Chapter Eighteen
Avari
‘Frail.’ The walls practically shook as he spat the word like it burnt him. ‘Is that what she said? I’m twice your size. How am I frail?’
I couldn’t help it; I laughed. ‘Well, that doesn’t mean much. Didn’t you say I looked pathetic?’
‘That’s not what I—’ He dragged a hand through his hair and groaned. ‘Back to the matter at hand.’
Watching him unravel gave me far too much satisfaction. Each deepening frown made victory taste sweeter.
‘Oh, don’t beat yourself up. We’re all frail compared to those beasts.’ I patted his back and kept walking, knowing that ignoring him would only make it sting worse.
‘What? No. I’m not frail.’ He stomped as if to show his weight all the way to the dining room. ‘She didn’t say that, did she, little witch?’
The table was already set, dinner laid out and steaming. I sat down and smirked. ‘I said what I said.’
Michael appeared soon after, settling across from us just in time to catch his brother sulking.
‘Indeed,’ River muttered, folding his arms. ‘Indeed. Whether it’s what she said is my concern.’
‘Concern?’ Michael leaned in, amused. ‘About what?’
River ignored him, eyes fixed on me. ‘What exactly did she say, princess?’
Michael joined in, his grin wide. ‘Yes, princess, what did she say? And who is she, exactly?’
I struggled not to laugh at the dramatic pout on River’s face. ‘Well,’ I began, ‘your brother’s a little offended because my dragon thought him… microscopic. Maybe calling you fun-sized would sting less?’
The king leaned back with a chuckle as he reached for his water. ‘Microscopic, huh? You'd be surprised how fun-sized I can be.’ He winked, and heat rushed to my cheeks before I could stop it.
This did not go to plan; he was supposed to whimper in displeasure, not tease me with pleasure.
Michael, ever the traitor, was quick to pile on. ‘Would you look at that? You've made the princess blush. Those rosy cheeks suit you.’
‘I am not red.’ I pressed my palms to my face and winced at the heat. Both of them laughed while I fanned myself with a napkin.
River's grin widened as he watched the effect his words had on me, clearly pleased with himself. ‘Hot and bothered looks good on you, witch.’
‘I am not,’ I snapped, feeling myself overheat. ‘Maybe focus on your dinner, you Lilliput.’
‘Lilliput?’ he repeated, clutching his chest in mock outrage. Michael’s laughter echoed through the room.
River only smirked before focusing on food. ‘Keep your secrets for now. I’m a big boy; I’ll get them out of you eventually.’
I raised an eyebrow. ‘Are you though?’
He gave a dramatic sigh. ‘Oh, please.’
The rest of dinner went by with only the occasional jab exchanged across the table. Watching the two brothers bicker made it impossible not to see the resemblance. How had I missed it before?
Later, when I left for my room, a restless curiosity kept me wandering the corridor instead.
If I were to live here, I ought to know my surroundings.
I needed to know where the library was, the kitchens, and the little corners no one else visited.
Ortensia’s castle had always been a cage of whispers and glares; Fogoya already felt freer.
The dim portraits along the fourth-floor corridor drew my attention.
Some bore a striking resemblance to the brothers, though only one stood out.
King Louis—River’s father. The curls were unmistakable, though the man’s eyes lacked the warmth that would have softened his harsh features.
Instead, they took on a cold hue similar to Michael’s.
All I needed to complete the picture was a glimpse of their mother.
A creak sounded behind me, and I turned sharply. The elderly woman I’d seen days ago emerged from a side corridor, smiling.
‘Lady Avari.’ She curtsied, which felt wholly unnecessary. ‘It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things.’
‘Pleased to meet you too.’ I waited, expecting her to introduce herself.
‘Ah, where are my manners?’ She placed a wrinkled hand over her chest. ‘You may call me Maddie. I’m the king’s chief of staff.’ She hesitated, as if debating whether to offer her hand.
‘I think I saw you a few days ago,’ I said, remembering her pink apron.
‘Yes, I move around quite a bit to keep things running smoothly. Please, if you have any complaints, I’ll have them sorted immediately.’
‘No complaints,’ I assured her. ‘You must be doing a wonderful job.’
Her face brightened at that, and the pure joy in her expression almost made me smile.
Though the more I looked at her slightly pointed teeth, the more I wondered what she was; it felt impolite to ask.
Besides, the pride she took in her work reminded me of River’s remark about having a praise kink, and my focus shifted.
‘Thank you,’ she said warmly. ‘It means a lot. I see you’ve found the portraits. They do look alike, don’t they?’
‘They do,’ I agreed, glancing back at the painting. ‘Does the former king still live here? And the queen?’
Maddie froze mid-breath, her smile faltering before it returned a fraction too tight.
‘Not any more,’ she said simply.
She didn’t elaborate, and I knew better than to press. Whatever story hid behind that look, she clearly wasn’t ready to share it.
Instead, I asked, ‘Maddie, would you mind telling me if there’s a library I can use?’
Relief softened her face. ‘Of course. We have several, but the largest is on the top floor, opposite His Majesty’s office. You can’t miss it; go up the stairs, then turn right.’
‘I actually have another request,’ I added hesitantly.
Her brows lifted, curiosity twinkling in her turquoise eyes. ‘Yes?’
‘Could you tell me where the kitchen is?’ I asked, almost whispering.
‘The kitchen?’ she repeated, clearly surprised. ‘It’s on the second floor, at the end of the left corridor. Do you have any complaints? Or are you hungry? I can send for something.’
‘No, no, the meals are wonderful. I just… I’d like to learn how to make simple things. Maybe I could use the kitchen after the staff leaves. If that’s not allowed, I completely understand—’
‘You can use it any time,’ Maddie interrupted kindly. ‘I’m only surprised. I’ve never known a royal who cared to cook. But you don’t need permission, my lady. It’s my understanding that you’re part of this court now.’
‘Thank you,’ I said quietly as she excused herself.
I wandered for a while longer, the night deepening until the world outside turned black. The castle felt calm, even comforting, but was I really a part of it?
River had said so once, but I’d assumed it was just his way of justifying my captivity. It was a smart strategy, keeping the one witch who could summon a dragon far from her villainous mother’s reach.
The thoughts kept drowning me until my stomach gave a sharp pinch. I hadn’t eaten much at dinner, prioritising banter. Socialising wasn’t something I was accustomed to.
Following Maddie’s directions, within minutes, I found myself in an enormous kitchen, the marble counters gleaming under the low light. The elaborate culinary space was filled with hand-carved wooden furniture and an enormous kitchen island located in the very middle of the vast room.
Exploring freely, I quickly noticed how magnificent the space was. Polished wood, marble counters, and more utensils than I could name. My fingers drifted over the smooth surface of the island, tracing the patterns carved into it.
A kitchen this size could feed an army or a royal court. I had yet to see how many people lived here or what my role among them truly was. Back home, my mother had treated me and my sisters like ornaments, not daughters. The shiny toys in her dollhouse.
Lilian had always been the favourite, and Willow, the admired one. Both inherited the pale hair and blue eyes of our waterborne lineage. I, with my brown waves and green eyes, was the odd one out. The eyes of the land, they’d called them. I preferred them.
Here, without money or belongings, stripped of my title, I almost felt free.
I was still running my fingers along the counter when a deep voice broke the quiet.
‘One place I didn’t expect to find you,’ River said from the doorway.