Arell set his hat on a stand in the dining hall, brushed his hair behind his ears, and gave Silas one last look.

“There is hope, Arell,” the chief whispered as he turned toward the window, singing softly. The melody followed Arell to the door and played continually in his mind after he stepped outside into the starry night.

A Cho Nisi cradle song. He could hear his mother’s voice as if she were walking through the courtyard with him, and he hummed along. Why Silas chose that melody puzzled him unless it the song gave him strength or peace.

The stars and moon will bide the hour,

Nesting in the shadowed bower.

But night in time will fade away,

Into the magic of a dawning day.

Arell nodded to the sentry on watch. “Take me to the princess,” he whispered. The guard quickly obeyed as if he, too, felt guilty he had locked the princess in a cell. A cold, dark stairwell led into the dungeon. The air smelled musty and rotten—a horror pit that when he descended he had to hunch over like an animal to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling. Arell hadn’t visited this place since his childhood. As a curious young lad, he stole down here to explore, and the smell had been so bad, he left heaving his breakfast.

One could not cleanse a pit hole like this. No light ever seeped through these walls to dry it out, either. Stepping into its depths slammed him with self-reproach. He shouldn’t have sent the daughter of King Tobias into this dismal hole. She did nothing deserving of confinement, especially not in a dungeon. She only sought to defend herself.

Had his father’s death rendered him callous?

“We must release her,” he told the sentry.

“Of course, Vasil,” the soldier said and took the keys from a ring hanging near their heads.

Arell shivered from the dank air and the encroaching stone walls as the man unlocked the iron gate. A little farther and the jailer unlocked the gate to the cell.

The princess huddled in a dark corner, squatting on the damp floor, hugging her knees. He tried to touch her shoulder, but she flinched.

“You don’t belong here,” he whispered gently. “Come with me.”

“You’re an arrogant, condescending pig of a man,” she stated simply, nestling farther into the shadows.

“Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

“First of all, why would you assume that I’m a dainty, fragile buttercup who likes floral-covered chalices and shallow conversations?”

“I don’t know. I suppose I assumed incorrectly. Come with me.”

“Second, what audacity that you should send me to a room as if I were a child who spilled milk on the throne.”

“Another reckless conjecture.”

“Who do you think you are? You just inherited a kingdom, and you have no inkling of how to rule it. Yet you speak like a narcissistic superior to the daughter of the most famous king of this century.”

Arell stooped to her height, holding on to his patience. He had to listen to her and not let her insults affect him. “I apologize for my imprudence.”

She glared into his eyes—hers a deep, beautiful blue. He could look at them all evening, but not in this cold prison cell.

“And then you have me thrown into this rat hole of a dungeon. Who do you think you are?”

“No one, Fairest. Except a fool trying to fill the place of a great man who was prematurely and tragically taken away from us.”

Her frown softened, and she looked away.

“I abused my power and I’m dreadfully sorry. Will you forgive me and come back to the palace? I believe we can work out our differences if I act according to my position.”

It took a lot to admit his wrongs to her, especially after she came as a trespasser to his kingdom. She had some valid arguments, though.

“I’m willing to discuss our disagreements peacefully. Please?” He held out his hand again at the risk of her biting it.

Instead of hurling any more hostilities against him, she accepted his help. Holding her elbow, he escorted her slowly up the long stairwell. When they came to the castle, he thought quickly of a room wherein she would feel comfortable enough to converse, a place where they could be alone, a chamber where they could speak their hearts and perhaps come to some sort of truce. The second drawing-room provided the perfect setting. An intimate chamber with a bookshelf, a fireplace, and a chaise and chair, he the King of Cho Nisi and she, King Tobias’ daughter——once allies and both great nations in their own right. Nighttime had darkened the palace, so he removed a lantern in the hall and guided her to the drawing-room, shutting the door quietly behind him.

“Please. Make yourself comfortable.”

She threw herself on the chaise, bent over, and buried her head in her hands. Arell sat on the end of the chair and waited, not sure what to say.

“You’re like all the noblemen I’ve known. Are there any of you less taxing?” She wiped her cheeks with her hand and blinked tears from her eyes. “Except for my brother. My brother is a true gentleman.”

Arell could do nothing but stare at her. Her rich auburn hair streaming off her shoulders in gentle waves, her rosy cheeks, and the dimple on her chin. Her beauty and her fortitude fascinated him.

“How are you so haughty? Are you like that with all women? Dominating all that they do and say?”

Arell shook his head. That’s what she thought?

“You think I’ll wear whatever you put in your guest closet? Directing strangers into my room to bathe me? Surely you jest!”

His cheeks grew warm. He hadn’t considered her feelings on the matter, he merely thought she’d look pretty in the chiton he had Serena deliver. He kept that to himself, though, so as not to give her more ammunition.

“And the note! How supercilious of you! Did you send a note like that to Kairos? No! You did not because you wouldn’t insult him in such a manner. But you would insult me. Why?”

Arell opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“I’ll have you know, I’m as good as any man. I deserve the same respect. Why are you staring at me?”

“I don’t know, Erika. May I call you that? It’s a beautiful name.”

She looked into his eyes, searching. Something troubled her deeply as if he had an answer for her. Her voice softened.

“I suppose. It’s my name. My brother calls me by my name.” She sighed and looked away. “He always criticizes me. I love him more than anyone in my family. I look up to him. And yet I’m always…I don’t know. Beneath him. My father’s the same way. I’m a child unless I’m dressed in lace and finery. But I cannot live my life pretending to be a lady. It’s just not me.”

