Page 72 of Winds of Darkness

“Bullshit,” Sawyer scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. “There will be pushback, but it would be better to come forth with this from the start.”

“Calling the Wind Princess a liar is ill-advised,” Ermir cut in, his tone condemning. “But if Briar can help her learn to manage the winds, we welcome his aid.”

“Even if that was all this is, which I still very much doubt, the Water Prince and the Wind Princess working so closely together ought to be disclosed.”

“People will not understand,” Ashtine said, shaking her head. “It breaks laws of old, and they will make other demands to prove it is not more.”

“What other demands?” Sawyer asked, still eyeing them both.

“The Courts will push for both of them to take partners,” Ermir explained. “But that should start being discussed either way. It is long past time—”

Ashtine tensed, but Briar said, “That does not need to be discussed at this moment after the day we have experienced.”

“I think this does need to be discussed before we leave this room,” Sawyer argued.

Briar didn’t appear bothered in the slightest as he smoothly stepped in front of Ashtine. How he’d known that’s what she needed, she didn’t know, but his presence between her and the others eased something in her chest. It was a statement. He was choosing her—and whatever this was—over their Courts.

He couldn’t do that. They couldn’t have this.

“We will discuss this at home, Sawyer,” Briar said.

“Godsdamn right we will,” his brother retorted, the room starting to feel chilly as the siblings argued.

Ignoring his brother’s retort, Briar turned to face her. “You will be all right if I leave?”

Of course not. The moment he left, the winds would pounce.

“Yes,” she answered, stepping back from him and forcing a smile. “Thank you for today. Be well, Prince.”

His eyes narrowed, and she knew he was upset over the formal address, but he couldn’t choose her.

She wasn’t an option for him to choose.

“The next day and the next and not regret a moment of it, Ashtine,” was all he said before he turned away from her. “Ermir, do not hesitate to send a message.”

“Of course, Prince,” her Second answered, but his gaze was pinned on her.

Sawyer followed Briar from the room, the door clicking shut behind them.

“I will ask once, Princess: is it more?” Ermir said, watching her closely.

The balance tips.

She forced her smile brighter, suppressing the wince as the winds descended. “No, Ermir. The wrath of angry gods is not something I seek,” she answered. “Is dinner nearly prepared?”

He studied her a moment longer before nodding. “It is if you are feeling well enough?”

“I would enjoy a meal with you,” she answered, placing her hand in the crook of his arm when he extended it to her. She let him lead her from the room as the winds followed.

Lies and truth, who can tell?

Maybe she was the liar in all of this after all.

The rivers will run red.

A genesis brings death.

A prince of water will fall.