CHAPTER SIXTEEN

W hen I awoke, the sun was already peeking through the small window that sat above our bed. I blinked a few times, trying to slowly welcome the light. A dull ache pulsed at the back of my head and I groaned slightly. After a few moments, I was finally able to fully open my eyes.

The first thing I saw was the full glass of water and small loaf of bread that sat at my bedside table. I stared at them for a moment, slowly trying to piece together where I was. Events of the previous night flashed in my mind. I felt dazed as I tried to bring the memories back. I looked down at my chest and saw the necklace of flowers, now wilted and falling apart.

That’s right. The full moon celebration.

The Monuvians had kept handing me this intoxicating drink, in all senses of the word.

In that moment, the memories came back full force, and the dull ache in my head grew stronger.

I sat up quickly and turned to find Elias in bed next to me, sleeping peacefully. At least he didn’t sleep on the floor , I thought. I stared at his handsome features before remembering everything else that had happened the previous night. My body cringed at the memory of caressing his face, and his immediate rejection.

But he had said “you can’t do that to me.” Can’t do it to him . What did he even mean? Would he have given into the temptation, had I not been drunk? Before I could ponder it any further, Elias began to stir.

He opened his eyes as slowly as I had, inhaling deeply through his nose. He was still fully clothed, as was I, so at least that confirmed I didn’t do anything else stupid before falling asleep. I certainly didn’t think I was drunk enough to have any missing memories. I almost wish I had been, though. Then I wouldn’t have remembered how I made such a fool of myself. Wouldn’t remember his stiff rejection.

“Good morning,” I said hoarsely, not realizing how dry my throat was until I spoke. I immediately reached for the glass of water, forcing some down. The quick movement made me feel a little queasy.

“Good morning, Princess,” Elias said with a crooked smile. “How are you feeling?”

I took another sip of water. “I might be suffering just a little,” I said after forcing it down. Elias’s grin widened. I glared at him. “Don’t look so smug,” I hissed.

He let out a small laugh and put his hands up in defeat. “I’m not the one who accepted a drink from a stranger. And three of them, at that.”

My eyes widened. “Did I really have three of them?”

“Yes. And on an empty stomach.”

I groaned. “They were strong, too.”

“I can tell. ”

My cheeks flushed and I turned away, lowering my legs over the side of the bed. “I apologize if I did anything to make you uncomfortable,” I said softly, not turning to look at him.

The mattress shifted as he stood from the bed. “Don’t worry about it,” he answered from behind me, a slight hint of dismay in his tone.

That was good enough for me, I thought. I wouldn’t bring it up again, if not just for him, but also to prevent my own discomfort in reliving the rejection.

“Speaking of empty stomach,” Elias broke the awkward tension. “We should get you something to eat.”

I put my hand to my abdomen, feeling queasy again. “I’m not sure I can stomach anything yet,” I admitted, finally turning to look at him.

Elias crossed his arms. “If we’re going to get out of this kingdom and continue our journey, you’ll need to recover quickly. And the only way to do that is by eating something.”

I rolled my eyes. “I hate that you’re right.”

Elias walked over and put his hand out to help me up. I stared from his hand to his honey eyes, wishing I wasn’t already craving his touch. But I took his hand anyway, energy surging, and we made our way down the creaky steps of the inn into the foyer.

A booming laugh could be heard from the small staircase, and I recognized it as Sam. As we made our way to the inn’s main entrance area, I saw a wide array of customers both sitting and standing around, chatting. Sam stood next to an elderly woman who sat at a big chair stationed by the fireplace. I wondered if it was the same lady who yelled at us from below our room the night before.

Sam turned as we entered. “My newest guests!” the large man shouted to us with enthusiasm. My head began to pound from the loudness of it. “Please, find a seat and I will bring you some breakfast!”

Elias and I looked at each other before complying, finding an empty table at the back of the room. As we sat, I rubbed my temples, trying to dim the headache that was quickly emerging. Elias watched me with concern.

After only a few minutes, Sam bounced happily over to our table with two plates in hand. “Ah yes, I recognize that look all too well,” he said with a dramatic pout. “I’m certain this will help.” He laid the plate down in front of me. The smell hit me first, before I noted the large chunks of red meat and huge mound of cooked eggs, next to two fresh rolls of bread. While I wasn’t hungry before, I could not deny the alluring look and smell of the meal.

