. He rolled the sleeves of his shirt up and fought through the large leaves and vines.
The air smelled like rain and damp moss. However, the lingering scent of rotting plants took a moment to adjust to. The backs of my legs ached, and the heat became intolerable at times. I stopped to drink, but somehow it never felt like enough water.
Holding onto my staff, which I’d uncloaked once we’d reached the forest, I pointed it at the impassable overgrowth and pulled the life from them until they wilted and died, easing the path ahead for us.
“Don’t do that,” he berated.
“Why not?”
“We need leaves, Winter. They’re alive. Just don’t.”
I could see it bothered him, so I made a note not to do it again while with him. He was similar to Birch in a way, caring for nature.
