Inside the sunlit-drenched space, the Princess sat on a couch, her legs tucked beneath the hem of a lilac day gown. She was reading from a book in her lap as she idly ran her hand down the back of a black and white cat curled up beside her, Kayleigh’s mass of brown hair piled into a knot atop her bowed head.
The cat noticed us first, lifting its furry head to give us a sleepy-eyed glare. The look gave the distinct impression that it was annoyed by our interruption.
The guard cleared his throat, bowing deeply. “Princess Kayleigh, you have visitors.”
Kayleigh gave a little jerk at the sound of his voice, her head snapping up. The vision I had seen of her in the Pools ofDivanash had been accurate. She looked healthy. Happy. Nothing like the last time I’d seen her in person.
And she looked right at me. Surprise widened her eyes. “My gods, is that you, Seraphena?” she said, her chest rising sharply as she closed the book in her lap.
I nodded. “It is.”
“How did you…?” She trailed off as she glanced at Ash. Blood drained rapidly from her heart-shaped face. “My gods, you’re a…” She rose so quickly the book fell from her lap to flop against the thick carpet. The cat gave an irritated thump of his tail off the now-vacant cushion. She started to lower herself—
“That’s unnecessary.” Ash stopped her, much to my relief and her and the guard’s surprise. “You do not need to bow.”
Her forest green eyes were bright. “But—”
“It’s all right,” I jumped in. “He’s not the bow-to-me type of Primal.”
“Well, sometimes I am,” he murmured.
I shot him a look as Kayleigh stared in confusion. “We need to speak with you.” I flicked a glance at the guard. “In private.”
She nodded, swallowing. “Thank you for bringing them here, Rolio.”
The guard hesitated, but the Princess gave him a steady smile and a quick nod. Rolio backed out of the chamber, giving us a wide berth. He didn’t wander far, though, instead moving only halfway down the hall. I liked that he was loyal despite his fear.
“Am I in trouble?” Kayleigh asked.
“What?” I focused on her. “No. Why would you think that?”
She didn’t look all that confident as she glanced at Ash. “You’re a…a Primal god. I can tell by your eyes.” She swallowed. “Only the Primals that I’ve seen have silver eyes.”
My brows lifted. “How many Primals have you seen?”
“Enough,” she said, then briefly closed her eyes. I really hoped Ash kept what Primal he was to himself. “I’m sorry. I meant no offense.”
“None taken, Princess,” Ash replied, watching her intently. I knew he was reading her. “There is no reason to fearus. We are not here to harm you.”
She nodded, but distrust settled in her features as unease blossomed in me. I thought about what Ash had warned was already beginning to happen in other kingdoms. “What has happened when Primals have come here?”
Her lips parted on a short breath as she looked at Ash. “I…I know they can take great offense when respect is not given to them.”
“Respect is earned, even for a Primal. And I have not yet done anything to warrant honor or disrespect.” His tone had gentled. “We’ve only come to speak with a man we believe you know. He could possibly be going by the name Delfai.”
Kayleigh stiffened. “The scholar?”
“Perhaps,” I said and gave her a quick description.
“Yes. That’s Delfai. He’s been here for a couple of years now. He’s been teaching me how to read the old language.” Kayleigh clasped her hands together as her gaze bounced between us. “Is he in trouble?”
“No,” I whispered, my heart twisting. What had she seen the other Primals do? “We just want to speak with him.”
She nodded. “I believe he’s in the library just down the hall.” A brief, fond smile appeared. “He likes to file the ledgers and journals the way he feels they should be found. Drives my father mad when he comes here.” Kayleigh’s laugh was nervous. “I’m sorry. I’m just so utterly confused. I haven’t seen you in years, Seraphena, and now I’m standing before a Primal who wishes me not to grovel at his feet—” She cut herself off again. “I’m sorry—”
“Again, no need to apologize,” Ash assured her. “Not when it is I who obviously needs to apologize for the behavior of those of my ilk.”
Kayleigh’s lips formed a perfect circle. “You are…” She cleared her throat. “May I ask which Court you rule?”