“Thank you, Sam,” I said quietly, failing to match his energy in my current state.

“Of course, my darling!” he answered happily, as he set the second plate down on the table in front of Elias. “Please enjoy, and holler for me if you need me!” Without another word, the large, boisterous man wandered off to mingle with more of his guests. I couldn’t help but admire his gleeful attitude.

Elias and I both scarfed down our food in less than a few minutes. It was absolutely delectable. To my pleasure, it really did help settle my stomach. Sam arrived again after we finished, with two hot mugs of tea. He placed them on the table and began to laugh. “You two must have been starving!” he said loudly. “I’ll go grab you some more, on the house.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly ask that of you,” I countered. “At least let me pay.” I began pulling a pouch of coins from my pack when Sam interrupted.

“No need, my dear,” he said, placing his hand on my shoulder. The weight of it forced me to lean sideways a little. “I refuse to see a guest of mine go hungry. If it were up to me, I’d feed everyone until they were my size!” He laughed loudly once again as he patted his round belly with his hands.

I giggled in return.

Elias looked unamused.

I let Sam’s laughter subside before continuing. “Well, thank you,” I said. “If there is anything we can do for you, please let us know.”

Elias nodded in silent agreement.

Sam shook his head. “I just want you to enjoy your stay in my beautiful kingdom,” he said joyfully. “Monuvia is full of wonder and beauty. And the city of Enaver has some of the best food and shops in the kingdom. Take advantage of it while you’re here!”

“We will,” I smiled, glancing at Elias.

Sam chuckled, and left to fetch us our second helpings. We finished them almost as quickly as the first, then said our goodbyes to Sam and walked out of the inn into the crisp, cool air of the Monuvian morning.

“Sam is quite a character, isn’t he?” I joked to Elias as we walked towards the city center.

Elias grunted sightly. “I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone like him,” he answered.

Neither had I, and the thought made me smile. “I like him,” I laughed.

Elias grinned in return, and I knew he agreed. With that, we made our way to the center of Enaver. As we walked through the city, I noted all the different shops that were laid out. It reminded me of Rimor in this way, how there was a different type of shop on every corner. But while the cities in Rimor and Chatus had streets designated for busy markets as well as shops, Enaver had no markets. It was more quiet. Peaceful.

The kingdom did not have large castles of stone or gold, like Rimor and Chatus. Instead, Queen Janness and the twins lived in a small palace in the city of Tynvaris towards the back of the kingdom. The palace was made up of mosaic tile and stained glass. I had been there a few times when I was a child, and I almost preferred it to my oversized home.

I told Elias we should avoid Tynvaris, as I was sure the Queen or her heirs would recognize me. He agreed, and we kept towards the city center.

Since there was no market, we had to find each shop separately and enter the buildings to make our purchases. First, we found a butcher shop and stocked up on more dried meats and jerkies. Then we found a small store that sold hard cheeses and breads, and another that was owned by a produce farmer who sold dried fruits. By the first hour, we had enough food to last us another few weeks, if we spread the meals out, ate lightly, and hunted in between.

By the second hour, we headed to an apothecary and bought a decent number of bandages and medicines, Elias buying more than myself. I guessed he was being extra precautious about one or both of us suffering more injuries. I rolled my eyes at him as he spent a small fortune on the items, nearly filling his pack.

We walked around Enaver for a little while, crossing bridges and checking each side street before we found a tailor. While I packed several sets of clothes, one tunic was already completely tattered from my tumble through Rebellia River, and Elias had ripped the sleeves off one of his to stop the bleeding caused by Horus’s sword. So we were both in need of some extra clothes.

The woman working inside took one look at my filthy attire and grabbed my arm to show me what she had for sale. She had a large selection of leather pants similar to my own, and I wondered if this was where my uncle had bought them.

The woman looked up and down at Elias next. “I am not sure this shop will have anything that fits your physique,” she said, referring to his tall frame and large muscles. “We mostly have women’s and children’s clothes here,” she continued. “But when I’m done with your friend, I can tell you where to find The Village Makers. It’s a shop that sells more men’s clothing.”

