Over the Sea [Dual Trilogy Book 1]

Lily

I walked across the grass to the big wooden barn. Despite the pounding rain, I knew he would be out there. Sure enough, there he was in the pen with one of the new Kodish horses, shirtless in the winter rain. I tugged my cloak tighter and quickened my pace.

I reached the fence, but Lennon had his back turned to me, which was fine. I stood on the fence's first rung and observed.

The horse, tall and golden, ran around the opposite side of the pen while he called out words in Eklona, and whipped the ground. The horse calmed down and slowed near the metal tub full of water. Lennon slowly approached the horse, keeping himself in the horse's sight.

My mind raced with memories while I watched. In particular, the talk I had with Mom earlier that morning.

"Prince Alexander of Newan will be arriving in a week to court you," Mom had told me while we walked together to the Council Room.

"I don't have to marry him though," I responded, either to verify or to reassure myself.

"No, my dear, you will be required to marry Prince Alexander."

"But I'm not heir to the throne."

"With you set to rule Uskyae, that amendment no longer applies to you. Your father and I both agree it would be best if you have a prince at your side in Uskyae; someone who will know what they are doing and will be the best source of aid to you." She smiled kindly, but I couldn't return it.

The horse neighed and sharply turned his head. Caught off guard, Lennon fell down, but stood back up and took hold of the horse's reins to lead it back into the barn. As he turned, Lennon saw me standing on the fence. He smiled, and gestured with his head towards the barn.

"You will catch a cold," he called when I entered the barn. He closed the stall door, walked closer to me, and kissed my hand. He studied my face and scrunched his eyebrows. "What troubles you?"

"That can wait for a moment." I shook my head while daintily taking the wrist he had fallen on, and I noticed the grimace. "It's a little swollen. Let me wrap it for you."

When Lennon returned with gauze, we sat down on a nearby bench. I put his wrist in my lap and began to wrap it.

"Tell me what troubles you."

I told him about Melai and Evan, about their plans to kill King Ronam, to put me on the throne, and of Prince Alexander.

I finished wrapping his wrist long before I finished talking. He wrapped me in a hug and a tear slid out of my eye.

"El lei zhavai," he assured me. It will be okay.

    "I don't want to be a princess," I cried. "I never have! I always looked forward to the day when I could leave Kalhaire with you, and live near the mountains at the jungle's edge."

"You will, shula."

    "No I won't! I'll be ruling Uskyae with Prince Alexander. You shouldn't call me shula anymore."

"You should fight for what you want, shula. If ruling Uskyae is not what you want then you must fight for what you do want."