It was a quiet, lonely night.
The palace lay still and was wrapped by the silver moonlight in the sky. Nyella stood alone on the rooftop of the royal house and rested her hands on the stone railing as she gazed out toward the distant hills. She kept staring at the darkness with her mind lost in thought.
She couldn’t stop replaying the moment in her head, the way Elarya had shouted at her and the anger in her voice.
Maybe she’s right, Nyella thought. Maybe this is my fault. Maybe everything Aeron is going through now... it all began when I came into his life.
The thought stung her chest. She wrapped her arms around herself, almost as if to shield her heart from it.
"What would make a young girl, who has everything, stand out here in the middle of the night staring into the distance, if not love?"
The voice behind her was warm and teasing.
Nyella turned quickly. "Mother? What do you mean?"
The queen stepped forward, with a small smile tugging at her lips. "You don’t have to hide it from me anymore," she said. "I’ve suspected for quite some time who might have stolen my daughter’s heart. And as it turns out... It’s a boy who lives far from here. And not just any boy, a dragon rider."
Nyella’s eyes widened. "What?"
"Mhm," the queen said knowingly. "I know."
"That’s impossible..." Nyella started.
"Impossible for anyone else, perhaps. But for me?" the queen replied with a sly look.
Nyella stared at her mother for a long moment and then sighed. "...Devic."
The queen’s smile deepened. "Do not be angry with him. I pressed him with every bit of charm and pressure I had. You know how persuasive I can be."
"Mother..." Nyella shook her head. "You shouldn’t have gone so far. You could have just asked me."
"And would you have told me everything?" the queen asked, raising an eyebrow.
Nyella looked away. "...Maybe not."
"Exactly," the queen said, sounding satisfied.
She walked closer, her voice softening. "Tell me about this dragon rider. This mysterious boy you’ve been disappearing from the palace to see."
Nyella gave a small smile. "He’s ordinary..."
The queen arched a brow.
"...But in the best way," Nyella continued. "He’s smart, kind, brave... and innocent. So innocent."
"Ah," the queen said, tilting her head. "You really do love him."
Nyella’s cheeks grew warm, and she looked away.
"So," the queen went on, "what troubles you? Is it that the Ashantis are after him? Or that he might become a target for others?"
Nyella hesitated before speaking. "...It’s not exactly that. It’s just... his life was so simple before I came along. And ever since, it’s been nothing but danger and complications."
The queen stepped closer, her voice firm but gentle. "No, no, my dear. Don’t even think of blaming yourself. This was his fate from the moment he became a dragon rider. You didn’t choose this for him, and he didn’t choose you for safety. He chose you because you care. So instead of blaming yourself, focus on what you can do. Help him in every way you can. And be careful. I don’t want anything happening to you."
Nyella smiled faintly. "You know I’m always careful... I’m just... confused. I don’t know what’s right anymore."
The queen placed a hand on her daughter’s arm. "Then listen closely. Don’t only follow your heart, follow your mind as well. Don’t let your judgment be clouded by emotions. Do what is right, what you truly believe to be right. Always."
Nyella met her mother’s eyes and saw pride there, and something else, a hint of worry.
The queen’s voice softened again. "Look at you. All grown up... and in love." She teased.
"Stop it, Mother," Nyella said, her blush deepening. "But... thank you."
They stood together for a while under the moonlight, the queen’s arm around her daughter, as the cool night wind carried away their words into the quiet night.
*****
It was the fifth day.
The day the king had set for Aeron to honor the royal invitation.
The sun had barely risen when Princess Nyella slipped quietly out of the palace on her horse trying to get to Varnmoor.
She didn’t want to wait for the others. She needed to get there first.
The capital was still waking up when she passed through the outer gates and soon the sound of her horse’s hooves echoed in the quiet street.
But then, another sound was coming closer to her and it was fast. She looked over her shoulder just as a rider came charging up behind her.
It was Ser Devic.
He reined in beside her. "You didn’t tell me you were leaving earlier than the rest," he said.
Nyella kept her gaze forward and said nothing.
Devic frowned. "Well... I’m coming with you. It’s not too safe out there anymore, and you know that. So why didn’t you tell me?"
The princess’s voice was cold. "I don’t believe I have to report all of my movements to you, Ser Devic."
That caught him off guard. "Whoa... what’s that? What’s with that face and that voice?" He tried to soften the moment with a small grin. "Oh... I see. This is about your mother, isn’t it? Look, I’m sorry. You know how difficult, how pressuring the queen can be. I didn’t have a choice."
Nyella turned her head slightly. "You had plenty of choices. You could have given her false information. You could have kept quiet. But you didn’t. You told her everything... including who he is. That wasn’t your secret to share."
Devic shook his head. "Not Queen Serenya. You can’t lie to her, she sees through everything. Honestly, she had already gathered some pieces on her own. I only confirmed what she already suspected. But still... I am sorry. And... it wouldn’t be so bad to have her on our side, would it?"
Nyella’s voice sharpened. "We are not taking sides. I needed to keep him a secret from everyone, especially those inside the palace."
Devic looked at her knowingly. "But he’s not a secret anymore, is he? And here we are, you, me, riding ahead of the royal guard for his sake. If he comes to the palace, which is exactly what you want, could you protect him alone? Or do you really think you don’t need the queen in this?"
Nyella hesitated. "...Maybe."
"Not maybe," Devic said firmly. "We do need her. And more than her, we’ll need allies if we want to keep him safe. You told me that yourself, remember?"
Nyella’s jaw tightened, but she nodded. "Yes... I did."
"So..." Devic’s expression softened into a small smile. "Are we good now?"
Nyella glanced at him, and the corner of her mouth twitched upward. "Barely."
That made him laugh. "I’ll take barely."
They rode in silence for a while, and then Devic asked, "But what if he refuses to come? What then?"
Nyella didn’t even hesitate. "Then..." She looked toward the horizon. "...I will stay. And I will fight with him."
"..."