That portion of the grounds was full of trimmed lawns and hedges, a spacious fountain, and beautiful magnolia trees. She had many memories of going there with Fallon. In fact, one of her earliest memories was watching him climb the crooked limbs of the trees with their glossy green leaves and pinkish-purple buds. The grove was blooming because of the spring season, and it gave the air a heady smell. Captain Staeli was back by the gate leading into the garden, leaning against the wall with one foot planted back against it, his thumbs hooked in his belt as he scanned the garden. Trynne knelt in the grass beneath one of the huge magnolias, where many of the strange seed pods were strewn about. She picked one up, touching the fuzzy skin and ridges, smiling at the remembrances of how she used to play with them after they’d fallen.
She breathed in the smells as she ran her fingers through the grass next, wishing she could take the entire garden with her to Ploemeur. She loved the city of her birth, but it had different smells because of the different trees and foliage. Eucalyptus trees were common in Brythonica and the air had the smell of the sea, even deep inland. Oh, how she longed to visit all of the different realms, to taste the food and learn about the customs and traditions, as the young men would be allowed to do. At least her little brother would inherit the duchy someday, so she would not be stuck in Ploemeur forever. She would marry, and then a new kingdom would become her home.
The wind rustled the magnolia branches and blew strands of hair across her face. She smoothed them back and closed her eyes, just enjoying the feel of the breeze. Who would she marry? The thought of Prince Elwis brought a flash of resentment and anger. No, she could never marry a man like him. That image was quickly followed by one of Fallon punching Elwis and knocking him down. She was chuckling at the thought when a fuzzy seed pod thumped on the grass next to her.
Opening her eyes, she reached out and picked it up, rubbing her thumb along the velvety edge. Seed pods were shaped like a torch, with long, striated stems that could be broken off. The bulb was soft, similar to a pinecone except velvety in texture, and each segment ended in a tiny black curl. Hidden inside were little red seeds. She’d tried eating one when she was a child, but someone had scolded her and told her they were poisonous. Nothing had ever happened to her as a result. She brushed the seed pod against the tip of her nose and then another one landed on her shoulder.
Trynne looked up curiously, but the tree was bulging with flowers and leaves. Still, she had a sinking suspicion that she was not alone. She looked away and smoothed her skirts across her knees, feigning disinterest in her surroundings as she reached out with her magic. The Fountain magic came to life within her quickly, trickling from her fingers and toes and stretching out in tendrils.
And that’s when she sensed the person hiding behind another tree, off to her right. The presence did not feel threatening or dangerous, and she instantly realized that Fallon had beaten her to her favorite place. He’d seen her enter the garden and had hidden himself to watch her. Now, he was throwing seed pods at her.
Well, two could play childish games.
Trynne innocently picked up several of the pods and collected them on her skirt. She could sense where he was crouching and hiding, and now that she was listening, she could hear a stifled laugh. It made her ears burn pink. She gathered five or six pods surreptitiously and then straightened her back to him, gazing toward the distant porter door. In her mind, she could see him leaning away from the tree, arm cocked back to lob another one at her.
Her magic gave her a definite advantage. It was like having eyes all around, able to sense him and his weaknesses all at once. She sensed the pain in his ear and the dull ache in his bowels from his earlier injuries. He would not be able to move as quickly now.
Before he could follow through on his intent to hit her again, Trynne gripped a seed pod in one hand, turned, and sent it winging at him. As soon as it struck him on the shoulder, she gathered up the others and rolled on the grass to put her tree in between them.
A pod zoomed at her and missed. “That was a lucky shot!” he taunted her.
Trynne felt her stomach become giddy with excitement. She quickly scrabbled to her feet, then threw another pod at him as he changed position. That one struck the tree instead. Suddenly he was charging her from around his side of the tree, scooping up several more pods and chucking them at her in rapid succession. They clattered against the bark, but Trynne didn’t stay put. She raced around the other side of the tree and hurled another one at him, catching his arm, and then raced to the safety of another magnolia. The branches were so low she had to duck, but they protected her as another pod sailed toward her. It clacked into the branches, sending down some petal wedges and more seed pods.