Princess Willowyn's Arc

Chapter 34 of 70

The prince slept now, healed. His parents led Willowyn and Raven up a dark stone stair to a room high in the castle. The queen's blonde hair caught the torchlight as she opened the door. Inside, a fire burned. Two beds stood ready. "Stay as long as you need," she said. "You have our thanks and our roof." The queen brought a tray. She set it on a low table and handed Willowyn a warm glass of cocoa and a plate of scones. Steam rose from both. "If you need anything, call for us," the queen said. She touched Willowyn's cheek once, then left and closed the door. Willowyn held the glass but did not drink. She stared into the fire. The green fox curled at Raven's feet, its vines shifting in the heat. The pale minx climbed into Willowyn's lap and pressed its nose to her wrist. "You saved their son," Raven said. She pulled off her hat and set it on the bed. "You earned a soft bed. Take it." She broke a scone in half and fed a piece to the fox. "You've barely spoken since the light." "I keep thinking about Kai," Willowyn said. She stroked the minx. "He gave me this animal. He told me he was a soldier for Ashowaye." She looked up. "We crossed an ocean, Raven. He could be near." Raven chewed slowly. "You crossed an ocean to heal the lands. Not to chase a boy." Her voice went flat and cold, the way it did when she wanted a subject closed. But she watched Willowyn's face, and her eyes softened. "You won't rest until you look." "No." Raven sighed and lay back on the bed. "Then look. Tomorrow. Ask the king how to reach Ashowaye. He owes you his heir. He'll draw you a road." Willowyn set the glass down. For the first time since the tower, she felt awake for a reason. "Tomorrow we ask the king," she said. "If Kai fights for Ashowaye, the king will know the way there." The fire cracked. The minx settled against her chest. Willowyn slept, and this time she dreamed of a face she knew. At dawn she found the king in his hall. His crown sat just above his blonde hair He rose when he saw her and bowed his head. "Whatever you ask, it's yours," he said. "I need to reach Ashowaye," Willowyn said. "Someone I love serves in its army." The king's face changed. He set down his cup. "Ashowaye," he said slowly. "Then you have not heard." He walked to a map on the wall and touched a valley near the sea. "The war you stopped. One of those armies was Ashowaye's." He turned to face her. "Their soldiers are three days' ride from here. In the camp beyond the ridge." Willowyn's breath caught. Kai was not across the world. He was three days away, and she had walked past him to reach this castle.