Page 47 of The Nymph Prince

“I don’t need your help, nymph.” He clutched his bandaged arm and moved his gaze to the large fountain. “I don’t need anyone.”

My heart told me to keep trying. There was certainly something amiss with him. However, I had not the patience.

“If that’s how you feel, then I see no reason to stay here and suffer your miserable company.” I stood from the bench and stormed down the pebble pathway that led from the garden and toward the back terrace.

Whatever had put the mage in a rotten mood was trivial compared to the possibility of war between land and sea.

A small force of soldiers had been sent that morning to journey to the surface. Their mission was confidential, even for me, but I suspected they were supposed to spy on King James and uncover information about his plans. If I was in command over the army, that would be my strategy at least: learn as much as possible about your enemy before making any type of move against them.

“Might I have a word, my prince?” Malik spoke.

I stopped walking and faced him. “Of course.”

We were standing beneath the awning of the breezeway and near the cushioned chairs that people who lived in the palace often sat in when they wanted a moment to themselves.

“Alek is much like you, young prince,” Malik said. The orange of his eyes was more pronounced that day, faintly glowing as his black pupils swirled like smoke. “Do you recall the time the king chastised you for not being skilled enough with blades? He said your aim was atrocious and you’d be the weak link in any battle. You were but a youngling at age ten and wanted to please your father more than anything. I asked you what was wrong, and you snarled at me, too full of pride to admit when you were hurting.”

“I remember,” I answered, smiling at the memory. “You then dragged me to the field, put a blade in my hand, and told me to throw it. I missed again, but then you helped me. You refused to let me leave until I was able to hit the target multiple times. The next day, we did it again, and again, until the blades became an extension of my hand.”

Malik’s eyes filled with a father’s pride. “And what do you suppose would’ve happened had I not pushed you?”

“I would’ve given up, gone to my chamber, and sulked for the rest of the night. I probably wouldn’t be as good with blades as I am to this day. You gave me guidance when all I had was self-doubt.”

With a sigh, I turned and stared through the opening between the columns. Alek still sat on the bench near the fountain, his head angled toward the ground. It was reminiscent of the sadness I’d seen the first time I’d laid eyes on him.

“You mention this story so that I’ll forgive Alek for being an ass?”

“No, I mention it so you’ll see how much he needs you to keep fighting to reach him,” Malik answered. “There are shadows in his eyes that worry me.”

“Since when do you care about Alek?” I asked as my lips quirked upward.

Orange eyes narrowed. “His well-being is tied with yours, and thus, I want no harm to befall him. Physically, mentally, or otherwise.”

“Uh huh.” My smile widened. “I think the mage has grown on you.”

He scoffed.

Before I could continue to tease the large male, Troy ran outside from the palace and headed toward me. He moved with purpose, and my insides coiled with alarm. Had the human king initiated an attack? Were we being ambushed?

“Lor!” he yelled as he advanced closer.

Malik stepped forward, and I was about to snap at him for thinking Troy meant me any harm, but then I saw it. Concern was etched into the guard’s face. Concern for Troy.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as Troy threw his arms around my neck. Always so affectionate he was with me.

I rubbed small circles on his back as I waited for him to respond.

“My sister is here!” he exclaimed, looking at me with excited, violet eyes. Gold paint was on his eyelids and he’d put sparkles on his lashes. “She hasn’t visited in so long. I can’t believe she’s home!”

His sister, Eva, had left Avalontis many years ago in order to find herself. She’d lived a good life here, being one of the best physicians the kingdom had ever seen, but she’d felt trapped within the barrier, much like I did. She visited once every so often, but it’d become less and less over the past few years.

Troy greatly missed her and was ecstatic each time she returned.

“Then why are you with me instead of her?”

Troy buzzed with excitement. “She asked me to find you. And…” He chewed his bottom lip.

“And?”