Princess Willowyn's Arc

Chapter 10 of 70

The morning after Kai said no, Willowyn did not go to the coast at dusk. She stayed in her chambers and held his white minx in her lap. The small animal pressed its nose to her wrist. Willowyn stroked its pale fur and told herself Kai did not deserve to see her. He had refused her twice. Let him wonder where she was. The next dusk she stayed away again. She sat at her window and watched the lanterns move along the shore. Her chest hurt with every hour she did not go. On the third morning she carried water to the workers as her mother's rule required. A guard stood near, so she kept silent and moved from man to man. She lifted her hand and drew the spring water into each cup without spilling a drop. The workers thanked her. She did not answer. Then Kai stepped into the line. His dark cloak hung damp from the sea work. His face was tired, and something in it had gone soft with worry. He watched her the way a person watches a door they hope will open. "You did not come," he said. His voice stayed low so the guard would not hear. "Two nights now. I waited both." Willowyn kept her eyes on the water she was pouring. She would not let him see how much the words reached her. "I understand you are upset with me," Kai said. "But I cannot bend your fate. And I will not be held to blame if something happens to you." He said it plainly, not to wound her, but because he believed it. Willowyn looked at him then. Two days remained before his ship sailed. She had spent two of her last nights hiding, punishing him, and it had bought her nothing but the ache of missing him. She saw that clearly now. Her anger had only stolen time she could not get back. She lifted her hand once more. The spring water rose in a clean ribbon and filled his cup to the brim. She did not spill it. She gave him a quick, small smile. "Enjoy the spring water, Kai," she said. She said nothing more. She moved to the next man and poured. The guard shifted, and the moment closed. Kai stood holding his full cup, watching her walk down the line. Willowyn felt the change settle in her chest as she worked. She had wasted two nights on a hurt that helped no one. That was over. She would not spend Kai's last day sulking behind vines or windows. The peace she dreamed of bringing to kingdoms would not come from nursing wounds. It would come from acting while there was still time. Two days remained. She meant to use them.