Page 16 of Elemental Affections

“It wasn’t.”

“Then I’m curious as to why you’re avoiding it.” Ezzyn’s blue eyes bored into her. “The deadline to register is midnight tonight. For courses and employment opportunities, in case you missed that part in the materials I sent. I’d hate for you to miss it and have, ah,regrets.”

His tone remained mild, conversational, yet that word, the implied challenge in it, made Dae’s eyes narrow. Any doubts she might have harbored after their run-in at the Mighty Leaf about how raw and present their past still was, well, Dae was a believer now. She wasn’t the only one haunted by that last conversation. By things done, and said, and the almosts of paths not taken. What could’ve been. The Kiss Incident. This many years later, she no longer remembered the taste of a prince.

Dae’s eyes closed in a long blink as she gave a small, wry shake of her head. None of it mattered because she was herenow.Reclaiming regrets from the jaws of forever. “That’s very considerate of you, but I—”

A commotion at the door caused them both to turn. A young man stood in the hall outside the doorway. Laughter echoed down the hall as his classmates continued jostling each other out of view. Dae didn’t know them but did recognize the white and black armband that marked the first as a member of the university’s periodical. She had no idea if Sylveren’s school paper was strictly academic-focused or not, but years of experience had taught her the news, whether functioning as tool or weapon, was never benign. She shifted to the side, not too fast to draw attention, letting Ezzyn’s larger body shield her from view.

He noticed.

“Still the same Ana,” he said, mouth twitching up in more of a grimace than a smile.

“Meaning?” Dae said, cold stealing over her.

“Afraid to make a scene. Always.”

“Aware of my surroundings, you mean,” she countered. “Surely, a prince knows to be mindful of the press.”

“This is Sylveren.”

“Well, one of us hasn’t had years to become familiar with the place.”

“One of us chose that. Chose tedium and people pleasing. To meekly follow the path already laid out. You let others determine your life and you still cling to their ways.” Ezzyn scoffed, looking at her with something like disappointment and vindication in his eyes. “You choose to follow.”

“Because this lecture sets you so far apart from my family,” Dae said, a sour twist to her mouth. She picked up her bag. “I chose to come here, despite it pleasing no one. Present company included.”

She stalked past him, ignoring his murmur of her name. At the door, she paused to glare at him. “If I have any regrets, it’s that Garethe couldn’t make it. The seminar sounds great.”

Ezzyn dipped forward in a mock bow. “Don’t deny yourself on my account.”

With a last withering look, Dae left him alone in the empty classroom.

5 Years Ago

Escaping out to the immaculate gardens behind the mansion, Ana let the noise and heat of the festivities fade in her wake. It was the fourth celebratory event she’d been to since the official end of the conflict with Eylle, with many more planned for the coming weeks. She enjoyed such parties—in moderation. And perhaps she’d enjoy it more if she’d been able to attend without the unspoken, invisible, yet widely known claim of Brint Avenor that seemed to hang around her neck. Thankfully, though, Ana hadn’t seen him except from afar after the first half hour of the party.

Following a side path to a semi-secluded bench, Ana was dropping onto it with a grateful sigh when she belatedly realized the nook was already occupied.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, gathering her skirts. “I didn’t see—”

“It’s quite all right,” a warm, masculine voice said. “Please, stay.”

A Rhellian man stood in shadow at the far end of the bench, hidden from view from the main path. His pale blond hair fell well past his shoulders, appearing nearly white against the black of his light surcoat.

“Hello, Anadae,” he said.

She started at her name, peering at him through the evening’s dark. Though the garden itself had decorative lighting, the bench nook was situated just enough back that Ana’s eyes needed to adjust.

Sensing her struggle, the man stepped closer.

“Ezzyn!” She patted the bench in invitation. “I didn’t know you were in Grae Port.”

“Only for a few nights, at Jeron’s request.” He sat next to her, leaving a respectable amount of space between them. “Hoping to remind a few representatives to free up more aid for Rhell while moods are high. The war may be over, but we aren’t so foolish as to believe Eylle is content while our wellspring remains whole.”

“I can ask my father if there’s anything Transportation can do.”

Ezzyn inclined his head. “Appreciated. But let us talk of other things, please. I imagine we’ve both had our fill of diplomacy.”

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