CHAPTER 2: Chosen

Callum woke up early that morning, his stomach doing flips as he forced himself out of bed. Even with all the activity of the evening prior, he still hadn't managed to get much sleep.

This wasn't a big deal. Just the thing that might indicate that he might finally be good at something useful. Something worth the actual prince title. One that he hadn't even been born into. A connection he could earn all on his own. No pressure.

He pulled a stray book off his bedside table—Secrets of Xadia—a history book he'd read maybe four years ago or so, for a basic rundown of various places in Xadia. He flipped over to the section about Moonshadow elf villages. He smiled a little, running his fingers over an illustration of a shimmering domed cottage. Maybe Rayla had grown up in one of these?

He still wished he'd been able to ask her for a dance last night. Maybe she would have said no, but…

He'd been happy to see her, last night. Just to see her face, at first, and then to get to see her in a different setting, so blatantly stunning that it nearly took him off guard… She'd always been beautiful. When she was training in the mornings, her focus razor-sharp, or when she was training him with a firm but encouraging hand. And yet, there had been things he hadn't noticed before last night, either. The gentle broadness in her shoulders, the smooth curve of her neck, especially since her hair was up for the first time he could remember. Maybe it was for the best that he hadn't been able to ask for a dance; if she'd accepted, he absolutely would have tripped over his own two feet, as he was apt to do even when he wasn't standing so close to a pretty girl, but a part of him couldn't help but regret the missed opportunity anyway.

There was a knock at his door, and he wondered how long he'd been staring at the page in his own thoughts. "Prince Callum," came a guard's voice. "It's time."

Right. It was the morning of his Choosing Ceremony and all he'd been able to think about was a girl.

"Coming," he called, closing the book and setting it aside.

He pulled on his scarf and his coat and ran his fingers faintly through his hair. Took a deep breath and then opened the door.

Time to find out if he was a mage.

The walk down the hallway seemed so much longer, his steps slower and heavier as the guards escorted him to the backdoor palace gardens and the tower, gazebo like structure that rose up in the centre of the grounds. Opeli and King Harrow were waiting for him at the foot of it. They were both smiling warmly at him, and it made his stomach even more queasy.

"The key is waiting for you inside," Opeli said, gesturing to the curtained-off area behind her. "Let us know when you're ready for us to join you."

Callum nodded, then took a breath. "Okay. Here goes nothing."

He stepped behind the curtain. It took only moments till the others outside saw light shining from behind the curtain.

"Rayla? May I have a word with you?"

Rayla stopped short when the queen approached her on her daily rounds, immediately turning and bowing. "Of course, my queen."

"Oh, there's no need—please," Queen Sarai said, and Rayla slowly rose. "You've been a loyal member of the elven crownguard for years. There's no need for you to bow."

Rayla only nodded, unsure of how to respond any further, but luckily Queen Sarai didn't let the silence stretch on for long.

"My son will be back with his results soon," she said, glancing out the window towards where Rayla knew the gazebo lay. "He may indeed go on a pilgrimage… and if he does, I want you to accompany him."

"Of course," Rayla said, unable to keep from doing a short bow. "As the crownguard, it's our honour and duty—"

"Just you," Queen Sarai clarified quickly, and Rayla's eyes widened. "If… you're comfortable with that?"

"...Yes! Yes, just… surprised, is all."

"I've seen how you are with him, and he seems comfortable with you. It might feel too… stifled, with both you and Soren, and I think Callum would feel safer with you accompanying him, while still being able to be relaxed. And this way, we can keep one of our co-captains here, too."

"I see." Rayla straightened. "I'll keep your son safe on his pilgrimage, and bring him home, Your Majesty. I swear it."

Queen Sarai smiled. "I know. Thank you. And I'm sure he'll be happy to be travelling with you as well."

Whether or not he'd be happy to have to spend who knew how much time alone with her was probably the least of their concerns, but Rayla smiled and nodded anyway, before being dismissed to continue her rounds. How did she feel about having to spend that much time with him, anyway?

It didn't matter. Whatever fluke had happened at the gala was irrelevant and she was supposed to be his protector and teacher, not even his friend. Hell, they weren't friends. Not really. They hardly saw each other outside of his training and so what if he watched her train sometimes? He probably watched all the servants a little, here and there. An artist's eye. And it's not like anything Soren said could be trusted. Guy was an idiot.

This was an order.

At the very least, a request, and one she couldn't refuse—even if she wanted to.

Word had spread by lunchtime that Prince Callum had been chosen by the Sky Primal. The rumour was that it had glowed strong and steady for him, far brighter than Earth had glowed for his stepfather. The news was generally well received, even if it also left everyone feeling slightly troubled.

Skywing elves had, in many ways, gone a similar route to the Tidebound elves, largely staying out of the war and its political and ideological squabbles. But plenty more Skywing elves stayed and ran ammunition and worked for both sides, or for the Dark Order directly. Travelling to the Sky Nexus, abandoned by the dragons millennia ago, would not be strictly speaking a safe journey. Either way, it was bound to be a long journey, a far longer one than the trip to the Moon Nexus. A month there, and a month back, and that was assuming they didn't face some kind of delay. (Rayla had learned to always expect some kind of delay.)

