“Are you well, my lady?” Sureya asked.

“I am,” Trynne said, though she felt slightly dizzy. “I must be away. Thank you for sharing the history with me.”

“I’ve offended you,” Sureya said, her face growing worried.

“No, you haven’t,” Trynne said, touching the girl’s arm. “My father is missing. I worry about him every day. Your words struck me, that is all. It would be . . . it would be very difficult for me to love a man who’d hurt him.” Fallon’s face flashed inside her mind, along with the remembrance of the silver mask she had taken from his tent in her guise as the Painted Knight. If Fallon had had anything to do with her father’s disappearance, whatever his reasons, she would lose all respect for him.

Sureya nodded in understanding. “I should have been more cautious in my words. Forgive me. I share your pain, Lady Trynne. I too wonder what has become of my father.” Her brow furrowed with worry. “I would give anything to know.”

Trynne found herself liking the princess more and more. The two embraced, a simple gesture that strengthened their connection. Trynne gave her new friend a smile. “I will look forward to training with you when I return.”

“Is it near the Feast of St. Benedick?” Sureya asked. “Are you going to meet your lover?”

Trynne’s eyes widened with shock. “Grand Duke Elwis?”

Sureya nodded, but her eyes were guarded.

“No!” she replied, laughing a little. “No, he . . . I am not going to see him yet. And he and I are not . . . attached. I promised him that I would visit, but I need to go to Brythonica first to see my mother. She is leaving on a great journey.”

Sureya blinked with surprise. “You do not care for the grand duke? The one whom I met?” A little flush crept onto the princess’s cheeks.

Trynne shook her head no. “He is much changed from what he was. I admire him, but no . . . things are more difficult for me.” She swallowed. “I’m in love with another duke. But I know that I cannot be his. My mother is a Wizr, and she sees things that will happen in the future.” It felt good to speak about it with someone who wasn’t directly involved in the situation. Genny was understanding, but she was also Fallon’s sister.

Sureya’s jaw dropped. “There is no more powerful gift from the Fountain,” she whispered.

“That is true,” Trynne said. “She told me she has seen a vision of the man I will marry. And he is not the man that I wanted him to be.”

Sureya blinked in understanding. “How difficult for you,” she said, taking Trynne’s hands. “I’m sorry.”

Trynne shrugged. “My family is used to swimming in deep waters, you could say.”

“And your mother is leaving the court of Kingfountain?” Sureya said. “Isn’t she the king’s Wizr?”