Princess Willowyn's Arc

Chapter 41 of 70

The stair opened onto the great hall, then the wide gates beyond. Morning light poured across the stone. Willowyn held Kai's hand tight. Her pale blue gown left her arms bare, and her red hair sat pinned high off her neck. She still did not know these people. Their words in the garden had followed her down the steps. But she did not let it stop her. She walked out through the gates into the bright courtyard. A tall man dismounted from a hunting horse. He wore royal purple stitched with gold, and a gold crown over his dark curls. This was King Aurelius, Kai's father, home from his hunt. He crossed to them and dipped his head. "Princess," he said. Willowyn let go of Kai's hand and sank into a curtsy. "Your Majesty." Her voice held steady. She had faced armies. She could face one king at his own gates. The king smiled, and the tightness in her chest eased. "The garden already sings your name. Perhaps you will let this old kingdom keep you a while." Before she could answer, a small figure slid down from the horse behind the king. A boy, no older than thirteen, in dark gray with his brown hair braided short. He landed light on his feet and looked straight at Kai. "Kit," Kai said. His face changed at once. He crossed the courtyard fast and pulled the boy into his arms. The boy laughed and shoved at him, though he did not step back. "You're squashing me," the boy said. Kai kept one hand on his shoulder and turned to Willowyn. "My brother," he said. "Kit. He's twelve. He's been at our aunt's kingdom these past months. I did not know he was coming home today." Willowyn smiled at the boy. "Hello, Kit." Kit studied her the way the garden crowd had, but bolder. "You're the water one," he said. "The one who stopped the war." He glanced at his brother. "Is she really your girlfriend?" Kai's cheeks darkened. Willowyn laughed for the first time since waking. King Aurelius set a hand on each son's shoulder. "Then it is settled," he said to Willowyn. "You are a guest of this house and a friend of my sons. Whatever you came to do here, you have my ear." Willowyn felt the ground shift under her. She had crossed the sea alone, unsure of her welcome. Now the king himself named her friend before his gates. The whole family stood open to her. Her dream of binding kingdoms in peace had a door, and it had just swung wide.