At least two months alone with the prince on a potentially dangerous journey. Rayla barely had time to process it, the news received just an hour before her usual training time with Callum.

"Hey," he said, giving her a small, nervous smile, the way he had at the gala. "Um, Mom says you're coming with me on the pilgrimage?"

"I am. Congratulations, by the way."

"Thanks. I'm… just relieved one of them glowed for me at all." They were both silent for a moment, and Callum rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes searching for something to look at that, apparently, wasn't her. "Um. Did you have a good time at the party?"

She shrugged. "It's a party, and I was technically still working."

"Right. Um. But it was okay?"

"Yeah." She passed him his wooden sword. "You remember what I told you from our last lesson?"

Callum nodded, somewhat deflated before he adjusted his stance. "Light on my toes, steady core."

"Good." She smiled slightly when he struck first, even as she deflected it. It was stronger, this time. More precise. Still a little slow, but…

She watched him hesitate when he managed to get an opening, closing it before he could get his strike in. There was something so familiar about it, even as she watched him try to shake himself off.

She won in the end, getting the sword to drop out of his hand as she pointed the wooden end of hers at his neck. She dropped it, picking his practice sword up and handing it back to him. "You're overthinking it," she said.

"I am?"

She nodded. "It's normal to get caught up in technique," she said. "You're picking it up well, but it's starting to slow you down." She studied his face. "And… you hesitated."

"Hmm?"

"You got an opening. You didn't take it."

"Oh. I mean, I guess—I just don't wanna do the wrong thing."

She gestured for him to follow, and they both sat down on the nearby bench. She handed him a flask of water, waiting patiently as he drank. "Is there… anything else on your mind?" she asked. "I know it's been a big day."

He set the flask down on his other side, closing it. "Just didn't expect anything to actually glow for me," he began, his voice soft and thoughtful. "I don't think anyone did. I had hoped, but… And then it did, but…"

"Sky's tricky," she said carefully, "but I know you'll do what's right. I have no doubt you'll learn magic quickly, after the pilgrimage, and then… I don't know, it might help, having the Skywing elves see someone sort of like them." She took a chance, resting a hand on his shoulder. "You're doing just fine, Prince Callum."

He tried for a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thanks, Rayla." He finally looked up at her, and his expression brightened. "You know, I think this the longest you've gone without calling me 'Your Highness'."

She blinked. "Oh. Um…"

"It was nice," he said. "And you know, you could just call me Callum."

She hastily retracted her hand. "It wouldn't be appropriate—"

"Why not? We've known each other since we were, like, fourteen. Soren and Claudia call me by just my name."

Rayla floundered and scrounged something up. "Moonshadow elves believe in keeping a certain amount of distance. It makes duty easier to manage."

"Oh." He searched her face; for what, she wasn't sure, but she felt exposed all the same. "Even with friends?"

"I—uh—" Were they friends? She'd kept telling herself they weren't, but why else would she be so invested in how he feels outside of training or just simply protecting him? "I never had many," she mumbled quickly. "I wouldn't know."

"Oh," he said, and she bristled at the softness in his voice. "I'm sorry—"

"No, it's not—I was so busy with training growing up, is all. Never had much time for it."

"Still. It sounds lonely."

"I had my family," she said, almost grimacing as soon as she'd said it. She and Runaan were still on stiff terms even after all this time. Her parents were part of the Dragonguard, and she hadn't seen them since she was ten. Under her bed were several letters from Ethari, which she hadn't had the heart to reply to. But lonely wasn't bad, was it? Lonely meant she'd be fine when everyone else was gone. They basically all were anyway.

"Still," Callum said, but his smile eased. "I've never heard you talk about your family."

Rayla shrugged. "It never came up." She got up suddenly. "You ready to try again?"

Callum stared up at her for a moment. "Oh. Um. Sure." He slowly got up from the bench, following her back to the middle of the courtyard.

"So right now your biggest issue is speed," she began, before Callum could say anything else. "It'll get easier over time as you grow more comfortable with your technique, but for now…"

"Are you sure I can't go with you?"

Callum smiled, just a tad sadly as he packed up the last of some of his things in a knapsack. It would be important to travel light. "Sorry, Ez. It's a journey I'm supposed to take mostly alone, and you'd get tired of it real soon anyway."

"No I wouldn't."

"It's at least two months. Do you really wanna be away from Mom and Dad for that long?"

"No, but you can't want to, either."

Callum paused. Fair point. "Yeah, but I'm older—technically an adult, now—so it's easier to be away from them for a while. And I have to go. It's my pilgrimage."

Ezran pouted from where he was sitting on Callum's bed. "Do you have to take Rayla too? She always turns a blind eye when I steal jelly tarts from the kitchen. Whose gonna do that now ?"

