“Daniella.” Kalyll was fast behind me.
I looked right and left, trying to find somewhere to hide, but I wasn’t the one who should feel ashamed. I hadn’t done anything wrong, so I turned around and squared my shoulders just as he pushed a branch out of the way and caught up with me.
He froze and fought to meet my gaze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“By what?” I asked, glad that my voice sounded as firm and cold as I wanted it to.
Kalyll stared at the ground for a moment, looking frustrated, then took a deep breath and pressed a fist to his chest. “My comment might have given you the impression that I think myself more than you, but I assure you that is not the case.”
“I bet you think those diplomacy lessons paid off.” I paused and looked him up and down, trying to make him feel like a piece of garbage. “Well, tell your teachers they failed you. Or maybe it’s the other way around.”
“I deserve that.” He lowered his head, looking properly chastised.
“By any chance, was acting in the repertoire of things you had to learn?”
“I have not been insincere,” he assured me.
“Maybe you should qualify that statement to clarify which particular behavior you’re referring to.”
He said nothing, probably realizing that he’d dug a big enough hole already.
“Let me remind you of something, Prince Adanorin,” I said. “You’re the one who brought me here. You’re the one who needs me, so maybe you and your friends should show some respect to this lowly human?”
“It’s not like that. I swear.”
“Then how is it?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Fuck you, Kalyll.”
I skirted around him and headed back toward the camp, a brick wall erecting itself between us.
“Wait.” He moved to grab my arm, but I shot him a warning glare.
“Leave me alone. From now on, the best you can do is hurry this up so I can get the hell out of here.”
He bowed and clicked his heels like a good soldier.
I wanted nothing to do with whatever his drama with Kryn was, and much less with his prejudice toward my kind. All I wanted was to go back home.
I packed my mare in record time and stood off to the side as the others finished gathering their things. Insane ideas assaulted me as I waited. I thought of refusing to make the marsh flower and hemlock elixirs, thought of throwing away the ingredients so they couldn’t force me to make them, but that was stupid. It would only make things harder for me, and would delay my return home, so I refrained.
Everyone’s looks of contempt continued. Though at some point, Kalyll pulled everyone aside and after that, they went from flat-out glaring at me to ignoring my presence. Only Jeondar remained the same, probably because he felt he owed me a debt after saving his father.
When we got on our way, I steered Dandelion to the left of the group, leaving a wide breadth between us. Every so often, Kalyll cast glances over his shoulder, which I pointedly avoided.
After riding in the front with the prince for a long while, Arabis made her way to me, looking contrite. Had Kalyll asked her to make me feel better? Maybe he had started to fear I would not help him.
“Are you Kalyll’s ambassador meant to intercede on his behalf?” I asked.
It would be like a diplomatic prince to use such tactics, I figured.
Arabis smiled. “He did ask me to see how you are.”
“What? Did he forget who he’s dealing with? We plebeians have no understanding of diplomacy, you see?”
“He just wanted me to make sure you’re all right?”