The other kids snickered, and I blushed hot that she wasn’t trusting my offer as genuine.
“No, really,” I continued tremulously. “My father will be more than glad to let us go fishing there. It has some of the biggest and best fish in the area.”
An older boy, Barney, pushed through the others, coming to stand in front of me. His dad had a large farm a few miles from the palace. I often rode my horse that way—with guards, of course—and Barney’s dad always offered a friendly wave. Barney, however, was not so friendly. There had been times he tripped me as I walked by or pinched my arm if we were standing close to each other in a crowd.
Looking down at me, Barney glared fiercely. “We don’t need your generosity, little princess. Why don’t you just get out of here?”
Ralina moved beside Barney. “Don’t you get it? We don’t want your uppity ass around us.”
“But I just wanted to play with you and be a part of your group.” I could feel tears welling but I refused to let them fall.
“That’s right,” Barney agreed, puffing out his chest, most likely trying to impress Ralina. “We don’t want your snotty ass around us.”
Barney then pushed me in the chest, sending me sprawling, and I landed hard on my butt. The fall didn’t hurt much, but my pride was taking a beating.
Before I could think of anything to say, or even pick myself up off the ground, another boy, this one larger than the rest, came out of nowhere. With no warning at all, he punched Barney in the face. The hit had so much force that Barney’s feet flew out from under him, and he landed flat on his back.
I jerked my gaze up toward my protector. He was so tall, I had to tip my head way back.
And then I recognized him. Holy magics! It was Bastien Dunne. His father, Graeme Dunne, was the commandant of the Kestevayne army, the highest rank of the warrior caste.
I was awestruck to see Bastien there, as he was not part of our play group. He was older than us—thirteen at the time—and even at that tender age was in training for a life within the army. He lived in the palace walls in the military dormitories, and I often saw him in passing.
But we’d never spoken.
“What the hell did you do that for, Bastien?” Barney asked, slurring his words thanks to his newly split lip.
“I did that,” Bastien gritted out angrily, fists still clenched, “because you don’t push or hit a girl. If I ever see you touch her again, I’ll do worse.”
There was such fury in Bastien’s voice, it actually scared me a little. All the other kids took a few steps backward.
And what struck me the most was that he wasn’t defending me as a royal, as a princess who demanded respect because of my title.
He was defending me as a girl. An ordinary kid.
I finally felt seen.
With that, Bastien turned from the other kids and strode over to me, still on the ground. I watched him warily as he approached. He gave me a small smile, holding out his hand. I took it, and he hauled me up. “Are you hurt?”
I couldn’t find my voice, so I shook my head. He smiled again, with more warmth this time, and all my fear slipped away.
“Now, if you’ll excuse us,” Bastien said to the group, tucking my hand into his elbow, “I’m going to accept Thalia’s invitation. We’ll be fishing on Parness Creek if anyone asks.”
I was so stunned, I had no choice but to follow him as he led us off toward the stables where we’d get horses to hasten our travel. The best fishing hole was over a mile away.
I heard Ralina call out, “I’d like to go too.”
“Sorry,” he yelled back over his shoulder. “You’re not invited.”
And at that moment, I fell in love with Bastien Dunne.
I watch Bastien’s retreating form, and with a sigh move back to King to take his reins.
From that day he punched Barney, never once did Bastien treat me differently because I bore the title of princess. From that day forward—and from that kind act of proclaiming me as his friend—it was amazing how many of the other kids wanted to be my friend as well. The petty part of me wanted to ignore them all and just be friends with Bastien, but even then I’d known it would be wrong.
I don’t see a glimmer of that boy within the man today. He was there just before he sent me through the veil, but whatever happened in the last seven years, that kind spirit was no longer.
Kieran and I walk after Bastien. “Our stronghold is just up ahead.”
“Are we still in the same spot?” I ask. I don’t quite recognize where we are. We’d been at the base of the Rosethorn Mountains when I was sent through the veil.