Page 101 of The Last Syphon

The stars shone brightly in the dark night, capturing her attention. She looked upwards, utterly entranced. The sky looked different here. More magical. Ethereal. She only had a moment to enjoy it before a chill shot down her spine, and that eerie feeling of being watched returned.

Shivering, she rubbed her arms. Even though she knew she would not find anything, Inara could not help but scan her surroundings, searching for what was causing her discomfort.

Or, the more frightening thought…Who.

Prince Walder seemed to sense the change in her. His entire demeanour changed, going from slightly relaxed and calm to battle mood, his face hardening. He stepped forward, magic rising up around him in powerful force at a perceived threat. “What is it?”

Inara wasn’t sure what to say. That she felt like she was being watched when no one was there? She would sound insane. So she decided to switch the subject.

“What were you doing out so late, anyway? I thought you weren’t allowed to go anywhere without your personal Shielder? Do you often go riding at night?” She could certainly see the appeal. Riding dragonback during the day was beautiful, but at night? Being so close to the stars? It was nothing short of magical.

“I need not gather permission to ride.” A sceptical look crossed his face. His piercing gaze swept the area slowly, methodically, searching even though he couldn’t possibly know what it was he was searching for.

Inara feared he would ask more questions, so she did what she always did when she felt nervous.

Talk.

“I myself like the night. The quiet, the darkness, allows me to think without the chaos. I used to walk a lot back home, when the village was deep in slumber. No one around to talk to me. Bother me. All the pressure on my shoulders was gone for that small amount of time.”

“Pressure?” the prince asked, almost as if he could not help himself.

That eerie feeling disappeared, and Inara felt as though she could finally relax again. “I am—or was—Deadhaven’s unofficial village leader, and as a leader yourself, I’m sure you understand that pressure better than anyone.”

“Yes,” he said, somewhat grimly. “I do.”

Common understanding vibrated between them,—something Inara was quite surprised by. She hadn’t been expecting it. They were such polar opposites that she hadn’t thought they would have a single thing in common.

Turning her back to him, she faced the water, almost getting lost in the beauty of the luminescent water. “If you had the choice to do it all over again, would you choose the same path?”

Gravel crunched beneath his boots as he stepped up to her side. “What do you mean?”

“That pressure. That unrelenting responsibility of having others depend on you. Would you pick that for yourself, if you had the choice?”

A thoughtful expression crossed his face. “I’ve never been asked that question before,” he said softly.

“I doubt anyone asks you any questions of substance.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” he asked, his voice raising slightly.

“Nothing bad.” She clarified. “Your sister mentioned that no one really challenges you, and I’ll admit it’s something I’ve noticed. No one questions you. No one really even tries to talk to you. I guess being prince comes with that, but I bet it would lead to a pretty lonely life.”

His head tilted ever so slightly. Something flashed in his violet eyes.

“If I were given the choice again, I would run in the opposite direction, as selfish as that sounds,” Inara admitted. She looked down, kicking at the small stones at her feet. “I would leave Deadhaven and explore the realm, like I’ve always dreamed.”

“You wish to travel?”

“More than anything.” She breathed, looking up at him. “I wish to see the dark depths of the Shadowed Seas. Climb the Roylanan Mountains. There is even a small part of me—not a smart part, I will admit—but a part that yearns to see the ruined city of Tolanaa, regardless of the fact that it is cursed.”

Brows raised, Prince Walder asked, in a surprised tone, “I did not take you for the type to believe in ghost stories.”

“That’s because you don’t know me.” Inara shoved him playfully, and she did not miss the way his eyes widened just that little bit. “But surely you have heard the tales of the Dead Kingdom? The rumours that the land is haunted by the souls of those who perished at the hands of the Cursed King?”

“I think it is all a bunch of words. There is no evidence to suggest it is cursed.”

Inara felt like chuckling. Of course. The man was full of logic. He would need proof.

“What about the reports of people travelling there only to never return?”