Princess Willowyn's Arc

Chapter 7 of 70

Willowyn woke to sunlight on her face. She hurried down the stairs and into the courtyard. She could feel the water in the well before she reached for it, like it was part of her. She hummed a soft tune and lifted a bright ribbon of water through the air. She carried it to the men who worked among the timber. Kai stepped forward and drank from his cupped hands. "Thank you again, Princess," he said, and smiled. Willowyn only gave a small, steady curtsy. The guard watched, so she said nothing more. This was the pattern now. Each morning she came. Each morning she filled the trough. Each morning Kai thanked her, and each morning she left without a word. Days had passed this way. She wanted more than a curtsy. She wanted to speak with the mortal who had crossed the sea, to hear of the kingdoms she dreamed of one day joining in peace. But the guard's eyes never left her, and one wrong step would send the mortals away. That evening Aela slipped into her chamber. Aela had trained her in survival and knew every thought Willowyn hid. She dropped onto the bench, boots still laced high. "You watered them again," she said. "And curtsied again. You will die of politeness." Willowyn knelt by her green fox and stroked its vined fur. "The guard hears everything. If I speak, my mother learns of it." "Then do not speak where he can hear." Aela leaned close. "The workers haul water buckets to the coast at dusk. One guard for many men. You could carry water there too. In the open. In your mother's name. But the guard cannot stand beside every man at once." Willowyn's heart quickened. It fit the rule and bent it at the same time. "She said a guard must be present." "A guard will be present," Aela said. "He simply cannot watch you every moment." The next dusk, Willowyn walked to the coast with the workers. She lifted water from the sea's edge, drew out the salt, and filled their empty barrels clean. The guard stood at the path, counting heads, too far to hear. Kai worked near her, coiling rope. When the guard turned, Willowyn spoke low. "You crossed many waters to come here," she said. "Tell me of the lands beyond mine." Kai's hands paused on the rope. "You truly want to know?" "More than anything," she said. So he told her, quiet and quick, of harbors and mountains and warring shores. Willowyn listened and felt the world open. She had found her way past the last wall. She could speak with him now. Before the guard could spot Willowyn she slipped away, she gave a silent nod to Kai and went back to her chambers.