Page 37 of Beacon

My attention became diverted when the water where my hand lingered in the fountain suddenly began to churn. Choppy ripples extended from my touch, rough ones like those that acted as a precursor to a storm…similar to the waves I’d created the last time I’d lost control over my magic. It was as if all the tense feelings whirling within me from my encounters with Princess Lavena and the Lycerian Queen, as well as seeing a noblewoman flirt with Prince Owen, extended down to my fingers.

I yanked my hand from the water with a startled gasp, but despite having withdrawn my magic, it took the water a moment to calm. Even after the fountain stilled, my heart continued to pound wildly as my fear raged within me, much like the storm that had taken Mother’s life.

“My apologies for my delay; I’ve only just escaped a huntress.” The prince’s cheerful voice finally tore my gaze away from the fountain. Though he looked exhausted, his smile remained warm, a contrast to the cold glare the noblewoman currently gave me from the other side of the garden. His grin faded as he took in my expression. “Are you alright?”

My rapidly pounding heart made me feel anything but calm. I managed a nod, but his frown only deepened.

“Are you sure? Something is clearly bothering you. I’m sorry I made you wait so long, or perhaps…” His face fell as a possible reason for my melancholy occurred to him. “I just realized I forgot to ask you whether or not you wanted to attend a picnic with me. If you don’t like the idea—”

Somehow seeing the noblewoman flirting with the prince made me all the more eager to go on a picnic with him. I wasn’t quite ready to leave the prince’s company, especially considering the time we’d already spent together today had been tainted with the princess’s unwanted presence.

I hastily stood and looped my arm through his, earning me a smile. “Does this mean you’re agreeable to a picnic?” His grin widened at my enthusiastic nod and he presented his plate, laden with all manner of sweets and pastries. “Excellent, for I’ve already succeeded in acquiring the necessary spoils.” He laughed at my startled expression. “Perhaps I overdid the amount, but I wasn’t sure which desserts are your favorites. What better way to find out than by sampling all of them?”

I tried to smile but the effort was difficult with the worry still cinching my chest from the way the water had responded to my emotions. Ever since the accident I’d done my best to keep my powers safely tucked away, so for them to so easily slip past my careful barriers…

“Marisa?” Concern cradled my name. “Are you alright?”

I simply shrugged, a response that did little to alleviate his worry. His brow furrowed.

“Is this about the shipwreck? Or perhaps…you’re worried about your father? I assure you, I’m doing everything I can to try and find him, but leads will continue to be difficult until we acquire the map.”

I stiffened. I didn’t want to think about the shipwreck or my father, so I simply shook my head, and although he didn’t appear entirely convinced, he thankfully accepted my answer. “I wish there was a way for you to tell me what’s bothering you. How else am I to learn whether there’s anything I can do to help?”

His sincerity, along with his presence, helped ease the tension pressing against my heart, though not completely. My eyes darted towards the noblewoman still watching us. Prince Owen followed my gaze and leaned closer, his warm breath tickling my ear as he lowered his voice.

“I assure you her attention was entirely unwelcome. Shall we make our escape?”

While the thought of sneaking off alone with the prince would have made me anxious only a few days ago, I now found myself perfectly amendable to the idea. I wasn’t sure what time alone with him would be like away from our usual audience, only that I wanted nothing more than to escape the usual expectations created by our charade and find out.

Our path led us away from the rest of the court still taking tea in the garden. We encountered no one except Prince Jaron. He seemed too engrossed in his stroll with the noblewoman on his arm to pay us much mind…but his brotherly instinct seemed to alert him to our presence anyway.

He glanced in our direction and upon spotting us rolled his eyes. Prince Owen frowned. “Why is he—”

His question was immediately answered when Prince Jaron narrowed his eyes at our connected arms, lifted his free hand, and wriggled his fingers, all while giving his brother a meaningful look that that was impossible to misinterpret. Crimson stained Prince Owen’s cheeks the moment he understood.

“I think…he wants me to hold your hand. I suppose…it’d look more authentic…” He sought my permission with his gaze, and at my nod he unwound our arms. After a moment’s hesitation and a wavering breath he carefully touched my arm. My skin tingled as his heated touch slowly trailed down to my hand, which he enclosed within his.

His hold was awkward and a bit too tight. Prince Owen looked not at me to see how his efforts were received but towards his brother, who simply rolled his eyes. From a distance his only way of communicating the issue was through example, for he suddenly took it upon himself to take the hand of the woman he was escorting, his charming smile towards her easing any awkwardness that might have come from the exchange. He held her hand differently than Prince Owen currently was doing—rather than cupping their hands, their fingers were intertwined.

Prince Jaron glanced back at his brother with another meaningful look. “Oh,” Prince Owen murmured. After a nervous swallow he obediently readjusted his hold. After a bit of fumbling he intertwined our fingers, a much more natural and comfortable position than the previous one.

I’d never held a man’s hand before and found the experience entirely overwhelming. Despite my shallow, nervous breaths, the prince’s touch was warm, pleasant, and made me feel secure, dispelling the last of the anxieties that had plagued me when my powers had escaped near the fountain.

Prince Owen gauged my reaction. His shoulders slumped in relief at my reassuring smile before his gaze darted towards his brother, who made an approving sign with his fingers, his look almost smug that he’d once more successfully lent his expertise to his inexperienced brother.

The prince sighed. “I’ll never be able to live down how much help I’ve received from him.” He cast me an apologetic glance. “It appears we’ll have to perform our charade for a while longer. I’ll release your hand the moment we’re alone.”

Despite his promise, he didn’t actually fulfill it, even after the garden path eventually meandered to a more secluded section of the grounds. If anything, his hold only tightened, as if he was quite content to keep holding my hand despite our lack of audience. I didn’t mind since I found myself rather reluctant to pull away. There was something soothing about holding Prince Owen’s hand, not to mention it helped ease some of the pressure that had been pressing against my heart at witnessing his interaction with the noblewoman…and in particular my encounter with the Queen of Lyceria, whose disconcerting offer still filled my thoughts.

The silence was comfortable as we strolled the flower-lined paths. While people often seemed to grow anxious when it’d been quiet for too long, the prince didn’t seem to mind.

“This is…nice. Are you enjoying yourself?” His anxious gaze took in my expression and he seemed pleased with my nod. “I’m glad. I am as well; it’s nice to be away from the court, just the two of us. This will be the perfect place for our picnic.”

The path opened up to a patch of lawn hidden amongst the hedgerows, which would grant us privacy from anyone who might stroll the grounds. We settled on the grass, and after finally releasing my hand, the prince presented the plate of sweets with as much reverence as if he were bestowing the crown jewels. I accepted a pastry coated in orange frosting and took a bite—the flavor was sweet, slightly tart, and creamy—a delicious combination.

His eyes lit up at my appreciative smile. “I’m glad you like it. Try them all and let me know which is your favorite, and I’ll ensure it’s at every royal function we attend.”

As thoughtful as his gesture was, it left me puzzled considering it went above and beyond our expected charade.

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