Page 67 of To Fight and To Fold

She’d been distracted enough, replaying every moment of her interaction with Thea again and again. Their proximity, the way she’d urged Aaryn to press the dagger deeper against her. She’d been so intimidating, making Aaryn curl away from her, while the Thea she’d seen last night had made Aaryn want to brush her hair back from her face. Maybe pour her another drink to see what other confessions might spill past her lips.

She shook the forbidden thoughts away as she stood amongst the Tethered in the dragons’ yard. The prince had called them all together and though Aaryn found it hard to include herself in their ranks by the day, her presence was expected.

The ground was still disturbed, charred, and no one seemed surprised. As if marks hadn’t scorched the earth from magic, and something hadn't grown instantaneously from nothing!

Aaryn blinked and noticed the bursts of char were aimed, scattered around… the vines. The vines, which the druids had presumably grown from the rich dirt. Which meant it had been the knights who wielded this still-smoldering magic, souring the air.

Look, Aaryn. For the truth.

If the druids were such a savage people, why was their magic springing from the earth while Evergale’s knights destroyed?

Speaking of…

A pack of knights were awaiting the Tethered, tucked in line behind the prince. Runa was amongst them, but even her steady presence couldn’t reassure her. Nerves danced through Aaryn’s stomach at the prince's grim, sleepless expression.

Rose reached out to grip her hand, and Aaryn knew she wasn't the only one nervous about what awaited them.

The prince spoke, distracting her from silent ruminations.

"Tethered, thank you for gathering here with me this morning before resuming your duties. You may see to your dragons shortly, as this won't take long. These knights," he said, waving a hand at the row as if his words didn't land like a punch to Aaryn's chest, "have been deeply vetted, and I trust them, so it's important you trust them too, because from today on, they will be by your side at all times, watching out for you."

Even though Aaryn was well acquainted with the concept, it was new to the others, and as their small gasps and murmurs followed his announcement, his gaze hardened.

He pressed on. "I'm also implementing a curfew and a perimeter."

Something dark churned in her stomach.

"Please stay within the castle's perimeter, and return to your rooms after sunset. This is the way we can protect you best."

The Tethered around her were quiet in contemplation, and Rose's hand clenched tightly around Aaryn's.

The prince continued, "I care for each of you deeply." He said this as he lifted a clenched fist to his heart, and his gaze flicked over Aaryn. "And your service to the crown and our dragons is eternally appreciated. I know this is less than ideal, but it's in your best interest. We would be nothing without you, and that is why I must keep you safe, at all costs."

"How long?" Aaryn bit out. How long did the prince intend to keep them on this schedule?

"Until we are certain the threat has been dealt with."

It had been centuries that the druids and Evergale had been at odds. Surely he did not intend to keep them locked away forever?

Aaryn felt trapped suddenly, and her instinct was to balk. To rage and thrash her hand from Rose’s and slap the prince and scream. Which made her pause, because it was not something Aaryn had ever felt before.

"Do you think Carissa is alright? Do you know where they've taken her?" another Tethered asked.

Carissa's disappearance was jarring to the others. Most of all, perhaps, to the prince, who had clearly lost sleep over it.

Why do you not take me against my will?

That's not our way, Thea's voice rang through her head.

They didn't know Carissa had gone willingly.

Aaryn wondered if she was happy, wherever she was, wondered how Rolim had convinced her. Had he downright proposed on the battlefield? Did Carissa just love him so wholeheartedly that she would leave her entire life behind without a second thought?

Aaryn wondered what that felt like, to have a love so certain.

You do.

It was Starspark.