I thanked her, and explained what I was looking for, for myself. No dresses or skirts, only durable, maneuverable attire. She looked bemused, but brought me some of her leather trousers and thick fabric tops that she thought would fit me. I walked out of the dressing room to show Elias my favorite ensemble to far – dark leather trousers and a matching leather top that cut off at the shoulders. The shopkeeper offered me detached sleeves that tightly wrapped up my arms, just past my elbow. The thick boots she brought me also fit perfectly, laced up to the middle of my shin.

“How do I look?” I asked Elias.

He turned from the clothes on display he was viewing, and I watched his eyes slightly light up. “Like a warrior,” he grinned.

I smiled back, cheeks flush with color.

“Well I was going for a more modest look than that,” the lady interrupted. “But I guess you’re right.”

I stifled a laugh, and offered the woman payment for the clothing without taking them off. I paid for an extra set, as well as a blouse I liked, worried I didn’t have room for much else in my pack. She took my payment, then gave us general directions to The Village Makers so Elias could get nicer, cleaner clothes as well.

The sun rose high in the sky as we followed the woman’s directions, and I realized the day was already half over. Soon, we found The Village Makers, and I immediately noted the shop right next door. The Flaming Point was a weapons shop, with steel blades and daggers displayed in the front window.

Elias noted me admiring them behind the glass. “Why don’t you go ahead and see if they have a bow, or anything you need. I can grab some clothes and meet you in there.”

I glanced at him. “Are you sure?” I asked, feeling guilty that he had to wait on me while I tried on the clothing at the last shop .

“Definitely,” he answered.

I nodded, and we each walked into our designated shops.

When I stepped into the Flaming Point, I found no shopkeeper or weaponsmith at work. In fact, I seemed to be the only patron there. I took slow steps, admiring each weapon I could see. There were swords, daggers, axes, maces, and other weapons I didn’t even recognize. It wasn’t until I made it towards the back of the shop that I saw a bow on display behind a protective box of glass. I immediately fixated on its beauty.

The intricate design carved into the bow was delicate and unique. I had never seen anything like it. Or had I? I immediately unsheathed my own dagger, previously belonging to my mother, that lay at my side at all times. The small details formed into its hilt were very similar to those on the bow. I was intrigued, and for that alone, I knew I had to have it. I placed my dagger back in its sheath, and continued to stare at the bow in awe.

“Like what you see?” a female voice said from behind me. I nearly jumped out of my skin, and quickly turned to face her.

A beautiful woman stepped out from a doorway and wiped her dirty hands on a rag as she smiled at me. She was stunningly gorgeous, with caramel-colored skin and jet-black hair that laid over her shoulder in an intricate braid. Her brown eyes were infinitely deep, her lips full, and her jawline defined. Although they were very different in looks, this woman’s beauty nearly matched that of my mother’s. She also radiated the same confidence that my mother had.

I stopped my jaw from dropping to the floor, and forced myself to straighten. “I was just admiring this bow,” I told her, trying not to stutter. “The detail is exquisite.”

The beautiful stranger stepped towards me, placing her now dirty rag into the pocket of her smudged apron. “I made it myself,” she smiled, now standing next to me. “It’s made from laurel wood, imported from Chatus.”

She opened the display case and pulled out the large bow. When she handed it to me, I immediately ran my fingers down its curve, feeling the indentations from where she carved her unique designs.

“It’s beautiful,” I muttered. “How much do you want for it?”

She snickered. “This is the best bow I’ve made by far. A lot of people admire it, but can’t afford it.”

“How much?” I asked again.

She raised a brow, recognizing the seriousness in my voice. She grinned at me, her white teeth gleaming. “Sixty gold,” she answered. “For an extra five, I’ll throw in a quiver and two dozen arrows.”

“Deal,” I said quickly, running my hand along the string. I didn’t even bother to hide my wealth. Not when I wanted the bow so badly. I pulled a leather pouch from my pack, only briefly stopping to wonder if I’d have enough gold pieces left over to pay Elias the second half of his dues.

