Chapter 12
Cai
I watched her hair spiral in slight waves down her back as my horse started to fall behind hers. Elara’s riding attire was elegant, with the Evernean royal crest stitched onto the back of her jacket. Her legs dangled next to the horse’s sides in such a manner that it gave away her lack of formal training, growing up. She might have been taught to ride like a bandit, but she certainly hadn’t been taught to ride like a queen, sitting astride like that.
The thought made me smile. I wasn’t sure if asking her to accompany me for a ride through the forest would make up for any tension between us, but she seemed content enough, even though she hadn’t said a word since we left the stables.
“You know, if you paint a picture, it will last longer.” She looked back with a smile, and I felt my cheeks flush. This only seemed to widen her grin, her eyes playful.
“I’m simply admiring the horse’s flanks. They’ve been doing well exercising her over the last few months.” The attempt at redemption was futile and almost a little bit sad, but it was too late to stop myself.
I managed a smile, however, when I heard Elara say “Horse’s flanks, my arse” to herself. “Where are you taking me, by the way?”
“There’s a hill beyond this stretch of woods. The view is quite something.”
“You do realise we’ll get into an insurmountable amount of trouble upon returning to the palace.”
It probably wasn’t the best idea to sneak out of the palace without any of our guards to accompany us for our safety. But there was something in the forbidden that reminded me of the time I spent with Elara in Fairfrith. It was the first time since then that I was completely alone with her. And maybe we both needed it.
“I’m the king of Norrandale, I can only get into so much trouble.”
“I see your new title has made you arrogant.” She chuckled.
“Perhaps I was always arrogant and you simply didn’t notice.”
My words made her laugh softly, as though trying to contain it.
“Pray tell, what is so amusing?”
“You would make an awful spy, you know.”
“I would?” I questioned, curious to know exactly why.
“I hate to be the one to tell you, but you’re a terrible liar.”
“Well, I can’t be good at everything, now can I?”
“I thought kings were supposed to be good at everything.”
I played along. “A common myth, I assure you.”
“Ah, I see. Forgive my ignorance, Your Majesty.” She drew out my title.
“You’ve changed, though,” I commented, and she turned her head to face me.
Those wild, beautiful eyes, which had flames dancing in them. Just looking at her ignited sparks inside my chest.
“What do you mean?”
“You used not to fear getting into trouble. I see your responsibility must have caught up with you.”
“Oh please, I was only fearing for your sake.” Elara urged her horse into a gallop and they raced away.
I chased after her, the wind swirling past us, my horse huffing underneath me as he pushed forwards. She ducked under a low hanging branch, which almost hit me. The trees moved past us in a blur of green. The sound of our horses galloping echoed through the woods. Elara remained ahead all the way through the trees and up the hill.
“Careful that you don’t fall,” I called out.
Her laugh was carried away by the wind until she finally reached the top of the hill. She stopped to catch her breath. “You were right.” Elara loosened the reins, allowing her horse to eat the grass. “It really is something.”
Ahead were hills and valleys of lush green surrounding a long winding river that gathered water from the mountain slopes. My eyes travelled to Elara’s face, and I watched her take in the view.
“Now are you going to tell me why you really brought me out here alone?”
“I told you, I wanted to show you—”
“Cai.” She raised an eyebrow.
“And...” I added. “Because I wanted to apologise for yesterday. I have a lot on my mind.”
“I’m not asking you to drop everything for me,” she said gently. “But don’t you think it would ease your mental burdens if you talked to me about what’s bothering you?”
I shook my head. “I’m not making my problems your problems, Elara.”
She sighed. “I know I’m here on political business. But you’re my friend, if nothing else. A lot has changed, I know. Maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for us to spend time getting to know each other again.”
I glanced her way, to meet her eyes, but she was looking at the horizon.
“Sometimes, I wish there was a way to take a break from being a monarch.” Not many people would understand. But she would. “I’m not blind to the privileges I was born with but...”
“I know,” Elara replied. “I haven’t even experienced this kind of life for long, but a break would be nice.”
“I’ll make you a deal,” I offered.
“Oh?”
“One day, when we’re old and retired, we’ll travel somewhere.”
She laughed. “I thought you only retire from this role when you’re dead.”
“Will you just play along?”
“Fine, so where would we go?”
I thought about it for a moment while trying to keep my eyes away from her mouth. Had it always been so alluring? “Some island somewhere warm and far away.”
“I could work on my swimming in the sea.”
“I thought you could swim?” I frowned.
“I can. I’m just not a very strong swimmer, I’m afraid.” Elara shrugged.
“I could fish,” I added, imagining it. “And we could eat whatever I caught.”
“How very rugged for a king.” She chuckled.
“Well, I wasn’t always king, remember?”
Elara closed her eyes and breathed in as if she could see it in front of her, the warm white sand, the crystal-clear water. I couldn’t pull my eyes away from her.
“It sounds lovely.”
It was wishful thinking and we both knew it. But it was nice to think about the possibility of someday.