Meridian Water
The sound of hooves echoed along the road as the carriage rocked us from side to side. We’d left the castle for an urgent audience in a nearby village that rebels had attacked earlier that morning. I was on high alert, eyeing every twist and turn. The Prince wore a closed-off expression, but I could feel his eyes studying me every second.
“If you want, we can stop to rest, Your Majesty,” I said, something telling me it was time for a quick break.
“Are you worried about me, or just trying to dodge this… tense atmosphere?” The prince raised an eyebrow with a sly little smirk.
I took a deep breath. The tension between us was tangible, like a storm about to break. He didn’t seem to be hiding the fact that he was playing along—and deeply invested.
“Your safety is my only pri