I counted out the sixty-five pieces and placed them in a pile on the countertop while the woman went to the back to retrieve the quiver and arrows. When she returned, she scraped the coins into her own rabbit-skin pouch without thought.

“You’re not going to count them?” I asked, referring to the gold.

The stranger looked me up and down, causing a shiver to run down my spine. “I trust you,” she said with a sly smile. “My name is Trybe, in case you ever want to come back to my shop. I’d love your business.” She winked, and I let out a shy laugh.

“I’d be happy to,” I gleamed. “My name is Aura.”

Shit . I silently cursed myself for forgetting to give a different name. Trybe’s personality made it so easy to open up to her. Perhaps a little too easy.

“Lovely to meet you, Aura,” Trybe gave a shallow bow with her head. She handed me the quiver and arrows and I must have looked awkward holding them, because she said, “You do know how to use it, right? Don’t want you breaking my finest work.”

“Oh, well, sort of. My friend is teaching me.”

Trybe watched as I set the bow and the arrows on the counter and awkwardly tried to strap the quiver over my shoulders. “Well, if you’re in town for a while longer, I am a master archer. People come from all over Monuvia to train with me, many looking to become masters themselves. I have some targets in the back behind the shop, if you and your friend would like to practice and test out your new bow.”

I gave a wide smile. “That would be great, actually. I can definitely ask him.”

At that moment, the door to the shop opened, and we both peeked our heads around the displays to take a look. I saw Elias enter the shop and begin to search for me, a look of worry on his face.

“There he is now,” I pointed. Elias heard me, and began making his way over to us. “This is my friend—”

“Elias,” Trybe gasped. Her eyes widened, and Elias stopped walking and mirrored her expression. She ran over to him and embraced him tightly.

A look of recognition crossed his face. “Trybe,” he answered breathily. He reached his arms around and held her tightly, and I felt a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Trybe pulled away and placed her hands on Elias’s shoulders, looking him up and down like she was inspecting him fully. “Dear gods, I thought you were dead.” A tear slid down her cheek as her voice shook.

“I wasn’t that lucky,” Elias replied somberly.

Tears slid down Trybe’s other cheek, and she attempted to wipe them away before more filled their place. “It has been so long. I can’ t believe it.”

Elias gave her a half-smile. “It is nice to see you too, Trybe. I wish I had known you were here, I would have come sooner.”

What did that mean?

I cleared my throat and the pair both turned to me.

“I’m so sorry, how rude of me,” Trybe said, wiping her eyes a final time. “Your friend Aura has just purchased my best bow. We were about to test it out back, but…”

I raised my hand up to stop her. “No, it’s okay. If you two need to catch up, I can find something else to do.” I said the words out of respect, but I wasn’t sure I meant them. The last thing I wanted was for Elias to be alone with her. But I knew how ridiculous that was. I gave a fake smile to the pair, and I swore I saw Elias frown slightly.

Trybe glanced between me and Elias. “I don’t want to impose on the day the two of you had planned,” she stated. “But I would love to catch up. I haven’t seen Elias in…what feels like centuries.” She then turned to me. “If that’s okay.”

I smiled back, although not completely genuine. “Of course.” I grabbed my bow and its accessories and walked towards the door. I paused in front of Elias, glancing up at him. “I’ll meet you at the inn later?” I asked hopefully.

Elias nodded, and I continued walking.

“Aura,” I heard him call out to me.

I turned to look at him as I reached the door, hope igniting that he had changed his mind and would stay with me.

“Be safe. Come find me if you need me,” he said with a dip of his head.

My heart dropped a bit, and a look of concern crossed his features. I stared at the perfect duo for a moment, any remaining confidence I had depleting. “I’ll do my best,” I answered, as I gave them a wave and left them alone.

Each step I took away from the weapons shop brought more nausea to my stomach. Elias now stood alone with the most beautiful woman I had ever met. And they seemed more than friendly with one another. I realized the heavy pit that sat at the bottom of my stomach was jealousy.

It was not an unfamiliar feeling. I was always jealous of Rose and all of the other Rimorian citizens who could walk through Rimor as they pleased. I was jealous of wanderers who got to see the stars every night. I was jealous of anyone who still had their mothers to hold them and tell them they loved them.

