Hiraeth

Chapter Sixteen

The morning after the celebration dawned bright and crisp, a stark contrast to the heat of the previous night's revelries. Sage lay in her bed, tangled in soft linens, the remnants of laughter and desire lingering in her mind like a vivid dream. She stretched, feeling the lightness in her body, a welcome relief from the heaviness of battle.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. "Sage, are you awake?" Her younger sister, Lily, peeked through the door, her face bright with youthful exuberance.

"Yeah, come in," Sage called, propping herself up on her elbows.

Lily bounced into the room, her long hair cascading around her shoulders. "Did you have fun last night? I heard you dancing with Beckett, Kade and Fleck. Everyone was talking about how you're the star of the show!"

Sage chuckled, shaking her head at her sister's enthusiasm. "You know how it is-just trying to keep up with the boys."

"More than just trying, it sounds like!" Lily teased, plopping down on the edge of Sage's bed. "I saw the way Fleck was looking at you. And what about Prince Beckett? Did he finally make a move?"

Sage's heart fluttered at the mention of Beckett's name, the memory of their charged moment at the dance flashing through her mind. "He did, actually," she admitted, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. "It was... intense."

Lily's eyes widened. "Tell me everything! Did you kiss him?"

"No!" Sage protested, laughing. "Not yet, anyway. Just some... heavy flirting."

"Boring! You need to be more adventurous, Sage," Lily said, playfully rolling her eyes. "You're young, beautiful, and have a bunch of handsome guys chasing after you. What's the point if you're not going to enjoy it?"

Sage gave her sister a playful shove. "Alright, Miss Matchmaker. I'll take your advice under consideration."

"Good," Lily said, satisfied. "You should invite them all over. We can have a party!"

Before Sage could respond, a more serious thought struck her. "What if I invite them and they fight? The last thing I need is a royal rumble over me."

Lily waved her hand dismissively. "You've already seen them together. Kade and Fleck seem fine, and I think Beckett is too cocky to care."

"Cocky?" Sage echoed. "He's more like a volcano ready to erupt."

Lily giggled. "Exactly! And I can't wait to see it happen. Just imagine the fireworks!"

Sage shook her head with a grin. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Just trying to help," Lily said with a cheeky smile. "And you should definitely get dressed. I overheard Kade talking about training in the courtyard today. You should go and watch."

Sage's heart raced at the thought of seeing Kade again. Their last encounter had been filled with teasing and tension, a thrilling dance on the edge of something more. "Fine, I'll go."

With that, she hopped out of bed, threw on a simple but flattering dress, and styled her hair into loose waves. As she finished, she caught her reflection in the mirror.

"Ready to make waves?" Lily asked as Sage stepped into the hallway.

"Something like that," Sage replied, a thrill of anticipation coursing through her.

The courtyard was alive with the sound of clashing swords and the laughter of knights and squires training under the sun. Sage found a spot near the edge, leaning against the cool stone wall as she took in the scene.

Kade was at the center of it all, sparring with another knight. He moved with a grace that belied his muscular build, each movement fluid and powerful. The sunlight glinted off his long black hair, and Sage felt her breath catch in her throat.