Page 56 of Essence of the Throne

“We were close, once. Before.” She pauses, pressing her lips together. “Tell me, does she have her mother’s affinity for fauna essence as well?”

The question seems innocent enough, but there’s a glimmer in mother’s gaze that makes me wary. “Her records state just the flora strand from her living affinity.” Curse my vague answers—she will catch the half-truths.

“Yes, I suppose that’s true.” She sighs, a sort of sadness crossing her features. “And you…how do you feel about her?”

I blink. “What do you mean?”

She smiles, giving me a look that says I know exactly what she means. Perhaps I do. “I am not ignorant to the ways of young people. I’ve seen how you look at each other. How she watches you as if her life depends on it.” She purses her lips, considering. “I’m just curious. Whatever you feel must be strong enough to illicit such reactions toward her.” I didn't realize she'd been paying so much attention to Ariella.

I shrug, idly running a hand through my hair. “I suppose you are correct, yes.” I’m not sure why my body feels so uncomfortable.

“Has anything happened between you two?” The question catches me off guard and she sees the confusion, chuckling. “Not intimately. But, anything that has felt strange?”

Yes—too much. “No, nothing. Unless you’d consider her threatening my life at least once a day strange, that is.” She sees right through my miserable attempt at deflecting. I know she does. She watches me for a moment, humming to herself before smiling once more.

“Just be careful with that one, Caspian. Her mother had good intentions too, in the beginning.”

“What are you alluding to?”

“Nothing, darling.” Another smile, though this one doesn’t eclipse her eyes. “I simply worry. A mother’s prerogative, you understand. Though I must admit, the way she watches you is curious.”

Heat creeps up my neck. “Mother—”

“Oh, don’t look so embarrassed, Caspian. I’m just making an observation.” Her smile turns knowing. “Though perhaps we should discuss your rather interesting choice of training attire yesterday?”

I lurch to my feet, more than ready to leave. Without answering, I lean forward to kiss her cheek and say my goodbyes before exiting the study. Opening the door, I find Ariella and Gavriel in what appears to be a heated but whispered argument. My guard’s face is red, flushed with blatant anger. I’ve never seen him this enraged before—well, aside from yesterday. He storms off before I can ask what’s wrong.

“What was that about?” I ask Ariella.

She shrugs, dismissing the inquiry. “Nothing important. What did your mother say?”

“Let’s talk somewhere more private.” I lead her toward the back gardens. We need to discuss investigating the tunnels, but first I want to understand what has Gavriel so upset.

The sun beats against my neck as we walk behind the castle. The late morning heat is already making the air thick and uncomfortable—strange sensation when it should be chilled outside, regardless that I now know it's the balance's doing. I direct us to a secluded corner where stone benches rest beneath flowering vines, neither of us speaking the entire way. The sweet fragrance of blooming lavender and myrralyn settles my mind and eases the tension from my shoulders.

Ariella moves with that conditioned grace of hers, choosing to lean against a pillar rather than sit. Her eyes scan our surroundings—a habit I’ve noticed she never breaks, even in supposedly safe spaces. It's moments like these I find it difficult to look away. When a pull in my chest implores me to close the distance between us.

“My guard seemed rather upset.” I watch her reaction for an answer, regardless that I know her expression will not grant me one. Her jaw tightens almost imperceptibly.

“Gavriel has opinions about things that do not concern him.” Her tone is clipped, warning me to drop it. But I can’t. Not when his behavior has been so erratic as of late.

“He’s never acted like this before.” I step closer, close enough to catch the inviting warmth that always seems to cling to her skin. “What did he say to you?”

Her steady gaze meets mine. “The usual. He believes I’m a threat to you. I’m manipulating you against your father.” A harsh laugh escapes her. “As if you needed any help seeing what kind of monster sits on that throne.”

I run a hand through my hair, frustrated. “And what did you tell him?”

“That he should worry less about how many treats you’ll give him later and more about keeping his head attached to his shoulders if he continues to question me. Fuck your demands. I’ll drive my blade so deep in his heart that he’ll feel it in the next life.” Her fingers tap against her thigh, just above where she keeps one of her countless blades.

I sigh, reaching for her hand. She allows the touch, which still surprises me every time. “I love your murderous inclinations, I do, but he’s just trying to protect me.”

“I know.” A brief vulnerability flashes in her eyes before she masks it, pushing from the stone to continue walking. “But hewillunderstand that I’m not the enemy here, otherwise I’ve no qualms about becoming his.”

The words hang between us, heavy with meaning. Because she’s right—she’s not the enemy, not truly. But admitting that means accepting everything else that comes with it. Including what we might have to do to my father. The thought of which is treason in itself, so maybe we’re both the enemy.

I watch Ariella as we proceed through the gardens, her steps silent even on the gravel path. The weight of everything settlesdeeper into my being with each breath. Even the air feels dense, pressing down on me like a physical manifestation of my stress.

“We need to investigate those tunnels,” I say, breaking our pleasant silence. “Something’s happening down there and we need to know what before the week is up. Mother mentioned seeing Father emerge from them looking feverish.”

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