“And,” he continued, “I am also sorry that your mother was called away again so soon. Duty is an unforgiving taskmaster and often comes with a steep price, especially for those left behind.” He spoke as if he truly understood, as someone who had paid that price; not like so many who just used the words as a way to start a conversation. So sorry your mother had to leave you again and may never return. But did you see Lady Oria’s dress last night? It caused such a scandal. A shadow crossed his face, a darkness made of sadness and pain and fear that called to her own.
Careful, Evelayn warned herself. Just because he knows what to say and how to say it, doesn’t guarantee he means it. He could just be a fantastic actor. The silence stretched out as she warred with herself, wavering between answering with her usual diplomatic niceties or actually giving him a true answer—speaking to him as she would a friend. Which meant speaking to him like he was Ceren, for she was Evelayn’s only true friend.
Before she could decide, his eyes shuttered and his face settled into a mask of neutrality. “Thank you for letting me speak my mind, Your Highness. I won’t take up any more of your time.” Lord Tanvir bowed stiffly to her and turned to walk away, when she finally found her voice.
“My lord …” The words were slightly hoarse. “Please don’t go.”
He paused and then faced her once more, his expression still guarded.
“Thank you.” She took a hesitant step toward him, all too aware of each breath he took and the way he watched her, like he could see so much more than just her face. Remembering all too vividly the feel of his arm around her, his body pressed against her back when he had beat her during training. “And I am also sorry for my behavior last night—for jumping to conclusions.”
“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” He lifted his brows, a spark of hope softening his amber eyes, and Evelayn found herself smiling again. He had quite a talent for getting her to smile.
“I believe it does, my lord.”
He smiled back at her, and it was like the sun bursting on the horizon, bringing light to a new day.
Careful, tread slowly, that voice in her mind warned her still. But as they headed back to the castle, Evelayn didn’t just walk beside Lord Tanvir, she tumbled forward into something new and exciting, foreign and terrifying. If only her mother were there to talk with—to ask her if this was what it had felt like when she’d met her father. A pang of regret darkened Evelayn’s mood instantaneously.
Lord Tanvir glanced down at her and his smile slipped. She hadn’t taken care to guard her expression. But then he smiled once more, this time a smug little grin.
“I’ve heard rumors of how fast you can run,” he said. Which was not at all what she had expected him to say.
“That is the rumor,” she agreed cautiously. All Draíolon were fast, but she was considered the fastest at the castle. At least, she had yet to be bested in a footrace.
“I quite enjoy running myself.”
“Is that why were you out so early yesterday?”
“Indeed,” Tanvir agreed. “So … would you care to race me?”
“Now?”
He nodded.
“Like this?” She gestured to her training leathers.
“What better outfit to wear than one that is already sweaty and dirty? Would you prefer a dress and dancing slippers?”
Evelayn glared. “Did you just call your crown princess dirty?”
“I believe I did.” Tanvir grinned, unrepentant. “First one to the southeast door wins.”
A surge of adrenaline washed through Evelayn’s limbs, making her itch to take off, even though only a few minutes ago she’d been thinking about how tired she was after the training session. “And what does the winner get?”
“I didn’t take you for the betting type.” Lord Tanvir’s eyes lit up with a wicked gleam.
“It makes my impending victory that much sweeter,” Evelayn baited him. She couldn’t believe her own daring. She’d never spoken to a male Draíolon this way before. It sent a thrill through her when he took a step closer and bent toward her.
Lord Tanvir lowered his voice. “Then I better make sure it’s worth it.”
Evelayn held his gaze. “If I win, you have to run with me for a week.”
His eyebrows lifted again. “That doesn’t sound like a punishment to me.”
“If you come, the sentries won’t have to trail me, slowing me down or getting left behind and lost.”
“Ah,” Tanvir said knowingly. “Well, if I win, I get to take you on a private picnic to a place of my choosing.”
It was Evelayn’s turn to raise her eyebrows. “That doesn’t sound like a punishment to me, either.”
He flashed that same grin, full of sunshine and heat, at her. “Then we have no reason to bemoan losing. Are we agreed?”
“Yes.”
She’d barely spoken the word when he shouted, “Then go!” and took off at a dead run.
Cheater, she wanted to yell, but instead she saved her breath and shot after him.
At first her legs protested being pushed further, but a familiar calm quickly descended over her. When Evelayn ran, everything seemed clearer. The world sharpened around her; her breathing settled into a rhythm along with her heartbeat. And now with her new abilities, she was even faster than she had been before—her body seemed to have new amounts of strength and endurance. The trees blurred as she raced toward Tanvir, quickly gaining on him, despite his head start. They shot past General Kelwyn and Dela, who cried out in surprise, jumping out of their way.
He was fast—faster than many of the sentries assigned to guard her who lagged behind on her runs—but she was faster. She was sure of it. The castle loomed ahead, but she’d already come up on him so that they ran side by side for a moment, breath for breath, stride for stride, flying through the forest. They sprinted so quickly she could barely see individual trees or bushes or flowers; instead they blurred together into a glimmering tapestry of color and scents that filled her lungs and sent her blood singing through her veins.
Tanvir glanced over at her just as they exited the forest and streaked toward the castle. She winked at him. His eyes widened in surprise, and she couldn’t help but laugh as she kicked her heels up even higher and pulled away from him, leaving him several body lengths behind her as she slammed to a halt, slapping her hand against the door.
Evelayn spun to face Tanvir just as he reached the door, a triumphant grin on her face.
“Looks like you get to go running with me tomorrow,” she crowed.
“Looks like I need the extra conditioning,” he replied, one hand on his side, breathing heavily, but a smile still on his face.
“Your Highness!”
Evelayn barely refrained from jumping when Tyne somehow materialized at her side, a stern look pulling her eyebrows down. “I’ve been looking for you, Your Highness. We must hurry if you are to be ready in time for the council meeting. With your mother away again, you must sit in her place. And then we must finish preparing the baskets to take to the families of the wounded. You cannot be late, if you are to return in time for supper.”
The exultation of winning slid away, as did Evelayn’s smile. No more running and laughing and teasing. It was time for her to become the proper, refined young princess of éadrolan again.