Page 37 of Winds of Darkness

She can. She must, or the balance will tip and—

“Dinner sounds lovely,” Ashtine said suddenly, interrupting whatever Renly was saying.

He blinked a few times before saying, “Okay … Ermir will be pleased.”

“Shall we go eat?”

“Right now?”

“It is the latter part of the evening, is it not?”

Renly nodded slowly. “Princess, is everything all right?”

But Ashtine only nodded, turning and leading the way back down the same path they’d just taken. Renly spoke to some staff as they passed, asking them to prepare dinner sooner than planned, and she felt a little guilty about the sudden change of plans. But if she wanted some peace from her Court for the next few days, she needed to have this meal with them. It usually kept them placated for at least a week, and then she found it easier to slip away to the catacombs or move among the winds.

Minutes after she’d taken a seat at the dining table, Ermir and Sion, the general of her forces, came through the door, eyes immediately falling to her. She forced a smile, hands folded in her lap.

“I didn’t quite believe the note when Renly said you were joining us for dinner,” Sion said with a fond smile.

“Why would he lie about something so trivial?” Ashtine asked curiously.

“He only means you have been hard to track down as of late,” Ermir answered, taking his seat to her right before reaching over and squeezing her arm gently. “How do you fare, Princess?”

Forcing another small smile, she answered, “Well. And you?”

Ermir chuckled softly, reaching to fill her glass with wine. “I suppose I should have worded that in a different manner. While I am glad you are physically well, despite forgetting to eat several meals, how are you faring otherwise? I know the winds have been troubling you lately, Princess.”

Princess.

She knew they called her that out of respect. It was her title, and Ermir had insisted everyone use it because she was so young when she took her throne. He didn’t want anyone using her given name as a way to subtly undermine her. She understood that, but hearing Prince Briar use her name earlier in the day had been …

She didn’t know what it had been, but she suddenly found herself wishing more people used it. Talwyn used it frequently, but that was different. Ermir had stopped using it the day of her coronation.Now that she was really giving it thought, she couldn’t recall the last time someone other than Talwyn had used her given name outside of introducing her.

Waves and winds will call to forces you do not want here,came the whisper, stirring her hair as the winds curled around her ear.

Ashtine reached for her wine, eyeing the open window. It took several seconds before she realized how still and silent the room had become. She found the eyes of her most-trusted on her, full of worry and unease, and not for the first time, she wished her mother were here. Or, at the very least,someoneelse who could hear the constant chattering of the winds.

“How did she manage them?” Ashtine asked into the quiet of the room.

Sion and Renly exchanged a look, but Ermir’s features softened in understanding. “Ophelia had centuries of experience with the winds, and even then, there were times she felt overwhelmed by their veiled whispers and ominous chattering.”

He could say her mother’s name, but not hers.

It made her inexplicably want to throw something.

Power will be resurrected.

Darkness and fire of the stars will draw out the prince who hides in plain sight.

Gritting her teeth, Ashtine pushed to her feet, moving to shut the open window. It wouldn’t do any good, but it was an excuse to leave the table for a moment. But as she reached for the small handle, the cry of a hawk had her pausing.

Nasima.

She hadn’t seen the silver hawk in several weeks, and a part of her had felt out of sorts that entire time. Something eased in her chest as she spotted the bird gliding on the winds of the Shira Cliffs. The hawk was the spirit animal of Sefarina, the goddess of wind, and she was bonded to Ashtine. She knew her bond with Nasima was unique. She’d seen Talwyn and Prince Azrael with their bonded spirit animals. The wolf and red stag came and went as they pleased, gone more than they were present, but Nasimararely left Ashtine for more than a day or two at a time. Weeks without her had only increased her agitation.

Instead of grasping the handle, Ashtine extended her hand out into the cool air. Moments later, taloned feet wrapped gently around her forearm, and she brought the bird inside, brushing her fingers down soft feathers.

“Where have you been, my friend?” she murmured. Nasima clicked her beak and tipped her head into Ashtine’s touch.