Princess Willowyn's Arc

Chapter 60 of 70

The Queen of Allorie waited for an answer. Willowyn opened her mouth, but no words came. She was Kai's friend, his companion, the girl he kissed in dark halls. But she was nothing named. Nothing bound. The parchment on the table proved it. Kai looked at her, and she saw the same fear she felt. She stood up too fast, her chair scraping stone. "An hour has passed," she said. "I am tired from my journey. Forgive me." She bowed her head to the old king and queen. Then she turned to Kai. "My prince, I bid you goodnight." Kai reached for her hand. His fingers brushed hers and missed. Willowyn was already moving. She crossed the great hall and climbed the spiral stairs of the golden castle, two at a time. Behind her she heard Kai call her name. She did not stop. She reached her chamber, stepped inside, and shut the door. She turned the lock. The bolt slid home with a small, final click. Her minx darted from the bed and leapt into her arms. Willowyn pressed her face into its soft white fur. Her hands shook. "I could have said it," she whispered. "One word. That we are betrothed. And the pact would break." But it would have been a lie. Kai had never asked her. In the months of kisses and stolen hours, he had never once spoken the word. She would not force his crown onto herself by claiming a promise he never made. A knock came at the door. "Willowyn. It's me." Kai's voice was low. "Please." She wiped her eyes and spoke “I am tired Kai please leave me be” “Please Willowyn let me in so we can talk about this, you could have spoke on what we were, you could have ended this but you did not” Kai said behind the locked door… “Willowyn please answer me” but Willowyn did not, she had climbed out her window and ran towards the field where her dragon rested