Page 17 of To Fight and To Fold

Something angry brewed in her belly. Not even Aaryn had the privilege of riding Starspark.

It wasn't the place of a Tethered to ride the dragon. They cared for them. Riding was reserved for knights, those tasked with protection of Evergale, or with transportation of trade.

Aaryn ached to be with the others, to be with her dragon, to listen to Starspark’s purr rumble her ribcage.

Would she ever have that again?

“Prince—your majesty,” she stuttered, and she heard his steps as he approached her by the window, but kept his respectful distance. His guards awaited him in the hall, their presence obvious and yet fading into the background.

“Tethered Aaryn, you can call me anything you’d like, whatever makes you feel at ease.”

The Tethered talked about the prince so often, it was hard to call him anything else. She couldn’t wait to tell them how he said her name, uttered so deeply from his chest.

“Do you truly think you'll find Starspark?”

The movements below held her attention, but she sensed him stiffen and then relax, a soft sigh leaving his lips. She couldn’t resist turning her head just a smidge, catching a glimpse of his mouth tightening before he shrugged.

“I cannot say for certain, and I’m sorry that's the best I can offer. Once we have more information, I believe we'll know where to start.” He met her gaze, sincerity blooming in that spring green.

Honesty. How refreshing.

Aaryn slid her hand from her pocket. “Thea gave me this—well, I suppose by now it was yesterday afternoon.” Heat rushed to her cheeks as if a dragon’s breath resided on her tongue, but she swallowed her chagrin as he took the small note and turned back to the window. “Obviously, she didn't want me here to interfere with her plan. I don’t know what clarity this offers, if any, or if I’ve just embarrassed myself in front of the prince for nothing, however⁠—”

He glanced up from the quick words scrawled there. “This does help. In fact, anything like this will give us more insight into who Thea actually was.”

“Good," Aaryn murmured, something sour on the back of her tongue. She swallowed.

“It tells us she knew the risk of stealing a dragon beneath his Tethered’s nose, or… she cared for you so much she didn’t want to risk you getting hurt. Both are valuable.”

Aaryn swallowed, her heart leaping at the last suggestion, similar to the very thoughts she’d dared have earlier.

“Even if Thea did care for me, it’s vital you know I had nothing to do with…. this.” She practically grumbled the last word, which in other spaces would be a rude tone to take with the prince, but she had been through quite an ordeal last evening and this morning, and he would just have to offer grace.

“There’s never been a Tethered in history who would forsake their dragon in such a way. I do not expect it to start with you,” he said.

A piece of her relaxed at that, and she settled more comfortably into her own skin. “That’s a relief to hear,” she admitted. “Thank you.”

Bravely, she turned her head and gaze to him as she uttered the last two words, and he smiled, lifting his hand before lowering it again, maybe considering it to be inappropriate on such a night. She appreciated his hesitation.

“We will do everything within our power to find Starspark,” he vowed.

“I will do anything to help,” she told him, and meant it with her whole being. “Really, anything. Not just wishing you the best from my tower,” she said, and waved a hand at the arched window.

At this, he looked uncomfortable. “It is not the Tethered’s place to⁠—“

“You just said there’s never been a Tethered in history who would forsake their dragon in such a way. You are correct that I will not be the first. Let me assist.”

Prince Jarrick studied her for a long moment, the evening light striking his features with a soft white glow.

“What would you like to do?”

Aaryn threw her hands up. “I don’t know, I’m not an expert in solving… dragon-nappings!” His lips twitched and she pointed a finger at him—brave, or stupid? “Don’t laugh at me, Prince!”

His smile smoothed out. “Not a laughing matter. Yes, Tethered. Let me speak to the king, and I will make sure you have a place in the discussion moving forward.”

At the mention of the king, Aaryn lowered her finger. Stupid, indeed. “Apologies. I forgot myself.” She bowed her head, as was polite, and the prince chuckled.

“Don’t apologize. It’s refreshing to hear someone speak to me like I’m a person instead of a figurehead.”