Page 73 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“She served in my father’s court.”

“Ah, of course, I know that name. She was one of the Aine.”

“Yes.”

He glanced over at my warrior’s leathers and the two blades strapped to my back. “She’s the one who taught you how to use a sword.”

I hesitated, but there was no point in lying. It’s not like there were any Aine left in the realm to disapprove. “Yes.”

“Then I owe her my gratitude. If not for your skill with a sword, you and I might never have had this second chance together. I’m just grateful you don’t have to do anything like that ever again.”

“What do you mean?”

“A princess wielding a sword?” His brow lifted; his mouth quirked. “I hardly think it’s appropriate for your station.”

“Someone has to fight,” I said tightly.

“Of course. But we lead armies, we don’t enlist in them.”

I flashed a tight smile. “Speaking of which, tell me about Grey Oak. I never asked how the Autumn Court has been affected by Heliconia. Is it bad?”

“As a matter of fact, Grey Oak is thriving.”

“Really?”

“Why do you look so surprised?”

“You said Obsidians have begun attacking with more frequency. I assumed your lands would be threatened.”

He straightened in his saddle. “Our people have the greatest army in the realm. We will not be bullied by some power-hungry castoff.”

I stared at him. “Is that all you think she is?”

“She’s a formidable witch, thanks to the dark magic she stole, but without her army of Obsidians, she wouldn’t last—not against us.”

His ego was ridiculous, even for an entitled prince. This was the savvy, strategic general of legends?

“She’s much more powerful than that,” I said quietly.

Something about my tone must’ve given my thoughts away because Callan swallowed and said quickly, “Forgive me for dismissing the damage she did to your family. Tell me about her then. Any intel you have is valuable if we’re going to take her down.”

I cringed as I realized he meant for me to describe an event he’d been present for. An event he’d tried to run from.

I couldn’t make myself do it.

“I’d rather not talk about it just yet,” I said, fixing my attention on the soldiers rushing around the camp we’d nearly arrived at. Tending wounds, pouring ale, building fires and tents.

“Of course,” he said with enough pity that I bit my cheek to keep from snapping at him. “I don’t want to push you. Eventually, we should record everything you can remember, though. It might help us in the battle to come.”

Battle.

Not war.

He thought this would be over that quickly.

I nodded absently as we reached the edge of camp, glad to have an excuse to end the conversation.

After a quick dismount, I patted my horse, lingering long enough to brush my hands over his soft mane.

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