The Hollow Crown (Kingfountain #4)(22)

Trynne saw the looks of those around her and knew she’d lost. Genevieve was right. If she were to cross swords with Fallon, he would treat her differently because she was a girl. But if he didn’t know it?

She closed her mouth and nodded silently. Her eyes met her father’s.

He was looking at her shrewdly, probably trying to guess what she was thinking.

“It was just a silly notion, Father,” Trynne said demurely.

“I’ll say,” Fallon muttered under his breath, his dismissiveness making her burn with fury inside.

“You’ve always wanted to be a soldier,” Owen said with a knowing smile. “I pray to the Fountain that you will never have to be.”

As he said the words, she felt a little ripple from the Fountain.

Queen Genevieve spoke up next. “What will you call this challenge? Have you given it a name?”

Lord Owen nodded. “It will be called the Gauntlet.”





CHAPTER SEVEN


Farewell Flowers




It was nearly time to return to Ploemeur, but Trynne was not ready to leave Kingfountain. She had been excited to attend Drew and Genevieve’s wedding for months. The fallout of everything that had happened—of everything that would happen—had irrevocably altered her. She could feel the difference in her thoughts, and even though the palace was the same as it had always been, it felt as if her childhood were dying before her eyes. And so, in an outward act of defiance, not yet willing to let go, she visited some of her old childhood haunts to soak up the memories that she would need to sustain her in the months ahead. In a way, it was like saying farewell to the past.

She had saved one of her favorite places in the world for last—the garden on the western portion of the grounds in the lower slope of the hill. Kingfountain’s palace was built atop the hill and surrounded by multiple defensive walls, each one filled with groves of trees, gardens, and the occasional fountain. She liked this one best because it was the location of the Espion porter door that her father had used to sneak to the sanctuary of Our Lady when he was a child. She had needled him to share the story with her repeatedly because it was his first memory of experiencing the power of the Fountain. He had learned that one of his gifts of the Fountain was the ability to resist the magic of others—just like Trynne could do.

That portion of the grounds was full of trimmed lawns and hedges, a spacious fountain, and beautiful magnolia trees. She had many memories of going there with Fallon. In fact, one of her earliest memories was watching him climb the crooked limbs of the trees with their glossy green leaves and pinkish-purple buds. The grove was blooming because of the spring season, and it gave the air a heady smell. Captain Staeli was back by the gate leading into the garden, leaning against the wall with one foot planted back against it, his thumbs hooked in his belt as he scanned the garden. Trynne knelt in the grass beneath one of the huge magnolias, where many of the strange seed pods were strewn about. She picked one up, touching the fuzzy skin and ridges, smiling at the remembrances of how she used to play with them after they’d fallen.

She breathed in the smells as she ran her fingers through the grass next, wishing she could take the entire garden with her to Ploemeur. She loved the city of her birth, but it had different smells because of the different trees and foliage. Eucalyptus trees were common in Brythonica and the air had the smell of the sea, even deep inland. Oh, how she longed to visit all of the different realms, to taste the food and learn about the customs and traditions, as the young men would be allowed to do. At least her little brother would inherit the duchy someday, so she would not be stuck in Ploemeur forever. She would marry, and then a new kingdom would become her home.

The wind rustled the magnolia branches and blew strands of hair across her face. She smoothed them back and closed her eyes, just enjoying the feel of the breeze. Who would she marry? The thought of Prince Elwis brought a flash of resentment and anger. No, she could never marry a man like him. That image was quickly followed by one of Fallon punching Elwis and knocking him down. She was chuckling at the thought when a fuzzy seed pod thumped on the grass next to her.

Opening her eyes, she reached out and picked it up, rubbing her thumb along the velvety edge. Seed pods were shaped like a torch, with long, striated stems that could be broken off. The bulb was soft, similar to a pinecone except velvety in texture, and each segment ended in a tiny black curl. Hidden inside were little red seeds. She’d tried eating one when she was a child, but someone had scolded her and told her they were poisonous. Nothing had ever happened to her as a result. She brushed the seed pod against the tip of her nose and then another one landed on her shoulder.

Trynne looked up curiously, but the tree was bulging with flowers and leaves. Still, she had a sinking suspicion that she was not alone. She looked away and smoothed her skirts across her knees, feigning disinterest in her surroundings as she reached out with her magic. The Fountain magic came to life within her quickly, trickling from her fingers and toes and stretching out in tendrils.

And that’s when she sensed the person hiding behind another tree, off to her right. The presence did not feel threatening or dangerous, and she instantly realized that Fallon had beaten her to her favorite place. He’d seen her enter the garden and had hidden himself to watch her. Now, he was throwing seed pods at her.

Well, two could play childish games.

Trynne innocently picked up several of the pods and collected them on her skirt. She could sense where he was crouching and hiding, and now that she was listening, she could hear a stifled laugh. It made her ears burn pink. She gathered five or six pods surreptitiously and then straightened her back to him, gazing toward the distant porter door. In her mind, she could see him leaning away from the tree, arm cocked back to lob another one at her.