Page 41 of Winds of Darkness

Briar’s lips twitched. “No, Princess. It was just an observation.”

“Did you do well in your academics as a child, Prince?”

“Very well,” he answered, more than curious about where this line of questioning was going.

“And your studies included geography of the realm?”

“They did.”

“Then one would assume you would know the climate differences of our two Courts and not find the chill of the Shira Cliffs surprising,” she concluded.

“My trip here was … unplanned,” he said, unable to hide his smile now.

“So it would seem,” she replied. “Would you like to sit?”

“If you would be more comfortable.”

“I would,” she answered, moving back to the sofa and sitting once more.

Briar opted for a chair near the table, pulling out the cushioned one with armrests and taking a seat. “Again, I apologize for the unplanned visit.”

“And the purpose of it?” she asked.

“I did not like how things were left after your visit to the Water Court.”

Her head tilted, Briar assuming the winds were speaking to her, but she quickly turned and started gathering the various papers scattered around her. “I appreciate you not speaking of that visit to my Inner Court.” She glanced up at him. “Unless you did speak of it?”

He shook his head. “That is not my place, Princess.”

She nodded, stacking the papers atop each other. “If I offended you for how I left you that day, I apologize.”

“You did not offend me.”

Her movements faltered, but she moved on to organizing books. “Forgive me, Prince, but I do not understand what you are asking of me then.”

“I am not asking anything of you.”

She sighed, clearly exasperated despite her pleasant tone when she said, “Then I do not understand the purpose of this visit.”

“You had concerns when you visited me. I do not think you were afforded the opportunity to adequately express them,” he answered.

She cleared her throat lightly. “My Court feels those concerns are unfounded. I should not have troubled you with them.”

“Do you feel they are unfounded, Ashtine?” Her gaze snapped to his, and he winced. “I apologize for the use of your name. Again.”

“No one uses my given name. Only Talwyn on occasion.”

“I apologize.”

“I find I do not mind when you say it,” she replied.

He wasn’t sure what to say to that.

“Would you like me to abstain from using it?”

“No. I do not think I would like that,” she said in her usual lilt as she returned to straightening her books and papers.

Briar looked around the room, noting the untouched tray of food and full glass of water on a small cart that had been shoved into the corner. “Can we return to the earlier discussion? Do you feel the concerns you came to visit with me about are unfounded?”