The woman inhaled, considering. “I hate to disappoint you, Your Highness, but there are no earth witches running around the city that I know of.”

“Have there been?” he demanded.

“I did hear rumors of someone like you are describing, but she has not been seen for quite a while.” He searched her eyes, and she did not flinch under his gaze. She stared right back, her eyebrows lifted, almost in challenge.

Cassius cursed and threw back more of the burning liquid. Whoever the witch was, she must have left the city right after she rescued the queen. He thought about asking about the princess directly, but he could not trust the woman with such a direct question. Not yet.

“What about newcomers? Anyone new to the city who sticks out?”

She gave him an exasperated look. “There are about a thousand newcomers camped outside the gates, but inside? No, Your Highness, I have not noticed anyone new inside, other than your soldiers.”

She stood from her seat across from him, the fabric of her dress falling artfully down her body. “If you have any more questions, you know where to find me.”

It was not until she had disappeared down the stairs that Cassius realized he still did not know her name.

The tempests came without ceasing. As soon as the king engaged one in battle, another emerged to bear down on the city. After days of torment, the water breached the first walls. As the floodwaters ravaged the lowest levels of the city, Finneus stood high atop the castle’s battlements with his uncle, the screams searing his soul.

—The Tale of Lord Finneus Wolfram

18

Kiran had always preferred the wildlands. But the wildlands alone with Aurora? That was more of a blessing than he ever could have dreamed. During the day, he watched in absolute awe as she brought storms to life before his eyes. And at night, they kept each other safe from the cold, wrapped up so completely in each other that it was torture to untangle themselves come morning.

But he did it anyway, because the sooner they were out of bed and fed, the sooner they could start their walk down the river. It was a long journey, and Kiran was determined to soak up every moment he could. He asked her every question he could think of. Some were silly—things about food or colors or animals. Others were more introspective—regrets and accomplishments and hopes. Anything that she would tell him, he wanted to know.

“Do you like it?” he asked, as they made their way to the pool for another day’s collection.

“It?” she asked, her eyebrow raised and a provocative smile pulling across her mouth.

He tugged on the hand he held, pulling her close enough to steal a kiss. “Not that, Princess. I mean your magic. Now that you have it mostly figured out. Do you like it?”