Bridging the Ancient ✓

Chapter 56

Knocking on the door to Renit's bathing room, I smooth out my basil colored tunic and pick a piece of lint off my dark pants. If the prince takes any longer to fix his hair...

The door opens and Renit stands in the opening, frowning at me for knocking for the millionth time in what seems like the span of a few minutes. But that frown doesn't stick for long as he slides past me and pulls a grey tunic from his armoire, one I've seen him wear over and over again. After begging him this last week to wear something other than that bland color, he still won't give in. I've given up trying.

"Are you sure we don't have to bring anything?" I ask again. I've asked over and over again.

Renit tugs the tunic over his head, messing up the hair he spent so long attempting to fix—there wasn't anything wrong with it in the first place and we're not attending a giant celebration with the entire kingdom here to watch. This is simply a celebration for Dalis's birthday, a small gathering of friends celebrating another year older for a witch that will have many birthdays beyond this one.

"I promise," Renit confirms. "Silas has everything planned, we already got Dalis a birthday gift, there's nothing else we can possibly take with us." Making one final adjustment to his hair, a quick brush of his fingers through the strands, he turns towards me and grabs Dalis's gift from where it rests on his desk—a brand new bow and a quiver of arrows.

That had been what she wanted, had told me as such, after I asked her over and over again one morning when I went to help her in the kitchens. Really, it was to pry about what she wanted for her birthday. At first, she had said nothing and told me she had everything she ever wanted. Judging by Mills's pointed look, I knew that wasn't true and did everything in my power—being annoying is a specialty of mine—until she cracked.

A new bow so she can practice with Celestine who has taken up the skill and is doing well with her training. Through this past week, she's reconciled with Silas, they had a lengthy conversation about what their friendship meant and apologies went in either way. Silas for shutting her out, Celestine for not trying hard enough to help. But neither apology was necessary, those weeks were rough, and no one had expected something so monumental turn so terrible within a matter of one lightning bolt.

"Everyone is waiting for us in the dining room. Let's go before Hallie gets pissy that we're taking too long," I say.

Renit hands over the present wrapped in the finest castle paper and tied with a red bow. It's likely that other gifts she receives will be better than what we've gotten for her but there's nothing fancier than a bow from Mailan, crafted specifically for her and engraved with initials. The craftsman had been filled with glee when we walked into his dingy shop on the outskirts of Mailan. He was so overjoyed that he sent nearly half his supply toppling over when he ran into it, thus creating a disaster with crashing arrows and swords sent flying.

"There's something I want to show you first. We have time before the party starts—Hallie can wait." The prince takes my hand, a perfect fit if there ever was one, and leads me down the stairs.

I don't question him; I haven't questioned him through anything this past week as he took me into Mailan and showed me everything the city had to offer. Despite being so close to the king's reign, the people are well-off. They love life, cherish the parks Silas has donated, and relish in the freedom to explore creative wisdom. We sat in on an art class taught by one of the more skilled witches in the capital, one who cowered when Renit walked in but softened once the prince told a joke and asked if it was all right if he sat towards the back and examined.

There are many creative wonders in Mailan, many more than we allowed ourselves to see. And it stretches farther than art—all the way to iced desserts and stuffed meats or show animals that sell for the highest prices. I was tempted to ask about a goat but they would not tolerate such a stinky animal on the castle grounds.