And now I was jealous of Trybe

I clenched and unclenched my fists, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that I knew was unwarranted. Trybe seemed perfectly pleasant. Maybe they really were just old friends that simply wanted to catch up.

After a moment, I realized I had been walking for a few minutes with no destination. I decided to make my way back to the inn, and put away my new weapon before it brought any attention to myself. I got to the StarMoon Inn, and confirmed with Sam that he didn’t already book up our room. I assumed we would remain in Monuvia for at least one more night, since the day was fading. But we had already lost precious time. Each day we stayed stagnant was extra time for my father to find us.

Reluctantly, I paid Sam for another night and received the key back from him. I went to the room and hid the bow, quiver, and arrows under the bed just in case, then left the inn.

Making my way back towards the city center, I looked around at my surroundings. Children played in the streets, running through the shallow streams with their bare feet. I noticed that my own feet ached a little, as I hadn’t yet broken in the new boots. I found a bridge that crossed about two feet above a deeper stream, and decided to make my way to it. I sat on the bridge and took my boots off, setting them down at my side. I dangled my legs over the edge and dipped my feet into the cool water, sighing at the immediate relief it brought me.

I observed the peaceful kingdom around me, and slightly ached for my own. I wondered how different Rimor would feel once I returned. How different my relationship with my father would be. And I wondered if Elias would come with me.

Sudden images of Elias filled my mind, all of them showing Trybe at his side. I let out a deep sigh, feeling irritated at how irrational my feelings were. What could even realistically happen between me and Elias? A blacksmith would be a better fit for him than a princess would. I should be happy for him.

Should be…but couldn’t help but feel otherwise. It was selfish of me, and I hated myself for it.

I lifted my feet out of the stream and let them dry before replacing my boots. I decided I was going to find some food and a stiff drink.

After asking some of the locals, I found my way to a tavern just outside Enaver’s city limits. I walked in, and found a quaint, pub-like atmosphere inside. It was nothing like the Cracked Hoof, but also not as light and easygoing as Sam’s inn. Many of the tables were filled with patrons enjoying their meals and drinks. Some tables were loud, some quiet, and all minding their own business. I walked toward the quieter section and found a small, empty table. I sat down and flagged down a barmaid, who then brought me an ale and some stew.

I couldn’t compare the stew to Sam’s breakfast, but it did its job of filling me up and leaving me satisfied. About one hour and two ales later, dusk had settled and I was ready to make my way back to the inn. Elias had given me some copper pieces to help blend in, as I slowly realized not many people carried gold, and I placed a few of them on the table. I started to stand up, when in the corner of my eye I saw a familiar pair entering the tavern .

Elias and Trybe.

I don’t know why I felt the need to hide myself, but I did. I sat back down and scooted my chair until I was hidden behind a large pillar. Elias and Trybe sat down at a table that was only a few tables from my own, and I slouched down in my seat, the barmaid eyeing me curiously as she walked by.

After I was sure I hadn’t been spotted, I began focusing on the voices around me until I could recognize theirs. They were close enough that I could hear them, but far enough that I could only make out bits and pieces of their conversation.

What was I doing? I should have just left. I was better than eavesdropping. It was disrespectful and desperate.

And yet, I couldn’t stop myself.

“I will brew something up tonight. But without me there with you, it will only be temporary,” I heard Trybe say. Then something like, “I wish I could come with you, but…I just can’t go back there.”

“I understand,” was Elias’s gentle response.

Where was she talking about? The Forest of Torment? Had she been there too?

“I wish I could help you more…” Trybe said, and the rest I couldn’t make out.

“You’ve offered more than enough,” said Elias. I peeked over and saw Elias place his hand on Trybe’s, and my heart sank. I began to wonder if she felt the same sparks of energy from Elias’s touch that I always did. I attempted to lean over to get a closer look at Trybe’s reaction to his touch, but my head was met with the body of the barmaid, who was carrying a platter of drinks.

As she collided with my head, at least two of the drinks toppled over and spilled all over the floor, and the barmaid let out an unladylike curse. I grabbed the handkerchief they offered with my food and bent down to try to clean up some of the mess .

“I’m so sorry. Please, let me help you.”