She looked up at him again as if expecting a response, but he had nothing to say to her. His mind spun. He had imprisoned her, and yet here they were talking to each other intimately. She poured her heart out about her family and looked at him as though he had counsel for her.

“In a way, I understand,” he said.

“You do?”

“Yes. I’m not really a kingly sort of person. I prefer the beach to fineries. Spearfishing and canoeing. I can understand you not wanting to dress in frills if you’d rather wear …armor.” Arell despised wearing armor. Perhaps he didn’t understand.

She regarded his doublet and, with a look of disbelief, went on. “The dresses you gave me aren’t really all that bad, not like those we have at home. This armor is the only corset I’ll ever wear, just so you know. I’m not at all like my sisters.”

“You have sisters?’ He persuaded her to keep talking, though Kairos had already told him a little about her.

“Two. They’re twins. Older than me. They’re…courtly. Me, I’m…I don’t know, a Tomboy I guess would be the proper term. I didn’t know my mother. My father raised us, but I needed to prove myself to all of them. They grieved over the woman who died giving birth to me.”

“I’m sorry–about your mother. You shouldn’t have to prove yourself to anyone.”

“Well, I do, and I have to.”

“Is that why you came here? To prove you could conquer a kingdom?”

She glared at him.

“Just being yourself is virtuous enough. Your courage. Fighting for what you believe in, even if it’s wrong,” he smiled. She frowned. “Well, it was wrong, you know. You came here threatening me. I’m not sure how you expected me to react. What if someone you didn’t know came to your castle and threatened to take your position away? Just on impulse?”

“I honestly didn’t know about an heir to the Cho Nisi throne. I thought I would negotiate for my father.”

“So, you were aware that no one sat on the throne. That our king was dead. How?”

“Everyone knew.”

“How did he die?”

She focused on her hands, spinning a lace to her cloak in tight winding circles.

“How did my father die?” he asked again.

“By an arrow.”

“By whom?”

She shut her lips tight, like a clam.

“Cho Nisi elders demand to know the name of his assassin. They’ve asked that your father send him to us so that we may serve justice for the king’s blood. Do you know who this man is?”

She shook her head and wiped her face as if forcing tears back into the wells from where they came, but she didn’t say a word. Perhaps he pressed too hard. Maybe she hadn’t the courage she wanted people to think she had. Or maybe she had feelings for the man who killed his father. Or perhaps her brother is the murderer.”

“One more question. Erika.” He paused, taking in a breath. “Is your father, your King asking for war with us? Had your father ordered my father’s murder?”

She started, opening her eyes wide with a strange, indecipherable look, almost as though the thought surprised her, and then she flushed, leaving Arell wondering why.

“No! No, not at all.” She shifted in the chair. “My father is a gentleman and a righteous ruler. He had nothing to do with your father’s death. Please believe that. My father is innocent of your father’s blood.” She paused. “The threat of the dark lord’s minions coming against our kingdom is real. This threat will come to your island. You can’t prevent it, it’s only a matter of time. You need us and we need you.”

“You need us enough to conquer us?” Arell studied her intensely.

“My father wants to protect your people. And our people need your magic.”

She fidgeted with her cloak and so Arell scooted on the chair next to her and placed his hand on her fingers. To calm her perhaps, or to just feel her, to connect with her.

“I will ask nothing else. But you must stay here until we get this sorted.”

“Am I a prisoner?”

“I wouldn’t use that term. I’d rather call you our guest. Hopefully, you’ll take advantage of your time here. The island is beautiful. The people are kind. You could enjoy yourself if you didn’t think of yourself as a captive.”

“But I am a captive. You’ve destroyed my skiff and separated me from my friends.” She squinted at him, resentment coming from her eyes again. She moved to pull her hands away and he let her.

“Princess Erika, please remember that you’ve threatened my kingdom. Our nations were allies. My father died while fighting alongside your army. All I want is this mystery answered. I’m his heir. I’m entitled to know the truth!”

They stared at each other. What was it about her that enthralled him? Her beauty, her charisma, her fire. Or being the daughter of a king, whom Cho Nisi needed to be allied with? What made his heart pound when he gazed into her eyes?

“All I ask is for cooperation.” He took her hands again.

She stared at his hands on hers, and then gently touched his fingers with hers. He too watched their hands. She looked up at him. Her eyes sparkled like a pool of cool water shimmering in the sun. She might be feisty, but she seemed innocent, trembling, and afraid. He fought his instinct to comfort her. They had, after all, just met.

“Will you visit me?” she asked and added with a snicker, “while I’m confined to my room?”

He raised his brow in surprise. “I will not confine you to your room. The palace and the servants are at your disposal. Roam freely. If you like to ride, I thought I’d show you the island.” he promised. They gazed at each other for a long while, and Arell fought the urge to not fall under her spell.

“Be alert, and care that she doesn’t take you by the horns.”

Silas had misspoken this time. Princess Erika might know the answer to all his questions and be refusing to tell. With kindness, he might discover who killed his father, and with kindness, he possibly could persuade her father to send the murderer to them. Chief Silas declared Erika an enemy, but Arell saw no adversary in her. He saw a passionate and confused young lady.

He offered her a hand. “Come. Today has been exhausting for both of us. I’ll take you to your room. We can speak politics another time.”