Chapter 120: Resemblance
Evanna was the first to arrive in the prince’s garden; today, he was called out for an urgent matter in Direwood forest, again she was curious as to what would call away the Flori prince away from his royal duties. But although they were on friendly terms, Arawn would not spill such secrets to an outsider. Even though she was part elf, the princess was still from the Kingdom of Dunhurst and someone to have stolen from the Flori. She was not foolish enough to get so lost in the elven world to not understand that this time of peace would come to an end.
Evanna knelt down to the flowers that were still shrivelled up, dying. This was the first time she had returned to them, and although Arawn did not want her trying it so soon, she could not resist trying again. The gifted circle he taught her was only training in increasing the endurance of one’s gift. She wanted to see how far she had come in the three weeks, and so she hovered her hand above the light blue flowers.
Evanna took a deep breath in, releasing slowly as she felt the usual thrum of power behind her fingertips. She tilted her head to the side slightly and watched in awe as tiny flecks of light escaped her fingertips, and the flowers below her hand slowly began to uncurl and bloom before her. The colours became radiant once more, and she brought her hand back to stare at her creation. Her energy depleted only a little, and she did not feel lightheaded. It was a vast improvement.
"*Well done.*"
Arawn’s voice came from behind her; it seemed his footsteps had been silent; otherwise, she would have detected him earlier. Evanna stood up and turned to face him; her heart stopped as her eyes settled on his smile. He stepped forwards and took her hand in his, leaving a tender kiss on her knuckles. "*I did not mean to be late,*" He spoke against her skin. Evanna bit her tongue at how sensitive her hand felt under his lips.
"*I arrived early,*" She replied with a slight blush to her cheeks. The prince was dressed in his ranger attire; he must have come directly from the forest. His boots were covered in mud, and his back consisted of his swords and bow and quiver.
"*So, you could test your power without me here?*" Arawn grinned as he stepped back and gestured for her to go to the seating area. The prince placed his bow and quiver on the side so he could lean back comfortably. Evanna sat next to him, paying no heed to the small distance between them as he stretched his arm out behind her.
"* I was merely curious, and you might have scolded me,*" She pouted at the thought. Arawn was a strict teacher, but she would not complain; who else would help her? He was kind enough to teach her and to keep her secret, considering she was his prisoner.
Arawn chuckled and played with the back of Evanna’s hair while he stared at her features with a grin. "*Your powers have proliferated in a short amount of time. I will not hold you back from advancing on your skills,*" Arawn replied while he continued to play with the strands of her hair.