The barmaid thanked me, and we wiped up the spill together.

As I stood, I looked over to see Elias and Trybe were staring directly at me, a look of bewilderment on both their faces. “Oh um, hi,” I said, rubbing the back of my head. “I didn’t know you two were here. I was just leaving, actually.”

Other tavern patrons were staring at me now, and I felt my cheeks redden. I wanted nothing more than to run out of there, especially before someone recognized me. So I awkwardly started walking towards the door.

“Wait!” a voice shouted. It wasn’t Elias, but Trybe. She walked over and gently grabbed my hand. “Please stay! I would actually love to get to know you more.” Before I could protest, Trybe led me over to their table and pulled out the chair next to Elias, then sat at her own across from him. I placed myself on the seat she pulled out for me, feeling the heat of Elias at my side.

“Elias has already spoken so highly of you,” she continued. I heard Elias let out an annoyed growl, and I raised my brow. “Well you have,” Trybe said, rolling her eyes at him. She turned back to me. “Tell me about yourself!” Her smile could light up a room.

“This is not the time or place,” Elias said quietly through gritted teeth. I began to wonder how much Elias had told her. Did he tell her who I really was?

“He’s right,” I said shyly. “I can’t say much, in case there are prying ears.”

Trybe nodded in understanding. “You know what? It’s getting late anyway. Why don’t you and Elias come back down to the shop early tomorrow morning and I can give you those archery lessons. I have an important student coming an hour or so after dawn. If you come early enough, you can be gone before his lessons start.”

My discomfort subsided at the topic of archery. “That would be wonderful, actually,” I admitted. Although I knew we shouldn’t stay in Monuvia much longer than we needed to, I couldn’t pass up the offer to be able to put the bow to good use. Elias, surprisingly, did not disagree. Or maybe it wasn’t surprising at all. Maybe he wanted more time with Trybe.

My unease returned.

“Great!” Trybe beamed. “Think you can be there before dawn?”

“I’ll be there as early as I can,” I replied, hoping in the back of my mind that I wouldn’t regret the decision. Part of me wanted archery lessons with Trybe, the other part of me wanted to grab Elias and get away from her and Monuvia as soon as possible. I turned to Elias to see if I could read his expression.

Per usual, he was impassive.

“Wonderful. I’ll just leave you two alone for the evening then.” Trybe grinned at Elias as he gave her a side-eyed glance. “I have some work to do tonight,” she finished, and I swore from the corner of my eye I saw her wink at Elias.

We said goodnight to Trybe, and she left us at the tavern, sitting in awkward silence. Elias ordered some of the stew, and I told him I already ate. While we sat and waited, I twiddled my thumbs. I hated the uneasy feeling between us. Even after last night’s debacle, things were okay. But now that Trybe was added in the mix? Things felt…uncomfortable.

I wanted to ask him more about Trybe, and what they talked about together all day. Or what else they might have done. But, I decided against it. I was tired, irritated, and ready to rest.

Elias finished and paid for his meal, and we walked back to the StarMoon Inn in silence. I crawled into the bed, but didn’t feel Elias do the same. I looked back, and he stood there watching me, contemplating.

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking about sleeping on the floor again,” I joked.

Elias’s muscles relaxed and he half-smiled. He made his way into the bed next to me, but I made sure to turn away and sleep at the very edge, careful not to touch him. I didn’t want whatever the weird energy he emitted when we touched to cause the same desires as the previous night.

He didn’t seem to question the distance between us, and a tinge of sadness filled me. Soon, we both fell asleep without another word.

The next morning, Elias gently woke me before the sun began to rise, telling me we should make our way to Trybe’s shop for archery lessons. While I was excited, I wondered if Elias was too. I wondered if he was just eager to see her again, and the thought made my stomach churn. I ignored it, and we made our way to the Flaming Point before even Sam was up.

We met Trybe just outside of her shop where she welcomed me with a hug I wasn’t expecting, before doing the same with Elias. Then she led us towards the back, and we followed her through a gate and around the building to a fenced area. The area was narrow, but long, with two wooden targets perched at the back of the lot, white paint marking the bullseye and the sections around it. Behind the targets was a stone wall, likely the neighboring shop, so it would be impossible for us to shoot too far.

