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Instead of finding Hakon, he saw Gunnar lounging in one of the chairs by the fireplace, asleep. Loud snores rumbled through the room as Herrick made his way over to his sleeping friend and kicked his boot off the small table in front of him.

Gunnar shot awake and reached for his axe before he realized it was only Herrick and relaxed. He sat in the chair opposite him and huffed, glaring at Gunnar.

“What’s your problem?” Gunnar asked as he stretched.

“The Heir of Flame? You couldn’t have told me that before?” Herrick spat.

“It wasn’t my story to tell; I said that,” Gunnar said as he reached for the tray of cold breakfast food that had been left in the room for Hakon.

“Sure, but theHeir of Flame?” Herrick almost shouted.

He shouldn't have been taking out his anger on his friend. Gunnar was right, after all; it was Maude’s story to tell.

“I see your mother told you about the treaty forbidding your affections for the girl,” Gunnar said, chewing on bacon.

Herrick didn’t respond to him. Of course, Gunnar knew about the restrictions of the treaty. His friend stood and patted Herrick on the shoulder as he walked past him to the balcony that overlooked the ocean. Herrick followed him to the fresh morning air and sunlight, hoping the latter would banish thoughts of an Heir who had him wrapped around her little finger.

“Have you seen Hakon this morning?” Herrick asked, hanging his head as he leaned onto the railing.

Gunnar shook his head.

“That can only mean he is also breaking the treaty rules,” Herrick sighed.

“How do you figure that?” Gunnar asked.

“Eydis has airgalder. If they had children, they would have three elements,” Herrick grumbled.

“It’s a silly rule that limits each person to their court. It puts too much of a divide in place,” Gunnar said, leaning on the railing.

“Power is the currency in our world; it makes sense because those in power need it to make sense.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it. You and I both know there is a better way to rule, and it died out when the Elven did,” Gunnar said, crossing his arms and pacing the balcony.

The Elven led their kingdoms by choice of the people. When a few candidates were chosen, they would perform in a series of trials based on logic, critical thinking skills, and combat. The Elven who scored the highest in these trials by a panel of civilians chosen to represent the people would be crowned. These civilians were usually elders, shamans, and seers of temples selected by the people to serve their best interests.

This was always fair because Elven of the solar courts could use allgalderelements; their connection to the earth and stars allowed them to manipulate light and shadow as well as all the elements.

The Shadow Elven preferred their long nights in the cold north of Ahland, easily controlling shadows and manipulating the elements of water and wind.

The Light Elven, who preferred the bright suns and heat of the coastal south, controlled light and preferred fire and earthgalder. It seemed more straightforward to Herrick to allow the people of each kingdom to choose for themselves as the Elven did, but change came slowly.

“I agree with you, Gunnar. I just don’t know how even to begin to make that a reality in our lifetime,” Herrick sighed, defeat in his voice already.

“You can start by heading down to the people’s court and listening to them,” Gunnar suggested.

“I’ve been meaning to go; I’ll make my way down after I speak with Hakon. I want to warn him of Mother's upcoming plans.”

“The Betrothal Ball? Yes, I heard. I’m thinking that it won't go over well.”

“No, I think he already knows. I ran into him last night leaving Father’s office, and he was…unwell,” Herrick said, worry creeping into his tone.

Hakon was with Eydis and had probably been so all night. He didn't need to be a seer to know what was happening.

Envy jaded his emotions quickly at the thought of them together. Hakon had found a woman he loved in the dark alleys of Logi as they fought their way to freedom. Eydis was lovely, and she clearly adored Hakon. It seemed so easy for them. He was happy for his brother but couldn’t shake the jealousy that hung over him.

Herrick shook his head, disgusted with himself for being so jealous of his brother's happiness, even if it was to be short-lived. Just as Herrick wasgoing to say he was off to find Hakon, the man himself walked through his door.

He still wore the same clothes as he had last night when Herrick had seen him, hair thoroughly ruffled as if hands had been running through it all night. The dreamy smile on his face said enough if his hair hadn’t given him away. Herrick made his way over to his older brother, whose face was still plastered with a faint smile.