Page 72 of The Heir's Bargain

Across from me, Terin put his back to the side of the carriage and hoisted his feet onto the bench with a heavy sigh. "I do not pity you, brother. That is for sure." He folded his hands behind his head. "I suppose I should be happy, though. I've barely seen you in the past three months. Between your studies and little rendezvous with Dani, you're busier than ever."

I stared at my brother, confusion twisting my features. "What do you mean? I see you all the time."

Terin cocked a brow as he peered at me. "Advisor meetings don't count, Fynn."

"You've joined me at the tavern," I countered.

"You're too focused on staring at Dani for that to count, either."

"But—"

Terin shrugged as he crossed his legs. "It's fine. Truly. At least we can use this time to catch up."

The carriage hit a hole and jolted us. My stomach twisted, but I could no longer tell if it was from the ride or the guilt biting at my insides.

Nevertheless, I said, "You're right."

"Before we do, I'm going to try to sneak a nap in."

"All that fuss, yet you decide to nap?"

"What can I say?" Terin yawned and moved into a more comfortable position on the bench, cramming himself on it. "I'm exhausted."

Terin closed his eyes, and silence filled the carriage once more. As we rode across the winding path north of the castle, I peeled back the curtain again and pushed open the window, letting the cool morning air filter inside the stuffy space. Outside, sweeps of burnt oranges melted across the early morning sky.

My brother's presence and the quiet carriage should have been a reprieve, yet guilt twisted in my stomach. However, lying to my brother wasn't the only reason for the sourness.

Over the past few days, I had been training with Graeson extensively. I had foolishly thought that if I exhausted my body, my mind would quiet as well. Granted, it had worked when the sword was in my hand. But the moment I set that sword down, the thoughts came spiraling back.

I never would have guessed, though, that the thoughts I was most terrified of were my own.

Yet here I was, spiraling over my best friend.

It had been almost three weeks since I had last spoken to Dani. After what my mother had told me, I needed some distance to figure things out.

I was unsure if I believed my mother about Dani liking me when we were younger. But I wasn't sure if the answer mattered. Childhood feelings were as fleeting and fragile as youth itself. If Dani liked me then, she surely didn't like me now.

Nothing about the fury fuming in her gaze when she stormed into the castle after I had sent the dress to her suggested that she still had feelings for me. At some point, she must have seen what I already knew.

Dani wished to save the world. And I? Well, I could barely even save myself most days.

"You'll see her soon."

"Huh?" I peered at Terin, but his eyes were shut.

"Dani," Terin mumbled, sinking deeper into the cushion. Soon, his breathing shifted, and he began to snore as sleep finally embraced him.

The summer solstice was the largest event in Pontia, bringing people from across the island together to celebrate the longest day of the year. The food was plentiful, the music was grand, and the wine barrels were never empty. Laughter filled the space as people mingled with one another.

For the past several years, the Summer Solstice Ball had been an excuse for me to drink and fall into some woman's lap, head first.

This year, however, only one of those things would be happening.

I pressed the cold crystal to my lips. Notes of honeysuckle and orange wafted from the white wine, brushing my nose. The fresh citrus was a much-needed reprieve from Lord Alabas' overly sweet plum and oak aroma.

The Alabas family was one of the prominent families in northern Pontia. I didn't particularly care for the family, but their purse was immense and their gifts were useful. But no matter how valuable the Alabas family was, it didn't prevent my gaze from wandering to the large oak doors behind the lord as he prattled on about his latest hunting retreat.

Flurries of people still flooded through the doors, but none of them were the person I was looking for. The thoughts coming from the surrounding guests did little to soothe my wayward thoughts.

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