Trybe spent a good thirty minutes showing me correct elbow placement, how to aim, and how to breathe while aiming, before I was even allowed to pull the drawstring on my bow. Her teachings reminded me of my uncle, and his slow but important lessons on the basics. All the while, Elias sat in a chair behind us, watching silently with amusement.

Eventually, it was time to take my first shot. I combined all of the techniques she just drilled into my brain, and let go of the arrow. It hit only a few inches above the bullseye. The bow felt immensely different from the simple ones Elias made in the woods. Not only was the craftsmanship impeccable, but the bow was lightweight yet sturdy, and shooting it felt natural and easy.

“You’re a very fast learner!” Trybe praised, clasping her hands together excitedly.

“Thank you,” I blushed. I turned to Elias, and swore I saw a hint of pride in his stare.

I shot again, and again, and again. Sometimes I hit a little closer to the center of the target, sometimes a little farther. Sometimes I didn’t hit the target at all, and the arrow bounced of the stone wall instead.

“Not all arrows are the same,” Trybe explained to me. “You could shoot two arrows back-to-back in the exact same manner, and they won’t hit the same spot. It will take time, but eventually you’ll learn how to recognize the weight and density of each arrow, and how it will affect your shot. But for now, you’re doing amazing!”

Her encouragement brought a genuine smile to my face, and I kept going. After a while, my injured arm was getting sore. It didn’t feel like the wound had reopened, but felt like it could if I wasn’t careful.

“We can take a quick break,” Trybe said as she noticed me rubbing my arm. There were only two chairs at the back of the property, so Elias stood up and let us take them. Trybe crossed her legs and leaned forward towards me. “So, Aura. What is Rimor like these days? What was it like growing up there?”

What did she mean by these days ? And how did she know I was from Rimor? I glanced at Elias anxiously with a look that screamed “does she know who I am?”

He dipped his head.

“He didn’t tell me who you are, believe it or not,” Trybe interrupted, reading our expressions. “I guessed. I’m very intuitive. Your secret is safe with me, I promise.” She gave me a genuine smile, and I looked at Elias again. There was no look of unease on his features. I guess if Elias trusted her, I did too.

With Trybe’s easygoing personality and calming energy, it was easy to talk to her. I told her what life was like before my mother passed. How she used to take me to Oreross’s city center every so often, where we handed food out to the poor. My mother refused to let the excessive food the cooks made at the castle be thrown out when there were hungry people in her kingdom.

I told Trybe how we used to go to the theater and watch plays, and how we used to garden together. “Those are the only memories I have to hold onto. A lot of the rest are…hazy.”

“Oh?” Trybe raised her brow.

I swallowed. “Yes, I lost of lot of my memories after my brush with death.”

Elias stiffened beside us.

“My mother was murdered on our way to an event in Chatus,” I continued. “They found me in the woods three days later, barely alive. I don’t remember any of it.”

Elias remained tense. “You didn’t tell me this,” he said.

“You never asked,” I shrugged. I continued on. “After my mother passed, my father became overbearing. He loves me dearly, and I love him too. But I feel like a prisoner. I can’t leave the castle without an escort. I’m banned from visiting certain places within the kingdom. I am forbidden from learning to fight or doing anything that has even a slim chance of putting me in harm’s way.”

Trybe listened intently, and I could tell Elias was invested as well. It felt nice to share this aloud with somebody. Had Elias ever asked, I probably would have let it all out like this as well. But he seemed as apathetic as he was secretive.

Trybe put a hand on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry. That must have been so difficult for you, to not have your freedom. You’re free now though, it seems.”

I gave a half-smile. But before I could respond, we heard the gate to the small archery range creak open. “Shit, I must have lost track of time,” Trybe cursed. “You better hurry out of here before—”

“Trybe?” a man’s voice called out. “I brought you a bite to eat if you’re hungry.” The man stepped out from behind the wall, and we all froze. He locked eyes with me immediately, and my heart jumped to my throat. I recognized him the second I met his gaze.

And there was no doubt he recognized me too.

“Aurelia?” the Prince of Monuvia let out an excited whisper.