Page 42 of Tangled Sails

LYRIELLE

I went late to breakfast the next morning, partially because I wasn’t ready to face anyone, and partially because I hoped to catch Tavric when he was no longer surrounded by those insisting he give them his time.

I couldn’t tell him about what I’d discovered, but I knew that the morning would grate on him, just like it always did. Yesterday he’d told me I was good at comforting people, and that gave me a small sense of bravery.

I ate slowly, doing my best to be unobtrusive, and by the time I was halfway through, the crowd was already thinning.

After the last person left, I was about to say something, but then Tavric covered both of his ears and closed his eyes. His chest expanded and contracted in controlled movements and he started to rock back and forth a bit, though I had the feeling he wasn’t aware of the movement. I’d never stayed long enough in the morning to see how he recovered from so much chaos, and I found it fascinating. I also had the urge to go over to him and wrap him in my arms.

That was when Prince Kavian walked in.

“We need to talk,” he said to Tavric, without even waiting for acknowledgment.

Tav stopped rocking but shook his head and pinched his eyes tighter.

Prince Kavian let out a dramatic sigh and dropped into a seat close to Tavric. He waited, though it was clear he was impatient, until Tavric rubbed his hands over his face and then opened his eyes to look at Kavian. “What is it?” he asked in a nearly calm voice.

“I’ve invited a couple chaps from university to visit and see how we run things here. You’ll talk to them this afternoon, won’t you?”

Whatever calm Tavric had acquired fled, and he went nearly rigid. “No, I won’t, Kavian.”

“What? Why?”

“I’m already overwhelmed. I can’t entertain whatever strangers my brothers drag home with them.”

My brow furrowed. That seemed a bit harsh, but what did I know of brotherly squabbles or the frustrations of trying to rule a kingdom…especially while your father was dying?

“Tav, come on.” Prince Kavian sounded both surprised and annoyed.

Tavric leaned his elbows on the table. “The answer is no, Kavian.” His eyes flitted to me for only a moment.

Kavian noticed and looked over his shoulder, seeing me for the first time. “Of course.” A scoff scratched out from the back of his throat and he got to his feet. “You can only entertain the strangers you bring home,” he shot off before turning his back on his brother.

Tavric stood, anger hardening his jaw. “Kavian,” he called out, but the younger prince was gone in a huff.

Tavric sighed, shook out his arms, and took his seat again. He speared a few bites of ham and put them in his mouth, which made me wonder why he didn’t insist on eating before letting people speak with him. I was certain that his hunger made his discomfort worse, and now he was stuck with cold food.

After a few more bites and several gulps of what must have been tepid tea, he looked up at me.

“Good morning, Lyri.”

I bowed my head out of respect. “Good morning, Your Highness.”

“I hope meeting my father wasn’t too disconcerting for you.”

“Not at all. I just wish I could help.” Which was true, but I hadn’t been blessed to think of a way to help without being caught.

“Your presence helps.” He gave me a smile, but it was fleeting and he was soon staring off at nothing while digging his thumb into his opposite palm. “I need to go somewhere.”

“Can I show you my favorite spot in the garden?” I asked. I’d been hoping he would let me distract him.

He let out a breath, his shoulders dropping in relief. “I would love to see it,” he said. After he took my advice and ate several more bites of food, we left the dining hall together.

The nervous energy that hummed in my chest made me want to walk close to Tavric. It was a combination of guilt and helplessness. Guilt over not confessing my ability and running to heal the king right away, and helplessness in knowing that I hadn’t yet figured out a way to help him, even though I had wracked my brain.

So once we stepped outside, I let myself walk a little closer to Tav, our arms brushing against one another often. I longed to reach out my pinkie and try to catch his, but I wasn’t that brave. Tavric was a good friend, but he was a prince, and I was just…

What was I? My lack of answer to that question was disconcerting, so I pulled my mind away from it and focused on my surroundings as we entered the garden.