Page 42 of The Nymph Prince

“Freedom,” Troy answered, a bit sad now. He looked up at the sky of water. “She felt trapped here, much like Lor does. She now lives in the surface world, helping humans. As long as she’s happy, I am, too. But I miss her.”

“Can you not go and visit her?”

Troy’s brows pulled together and he quickly shook his head. “No. I… I’ve never been to the surface.”

I gaped. “Never?”

“I don’t need to see the world. I’m happy where I am.”

There was more he wasn’t saying. I knew fear when I saw it. The nervous way he’d moved through the Great Hall during the feast was evident enough. It wasn’t my place to push him, though, especially since we’d just started being amicable toward each other.

Testing such a thin bond was unwise.

“She comes to visit me every so often.” Troy moved a hand to his opposite arm in an awkward stance. “It’s unfortunate she’s not here now. She’s a female mage and could help you.”

Nowthatgot my attention.

“I was unaware that merfolk could be mages,” I said, finding it bizarre.

Troy smiled. “You think humans are the only ones that Hecate blesses with her magic? How endearing you are.”

“Hecate?”

“Surely you jest,” he said, astonished.

“I do not. Who is the wench?”

“Thatwenchis Hecate, the goddess of magic, night, and necromancy. Her mother was the nymph Asteria and her father was a titan, giving her power over land and sea. She blesses children from both. It’s because of Hecate that you have magic flowing through your veins.”

“Forgive me if I don’t jump for joy at such a thing,” I said in a dry tone. “I never asked for this life.”

“Of course not. No one chooses their fate.” Troy’s violet eyes seemed to see into my very soul. “You were chosen for it.”

Chosen. But for what?

I was beginning to loathe the wordfate. Lorcan said we’d been brought together because of fate, yet I didn’t know why fate would wish to unite us. He was a creature of the sea, and I of the land. I couldn’t stay in Avalontis forever, and he couldn’t leave.

If fatedidwish for us to be together, it was even more twisted than I’d thought.

“Do you want to accompany me to the field?” Troy asked, seeming just as eager to change the topic as me. “Lor should be finished with petitions soon and he’s meeting me there to train.”

After I agreed, we walked the rest of the way through the palace gardens, passing all of those strange plants again, and found the path through the marketplace.

If you weren’t accustomed to markets, it could be overwhelming for the senses: sounds, smells, and being touched by various people. There were stands that sold perfumes, oils, and papyrus, and there were others that sold shiny trinkets and silk. The butcher’s shop had meat hanging in the window and the bakery had the most delicious aroma coming from its doors.

“Is this how the market is in your world?” Troy walked at a dawdling pace, stopping every so often to admire a piece of jewelry or clothing. He seemed fond of the colors red and purple, as he kept touching robes of that hue.

“Aye, not much is different.”

Troy nodded and continued to look around. “I enjoy seeing what goods they bring back from the surface. Humans may be cruel, but they’re fascinating in their designs and manner of dress.”

“I’m sure many would say the same about you,” I said, observing the netted top he wore. “Do all merfolk show so much skin?”

Most of their clothing was made of nets, embroidered with tiny stones or shells, and some of the women wore tops made of larger shells to cover their breasts. Leather seemed to be another material used, mainly by the guards and other warriors.

I’d been given the usual tunic and trousers I was used to wearing from the surface world, and I was grateful. I didn’t want to walk around wearing practically nothing.

“It is our way.” Troy looked down at his top before glancing at mine. “Do you not get hot wearing so much clothing?”