“I’ve seen it before,” Lina said. “You sound like you could use the rest.”

Bri picked up her pace to catch up, trying to prove Lina wrong. It wasn’t the exertion of the trek but the thick air that slowed her down. “How many times have you done this hike?”

“A few. I can’t remember,” Lina said, her voice dropping an octave. “Darrow and I used to hike this trail together too after my father died.”

“Darrow?” Bri asked, hustling forward until she was right behind Lina.

She was surprised at the thought of the silver-haired councilor hiking anywhere. He seemed far more at home hosting stately dinners than trekking through the forest.

Lina chuckled a panting breath. The sounds of rushing water grew as they neared the waterfall. As they turned one last corner, the dense forest parted to reveal a shimmering azure pond. Miniature waterfalls cascaded down the hillside in little steps as colorful birds flitted from tree to tree. The mist cast rainbows of light all around the falling water, creating an otherworldly oasis.

“He was like a father to me after my own died,” Lina replied, navigating toward a large, smooth stone and perching herself on it.

Bri sat beside her and fished her waterskin off her belt. “Here.”

“I don’t think my mother expected Darrow and I to be close.” Lina took a swig from Bri’s waterskin and returned it. She leaned back on her hands. “He was around in my mother’s council by virtue of his family name, but when my father died, they grew closer.”

“Were they lovers?”

“I honestly don’t know.” Lina shrugged. “But he loved her, of that I’m certain.”

“A family trait,” Bri muttered, thinking of Tem’s own confessions of love toward Lina.

“My mother would have never admitted she cared for my father—too headstrong to reveal her grief. But when he died, her leniency to Hennen Vostemur began,” Lina whispered as a spray of rolling mist coated her skin. “She pulled our troops from the border, let Valtene fend for themselves as a disputed territory, allowed the witch hunters to roam freely through our lands, capturing the last of the red witches. I don’t know if it was heartbreak or she had just given up hope . . . but things changed after he died.”

“She never wanted a consort or more children?” Bri mused.

“I don’t think she even wanted me; she was just upholding her duty.” She laughed lightly but Bri felt the sting in her words.

“How could anyone not want you?”

The words tumbled from her lips before she could think them through. Lina’s eyes darted to Bri’s, softening as she held them. Bri knew what those words meant to Lina. Bri didn’t want her because she was a Princess or a warrior or a Thorne . . . Bri only wanted Lina.