All of the Isalee fields I’d been working on outside of Whimseal had bloomed to life.
Like the field in Harrivee, young plants emerged, budding signs of life despite the fierce weather and raging snow. The gray dirt was gone, healthy and moist black soil taking its place. And the vibrant colors of the immature, nurturing plants made any doubt over those fields’ failing future vanish from my thoughts.
“Again, Ilara! No dilly-dallying.”
I pulled up my fire affinity once more. Across the room, Meegana and Beatrice practiced their affinities too, while a group of males watched on. Georgyanna hadn’t made an appearance yet today, which had at least allowed me to practice in peace.
Matron Olsander barked out another order, then activated the training room’s magic to make my next drill even more challenging. She didn’t let up. The female constantly pushed and coaxed me, yet her uncanny knack for helping others understand their affinities benefited me immensely, and I was so very grateful for that.
Hours later, I eyed the clock as my stomach let out a ferocious growl.
Matron Olsander must have heard it because she said, “I think that’s enough for today, Ilara. Why don’t you venture to the kitchens for something to eat? You’ve worked hard. Consume much nutrition and get plenty of sleep tonight.”
I inclined my head in thanks. Since Beatrice and Meegana looked busy, I didn’t ask them if they wanted to join me and instead slipped out of the room.
Servants bustled down the hall as scents from the kitchen wafted through the air. It smelled of roasted duck and baked fruit pies. My stomach let out another growl, and I peered down the hall to the statue of God Xerious. It was often Sandus’s favorite waiting spot, but when my gaze landed on the giant sculpture, my eyes widened in surprise.
The guard waiting by the statue wasn’t Sandus. It was Haxil.
A grin spread across my face as I approached the round-cheeked, jovial guard. Even though Haxil ventured with me to the fields each morning, I hadn’t been able to speak with him much since he took his guard duties quite seriously and never let his attention drop, especially after that incident with the snowgum.
“What are you doing here?” I asked with a smile.
“Sandus got called home. His sister just gave birth to her first babe, and the proud uncle couldn’t wait to meet the wee one.”
“She did? Oh, I’m so pleased. He’s been talking about her for weeks. Do you know how the birth went?”
Haxil pushed away from the statue and fell into step beside me. “It was long, but I’m told that’s normal during first births.”
“Do you know the babe’s name?”
He shook his head. “I don’t, but I’m sure we’ll hear all about it when he returns.”
We laughed, and the sound was so easy and natural. I’d always felt at ease with Haxil, ever since that first night in High Liss when he’d been nothing but understanding as I came to grips with my new life beside the crown prince.
“I’m surprised you came to guard me,” I said, peering up at him curiously. “I figured Prince Norivun would have sent Nish instead of you.”
Haxil scratched his jaw.
I raised my eyebrows. “Is that look because Nish is supposed to be here instead of you?”
Haxil shrugged guiltily. “When Sandus left, he told either Nish or Ryder to accompany you, but it’s Ryder’s day off, and Nish—” He coughed.
“Nish what?” I bristled.
“Ock, you know how he can be. He had a few colorful words for babysitting you, as he called it, so I offered to go instead.”
I rolled my eyes at Nish’s pettiness. The guard hadn’t liked me from the start, and despite me becoming a permanent fixture in the castle and him traveling with me daily to the fields, it didn’t seem as if that feeling was going to disappear anytime soon.
“Why does he hate me so much?”
“He doesn’t hate you. He’s just . . .” Haxil sighed. “Nish is hard to win over. It’s not just you he’s like this with, but if you do win him over, he’ll be loyal to you for life.”
“Like he is to Prince Norivun.” I recalled Nish’s snarl all too well when I’d first met the crown prince and uttered my contempt of him.
“Exactly.”
Back in my chambers, I rang for food, then stripped out of my sweaty training clothes and took a quick bath to ease my muscles. Once dressed in loose pants and a warm sweater, I ventured back into my living area.
Fragrant scents from the delivered food filled the room. An entire tray, brimming with my requests, sat near the couch. And of course, as was per usual, there was far more than I could consume despite needing a plentiful amount to maintain my magic.
I opened my chamber’s door and quirked an eyebrow at Haxil, who stood in the hallway. “You hungry?”
The guard’s hands were clasped in front of him, wings tight to his back while his familiar swords poked out from beneath each wing. He gave a wolfish grin. “I’m always hungry.”
I laughed. “Come and join me then. Cailis is still out, and I’m getting nervous about my upcoming Trial tests. I would love some company so I don’t stew over them.”
Haxil bowed. “I couldn’t say no to that. It would be my pleasure to distract you whilst eating all of that wonderful food I smelled on its way in.”
I laughed, and Haxil closed the door behind him before joining me on the couch.
The huge tray took up most of the table. Roasted duck sat on a bed of grilled acorlis. Beside it were fried greens, buttery buns, pasta in a rich cream sauce, apple dumplings, tender meat loins in gravy, figs and berries in flaky crepes, and a few other side dishes.
“A feast fit for a queen.” Haxil pulled a napkin onto his lap and spread it over his thighs before grabbing a plate.
I swallowed a smile and gestured to his napkin. “Such lovely table manners you have, Haxil.”
He grinned. “I may be seen as a brutish guard by some, but I can assure you that I don’t eat from a trough each night.”
“I never would have assumed you did.” I smiled back and insisted he fill his plate first since he was my guest.
He grumbled. “Females are to go before males.”
“If you buy into that sort of thing,” I said with a shrug. “Go first. Please.”
He reluctantly did as I asked. When he finished, I reached for a plate and speared a few servings of meat before taking portions of all of the sides.
Haxil’s plate sat in front of him, untouched as he waited for me. “So do you not approve of chivalrous behavior, Ilara? ’Tis the way of the Solis, you know.”
“Perhaps.” I leaned forward more and scooped up a spoonful of greens. “But I keep thinking about Lady Furyful. She’s the heroine in a book I read last month that I can’t get out of my head. It was Of Fae—”
“And Might,” he finished for me.
My eyes widened, and I stopped mid-movement from grabbing a bun. “You’ve read it?”
“Indeed. It’s one of my favorite novels. ’Tis a most enjoyable adventure. I loved the battle scene in Kroravee. Ock, t’was epic, although the swoony romance in the book I could have done without.”