Page 44 of Tangled Sails

I did so, wondering at the wisdom of it. It wiggled precariously, and I had to hold on to the ropes to keep myself from falling off. “It’s rather unstable, isn’t it?”

He chuckled. “That’s sort of the point.”

“Why would someone want a chair that’s difficult to sit on?” I asked, scooching myself back further to steady myself.

He studied me. “Have you never encountered a swing before?”

“A swing?” I’d never heard of such a thing.

He nodded. “That’s what it’s called. You see, it’s not just for sitting.” He walked around behind me. “Are you holding on tightly?”

“Yes, why?”

“Because I’m going to show you the joy of using a swing.” He took hold of the ropes just above my own hands and slowly walked backward several steps before letting go.

“Oh,” I said in surprise as I glided forward and then swung back toward Tavric.

“I’m going to give you a little push,” he warned, and then did just that.

I laughed. “I take it back. This is a delightful chair.”

“I used to swing here constantly as a boy. It was quiet here, but not stuffy or echoey like the castle can be.”

“Did you have someone to push you?”

“No, I figured out how to swing myself.”

“Your brothers never came?”

“This was my hideout. My brothers and I have plenty of other haunts that we would escape to, but this one was mine alone. The gardener hung this swing and told only me about it, I think because he knew that sometimes even my brothers’ company was too much.”

I chewed on my lip, debating whether to broach the subject or not, but in the end, my concern and curiosity won out. “You get overwhelmed often.”

“I do,” he said right away, not sounding offended by my intrusion. “I don’t understand how people can concentrate or thrive or enjoy themselves when there is too much noise and too many people. Even the texture of my clothing can be bothersome.”

“So it’s not the socializing that bothers you?”

“Socializing is fine if it’s with a small number of people I actually know. But few royal meetings or events involve only a few people. So when it’s too much, I sail or I hide in the library. Once in a while, I’ll come back here.”

I closed my eyes as the swing arced forward once again. “Your parents don’t know about this place?” I asked, wondering how it was that he could trust me with this secret.

“They never said anything, but I’m fairly certain my mother knew a lot more about what we boys got up to than she ever let on. In fact, it might have been her who asked the gardener to hang the swing. You should ask her about it some time. I’m sure she’d have stories to tell.”

“I’m certain that your mother has far better things to do than tolerate me.”

He caught hold of the ropes and brought the swing to a stop. “Hey,” he said as he circled around to face me, holding on to the ropes and leaning down so he was at my level. “Don’t do that.”

I blinked up at him. “Do what?”

“Act as if you’re a burden. You’re not.”

“I—”

“My mother has responsibilities—we all do—but that doesn’t mean she is merely tolerating you. She likes you, Lyri, probably for a lot of the same reasons I like you. You’re…” His eyes skimmed over my face, my hair, and my mouth—where they lingered.

My breath escaped me and I couldn’t speak.

His gaze returned to my eyes. “You’re extraordinary. I don’t know that I could put into words how much I admire your strength and your friendliness…and your patience with me.”