Page 10 of Princess of Air

“Mother, you know I’ll always do what’s best for the kingdom.” Even marry Jamys. I’m a regular martyr.

“I expect you all to compete fairly”—she gives Marcus and Nina a pointed look—“and to the best of your ability.” Now, her gaze falls on me.

“Of course, Mother.”

Her eyes scrutinize me, but it’s Father who says something. “Arabella, would you join me in the garden a moment?”

What a state we must be in for Father to be sent in to manage me.

***

The palace gardens remain lush year-round thanks to Mother and Rylan, but there is something about spring that makes it all look more vibrant. And of course, I never tire of how the air is cleaner around plants.

“You were scarcely walking when we realized you didn’t simply control air.”

I tuck my arm through Father’s. I’ve heard this story countless times, but it never grows old. The story might, a little, but the way he tells it—all pride and awe—makes me an enthralled audience every time.

“You stumbled and fell, but you didn’t hit the ground,” he says. “The air caught you. It held you for a moment, then set you down gently. I looked to your mother, but she hadn’t done it. I asked if you could have managed that already, and she didn’t believe so. You were much too young to manage that sort of manipulation over your element, and even with time and practice, it would be exceedingly challenging to do it so quickly.

“No, you didn’t make the air catch you—it simply wanted to. It recognized you as its friend and counterpart. Your relationship with your element has always astounded even your mother. We’ve long known that your power is something quite exceptional.”

I drop my gaze. “Are you saying I’m the most powerful, and hence I should rule?”

“Not at all. Having greater mastery of your ability would not make you a more suitable ruler than your siblings, but the way in which you achieved it bespeaks the qualities of a ruler that come so naturally to you. The very air feels compelled to follow you anywhere, protect you, do your bidding—if people rallied around you as such… what a reign that would be.”

“Father.” A weight presses down on me, and I can’t float it off. “Isn’t it enough to be Queen of Ceraun? To unite our kingdoms, make sure Penum doesn’t lure them to join against us, be Rylan’s ally, and…” Live for duty and kingdom. How can that not be enough? I may jest about everything and play the difficult one, but when it comes to it, I do everything they want. I don’t want to leave for a stuffy kingdom with antiquated views and constricting etiquette, but I’m doing as they asked. Will they never stop wanting things from me?

He rubs his forehead. “You weren’t born into a simple life. I’m sorry for that sometimes, but even without the magic and your royal bloodline, I doubt you could ever lead a quiet life.”

“Because I’m troublesome?” I bat my eyelashes, earning a smile from him.

“Perhaps when you want to be.” He pats my arm with his free hand. “Mostly, I’d call you… vivacious.”

“That’s the loving version of troublesome.”

He shrugs. “Sometimes the world needs trouble.”

Chapter six

A target bursts into flames. Then another farther back in the yard. And another.

Marcus stands at Nina’s side, forming an orb of water in his hands. He thrusts his hands forward, and the water shoots to extinguish the first target. From nowhere, water rains down on the next. Marcus presses his lips together and closes his eyes. The ground rumbles, and I look for Rylan, but he isn’t here. Water shoots up from the ground to drown the last target.

“New trick?” I ask as I approach the twins.

Marcus looks at me with a self-assured smirk. “You can’t be the only one coming up with new ways to use magic.”

“Especially when you’re trying to take a crown from your brother.”

Flames flicker around Nina’s arms, but the sleeves of her tunic are unharmed. “You’re really going to sit back and let Rylan win?”

“It’s not letting him win. He’ll need to prove himself, but he has been preparing for this crown his entire life. It’s not unreasonable for him to get it.”

“It’s not unreasonable for any of us to get it.” Nina keeps her eyes on me, but fire springs about behind her like a rabbit. The control without her full attention is very good, but I wonder if she could really be as ruthless as she thinks she is.

“So, if it comes down to the two of you,” I say, “you’d go after each other full tilt?”

“Yes.”

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