Page 12 of The Promise Born
“I didn’t intend to offend you.” I pulled back on my prodding. “I just wanted to understand why it was so important. I've only been in your home for a day and already I've heard so many rumors about how you are refusing your responsibilities and your role as a prince to focus on this. And so, yeah, I'm curious as to why this was important.”
“This will be the first time in a long time our people are able to take part.” His shoulders relaxed. “It was supposed to be this grand return to the world. You're a dragon, you understand how this works. How long has it been since either us, the fire or the ice dragons, has even stepped foot off this island? Finally, we have been making strides to return to society. This is one of those last steps when we go out there and we show them what we're made of.” Prince Asante turned to look out at the open sky and a gentle breeze picked up as he continued. “We need to make a strong showing if we want to get back into the world. It's infuriating to think of the drama that kept us locked away for so long, and now we're finally at the precipice of getting back out there and I can't let all that hard work go to waste. So yeah, I am putting a lot of my time and attention into this. When I’m done, I will return my attention to my otherprincelyduties. I just wish people could understand that.”
“I never really understand why we withdrew from the world, either. We shied away when things got tough, and I don't get it.” Two sides of the same coin, fighting for years until that fight spilled out into the rest of the world. That was until both sides decided to retreat to the island and keep to themselves.
“It's because in this world, if one of us cannot be out, neither can. Anytime the fire dragons stepped out, the ice dragons would cause havoc. And the other way around, too. We don't want to be seen, but we don't want the other person to have the spotlight either. It's pathetic, and it's time we change that. I only wish I could somehow contact the leaders of Frostspire. It would be good if we both took this step together, but that is beyond my position right now, so I'm focusing on what I can and I'm hoping I can lead by example.”
“Have you ever explained that to anyone like you have to me? They would understand it. Maybe they wouldn't question you so much.”
“It is not my hope to get understanding from simple-minded people. They’re only focused on considering the status quo. I must push outside of that and don't get me wrong, I've tried to explain this. Until I had no breath left in my lungs I tried, and I still went unheard. So now I can only focus on what I can do. Let my actions and their results show them, not my words.”
“I can appreciate that sentiment.” And there it was. Sympathy. Here I thought he was just arrogant and used to getting his own way, throwing a tantrum when someone refused his requests. Yet really, he and I had led similar lives. None of this was what he actually wanted, either. We wanted to break out and do something unexpected, but our families had already decided what we should do. If I hadn’t run away, I’d be just like him. Under the pressure of expectations from people who didn’t understand me.
“It’s not your appreciation I am after. But I'm going to ask you again, what do you need to make these better? Because honestly, these have been the only thing to bring me even a small bit of joy lately. It has been hard and I'm searching for whatever good I can get.”
I paused for a beat, wondering if there was a way to convince him to send me home. The longer I looked into his eyes, the less I believed that was possible. Even in those moments of sweetness with him, there was still an edge, still something underneath the surface, some part of him that was still a prince. A prince who believed he deserved everything he wanted, no matter how it affected other people. He was a man who had been told his entire life that the world owed him a favor. And so instead of asking for my freedom, I asked for a bargain.
“Give me a place where I can create in private.” I spoke. “I don't want eyes on me while I do what I need to do.”
He eyed the tray in my hand and nodded. “I will have that arranged.”
“Thank you.” I turned to leave, but stopped when he spoke again.
“I heard you were out for a walk last night.” Prince Asante gagged me with his words. “You must have gotten lost because you had to be escorted back to your room? Are you alright?”
“Yes, I am. New place and all.” I waited for him to mention the bags I had with me, wondering how I could explain them.
“It can take a while to adjust.” He smiled.
“Yes.” A nervous smile stretched my lips as I returned his, silently praying I hadn’t been exposed.
“Kiala, next time you want to go for a stroll, leave the luggage behind.” He moved toward me, his expression almost threatening.
His eyes glanced up over my head at the door behind me.
I heard the rhythmic footsteps of women reverberating in through the empty hall behind me. Before I could turn away to see who was coming, a wave of female voices — sharp, high-pitched, and overlapping — surrounded me, drowning out my own thoughts. Asante’s arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me close as his lips found mine.
“Asante!” a woman shouted.
He released me, and I turned, my face a mask of confusion, to see the queen standing there. The way she looked at me — eyes blazing, fists clenched — made it crystal clear she wanted to punch me.
Chapter 6
“Whatisthis?”Thequeen’s voice was like daggers in my eardrums.
“Mother!” he acted embarrassed, but I knew if his act didn’t fool me, it surely wouldn’t fool his mother. He grabbed my hand and held it down near my hip.
“Explain this.” The queen pointed at me. “How could you be out here kissing the help?”
Thehelp? If not for the thought that this would get me out of my unwanted arrangement with the prince and back home to Clayhorn, I might have said something.
“This,” he paused and turned to smile at me. “This is the reason I don’t want to entertain your proposals.”
“What?” the queen echoed the question in my head.
What the hell was he talking about?
“I’ve found someone who brings me joy.” Asante’s smile beamed across his face.Very convincing.
