Page 46 of Winds of Darkness
“Did you find a reprieve when you came here tonight?” Briar asked, back to letting his magic wind between his fingers, small droplets landing on the sand as it moved.
“Not particularly. Not until—”
She cut herself off, because even she could recognize how inappropriate that sounded. How it was something that shouldn’t be entertained.
Thatcouldn’tbe entertained.
“Until what?” Briar asked.
“There is no hiding from the winds,” she answered instead. “What are you running from this night, Prince?”
“Briar,” he corrected with a small smile.
He let his magic dissipate before leaning back on his hands.Stretching his legs out before him, he stared out at the sea. He was completely relaxed and at peace alongside the element he commanded. She used to have that with the winds. Walking among them was a freedom she’d cherished, and their whispered secrets had made her feel special as a child. A gift when so much had been taken from her. As she’d aged, they’d become as much a part of her as her silver hair and lilting voice. But they’d also become as symbolic as her title. The Wind Princess and Wind Walker. That was what she was to most.
“Ruling is a privilege we are given,” Briar said into the summer night. “But some days, it is heavy and feels more like a burden. Would you agree?”
“I would,” she replied without question. “But if I am adding to that burden—”
“You are not,” he interrupted, pinning her with soulful eyes. “I have lived far more decades than you and know this cycle well. Times change. Trials come. Peace reigns, until it doesn’t. I can feel the shift, and so can you.”
“You believe me,” she said in realization, staring back at him.
He nodded. “Many feel it, but many also choose not to acknowledge it. I cannot entirely blame them. I can see the value in clinging to the peaceful times before they are gone, but we do not get such a privilege.”
“Because we have the privilege of ruling,” she said softly.
“Exactly,” he replied. “You are wise beyond your years, Ashtine. Do not doubt yourself.”
“A task easier spoken than carried out.”
“Agreed.”
She relaxed more, wondering just how long they could sit on a shore before either of their Courts realized their sovereign was missing.
“I find it doubtful that is what is keeping you from sleep this night,” she said after several minutes of comfortable silence.
“Because you are wise beyond your years,” Briar replied.
“You tease again,” she said, but she felt a small smile pull at herlips. Briar only smiled as well, continuing to stare out at the gently rolling waves. Her head tilted, silver hair slipping over her shoulder. “Do you do this often?”
“Do what?”
“Sit on the beach in the night with another and tease them?”
Briar slowly turned to face her again and studied her for a long minute. She wasn’t sure why, but usually when someone did that it was because she said something they found odd.
Finally, he answered, “I often find myself on the beach. It does not matter the time of day. Rarely with another. If there is, it is often Sawyer or Sorin.”
Ashtine nodded, processing all of that before she said, “How does the Fire Prince fare?”
“How is Queen Semiria?” Briar countered.
That was a fair response. The Fae Queen and the Fire Prince had been close. Mentor and mentee for all of Talwyn’s childhood. Ashtine had often found herself jealous of their relationship. Ermir was like a father, but the Fire Prince and Talwyn had been different. Niece and uncle, perhaps? Again, Ashtine wouldn’t know, but the sudden disappearance of Queen Eliné had left their relationship broken. She wasn’t sure it would ever be repaired at this point.
“Talwyn has the Earth Prince. Azrael is a knowledgeable and loyal Second,” Ashtine answered. As an afterthought, she added, “And she has Tarek.”
Briar nodded. “Having people who care is only valuable if one is willing to let them do so.”
