17. Solstice #2
Aaryn turned sharply in front of an impressively tall hedge wall to gather herself at the revelation. It made for a bit of a maze, and therefore the perfect hiding spot.
A young apple tree that had yet to fruit branched out in the corner, and she leaned against the bark to catch her breath.
Her mind whirled, thoughts spinning as though she were still trapped in the prince's arms.
A familiar voice hissed her name. "Tethered Aaryn! Where did you go?"
It was Runa, and for a moment Aaryn considered stepping out into the walkway to let her guard know where she had gone. But she just wanted a moment to herself, one that she had chosen, and not been chosen for her.
She was in the damned gardens of the castle. That was safe enough.
If anything was even a danger to her.
Aaryn held her breath and hid behind the tree as Runa hurried past the alley. The curses she muttered almost made Aaryn feel guilty, but she would smooth things over later.
As her steps faded, Aaryn waited another moment before she stood properly and quietly walked deeper into the maze. It wasn't very complicated, with a fountain at the center, and she could already hear its rushing depths.
She would claim she hadn't heard Runa over the water, when the guard ultimately found her.
Confident in her plan, she took a few turns, laughing softly to herself when she met a wall and had to turn around. Shrubs and blooming trees and trellises of flowers made up every aisle. With the oil lamps and the moon lighting her way, it was beautiful. And she hated it.
She located the fountain, finally, and sank down onto one of the benches against the shrubs. The water glimmered as it rushed from the dragon’s mouth and into the pool. Beneath each of the dragon's paws was a person standing tall, supporting him with both hands above their head. Tethered.
Something settled uncomfortably in her stomach as she stared at the sculpture—that sticky, prickly feeling she carried with her now, an echo of what resided in Starspark.
Then something else caught her attention, and she sat up straighter on the bench. Humming?
Then steps, in a lyrical beat, as the sound grew closer.
Aaryn surged to her feet as a familiar shape rounded a corner, arms aloft in a mimicry of a dance. The lamplight shimmered across her armor, caught on strands of her hair, illuminated her horns. Aaryn was breathless.
But Thea wasn't. "Oh, prince," Thea crooned in a high-pitched, mocking voice. "Of course I think you're the strongest, best prince there ever was."
Her anger melted away in an instant. She was happy to see Thea.
Humor followed, and Aaryn rolled her eyes as Thea continued, deepening her voice to imitate the prince. She spun, and shifted the position of her arms to that of a leading dancer. "Thank you, Tethered, I knew I could trust you even though I've locked you away in a tower."
Thea came to a stop and crossed her arms, staring at Aaryn pointedly.
"I get it," Aaryn huffed and matched Thea's posture, crossing her own arms. They stood feet apart, the hush of the fountain in the background. A proper standoff. Aaryn was really glad to see her. Glad she hadn't written Aaryn off. Glad she hadn't left her behind.
"Do you?" Thea asked. "Then why are you still here?"
Aaryn threw her hands up. She'd asked herself that same question many times recently. But she didn't say that. She could already hear the I told you so on Thea's lips.
"Why do you even care?" She narrowed her eyes at the druid. "Are you just jealous?"
“Why would I be jealous of the weakling prince?” Thea scoffed. “Who you warm your bed with is no concern of mine.” Her gaze bore into Aaryn and she wanted to warm herself with the fire there. “Besides, I don’t think lukewarm is anything to brag about, Tethered.”
Oh, she was jealous. And it tasted delightful, almost made a smile curl Aaryn's lips.
Despite her barbed words, there was something about Thea's tone, the stiffening of her posture, and Aaryn bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.
She shrugged and paced closer to the fountain, as if she couldn't be bothered.
This game was thrilling. “You just happen to bring it up every time we see each other now," she pointed out, pleased by Thea’s annoyance.
Skies. Aaryn felt electric, dancing around Thea like this once more.
Aaryn's cheeks flushed and she shifted her head toward the fountain. Maybe it would surprise Thea to learn that she and the prince weren't an item at all.
"Because he's got you brainwashed!" Thea snapped. "He's using you."
Aaryn groaned. "He's not using me for anything! In fact, all I've done for the past three weeks is prepare for this stupid ball!" She threw a hand back toward the castle, which loomed tall over the hedges.
Thea glared at her, and Aaryn stared back. Then finally, she softened before asking again, "Then why are you still here?"
Aaryn collected herself and trailed back onto the bench, sinking onto the planks. The sheathed dagger clanked against the iron, belted to her side—completely ritualistic.
Aaryn didn't even consider using it.
After a long moment of Aaryn's stubborn silence, Thea finally approached her.
She sat, and together they watched the water spill from the dragon's mouth.
"It's kind of sad, if you think about it," Thea said.
"What's sad?" Aaryn asked.
"How Evergale uses dragons." Thea glanced over at her. "And those who are supposed to be bonded with them."
Aaryn didn't like the solemn tone in her voice, and couldn't help but study her.
Thea looked… good. As always. She was in that mysteriously shiny armor, the pauldron and leather and…
scales hugging her frame. Aaryn's cheeks heated at the memory of their closeness in her room, which was still a secret she hadn't shared with a single living soul.
Not even Rose, who would probably expire if she knew Aaryn was talking to Thea at this very moment.
At the thought, her gaze trailed around the center of the gardens, but no one was around. They were alone.
And yet for the first time in weeks, Aaryn didn't feel lonely.
Focus. "What do you mean?"
"They think of dragons as nothing more than weapons." Thea waved a hand at the fountain. "And they think of you as nothing more than a maid of the armory."
A frown tugged at Aaryn’s lips, but she didn't want to show Thea just how hard her words hit.
"Starspark is your dragon. Not theirs," she said, as if Aaryn still needed convincing.
She didn’t, because she was leaving with Thea this time.