Callum smiled a little. Rayla had always been Ezran's not-so-secret favourite guard. "I'm sure you'll figure something out. It'll be good to brush up on your stealth skills, yeah?"

"I guess," Ezran mumbled. Even at only thirteen, he'd already shot up in height, and was too big to sneak in through the vents.

He knew Ez was thinking along the same lines. "Send Bait in solo?" Callum suggested.

"Maybe." He glanced at Bait, who had perched himself on Callum's desk with seemingly no intention of moving from it anytime soon.

Which reminded Callum… he fixed his brother with a firm stare. "And while I'm gone, don't touch my stuff."

Ezran pouted. "I would never ," he said, as innocently as he could manage. It would be pretty convincing if Callum hadn't spent years finding jelly fingerprints all over his clothes and books.

"I'm serious," he said. "No stealing my shirts, or going through whatever sketchbook I leave behind. Or my class notes. You actually have to listen to Kazi."

Ezran sighed. "Fine. Can I have one coat while you're gone?"

"Why? You have plenty of your own."

"I'll miss you."

Callum softened. "I'll miss you, too." He straightened up. "Look, here—" He went over to his closet and pulled out the blue coat he'd worn when he was around Ezran's age and pulled it over his baby brother's shoulders. "If you don't grow out of it too fast."

Ezran slipped his arms through the sleeves, smiling. It fit him better than it had Callum at that age. He looked at Callum again, then threw his arms around his waist. "Stay safe," he mumbled as Callum hugged him back.

"I will. Take care of yourself and listen to Mom and Dad, okay? And Kazi. And don't eat too many jelly tarts before bed, or you'll get sick."

"I know, I know." Ezran pulled away first, only to hop up on Callum's bed and let his legs swing as much as they could now with his height. "So, are you excited?"

"Yeah," he said, and he meant it. Even if some parts of the situation weren't exactly what he'd expected. "I've been reading up on Sky magic and it looks really interesting. And just getting to go to Xadia for the first time will be amazing."

"Even if you have to pass through some Order territory?"

Callum smiled a little. "What? Don't you trust Rayla to keep me safe?"

"Of course I do," said Ez petulantly, and then in a brighter tone, "It is nice she's the one going with you."

"Yeah." Callum turned back to his bag, some warmth in his chest. "It is." Even if she had been a tad standoffish in their training the other day, but he wasn't about to say he knew her well enough to know or understand her moods. But maybe this trip could be a chance to try.

"You're excited to be traveling with her, huh?"

Callum's brow rose. "Um… yeah? I just told you that I'm excited to go to Xadia."

"Yeah. With her ."

He shrugged. "You said it yourself. Rayla's cool."

"Yeah, but I don't watch her train every morning."

Callum nearly dropped the book he was trying to pack away. A furious flush rose to his cheeks. "How do you know…? I don't do that every morning."

"You're not exactly discreet, Callum," Ezran said plainly. "You've gotten better at hiding your crush now than you were with Claudia, but—"

" Crush ?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't have a—" His cheeks were burning. "She's nice, and I think she's cool. That's all."

"Mmhm, sure."

Callum's voice grew warning. " Ez ."

"What? I think she likes you, too."

"Don't be ridiculous. Rayla does not like me." Why would she? Asking for a dance wasn't outside the realm of friendship—although Viren's interruption had probably saved both of them the embarrassment of her saying no at the ball, anyway. He turned and threw a sharp look at his brother over his shoulder. "I don't want to talk about this, Ez."

Ezran let out a long sigh. "Fine," he said, hopping off of the foot of the bed. He took Bait off Callum's desk and tucked him under his arm. "I'll see you at dinner."

A farewell dinner was planned tonight, just for the family.

Callum figured he should offer up at least a small peace offering. "I'll sneak you a jelly tart?"

Ezran's face lifted and he smiled, a mischievous and familiar glint in his eyes as Callum smiled back at him. "You better."

"Hold on." Harrow caught him by the shoulder when Callum went to leave the dining room with his mother and brother, his tone light and cheery. "I want a word, Prince Callum."

A faint, playful smile crossed Callum's lips. "My king?"

Years ago, he might've addressed Harrow as that, seriously so, when he couldn't get away with not addressing him at all. It had taken a while for him to feel fully comfortable with calling his stepfather Dad , and he didn't know if he would've been able to do it, if not for his mother. But they were here, warm and comfortable as Harrow released them and they walked the long way round the table towards the roaring fireplace, and Callum was glad for it.

"I just want to make sure you're going to be smart," Harrow began, "and safe. You know you'll have to go through Earthblood and Skywing territory, to reach the Sky Nexus. The mages there may not be particularly fond of teaching an Allied human."

"It's not like I'm first," Callum said, "but I will be safe, I promise. That's why I have Rayla, right?"

A faint smile played on Harrow's lips, not unlike the one Sarai had had when she'd summoned him to the library that day before his birthday gala. "I know, and I trust that we've placed you in the best hands. She's a capable young woman. But be on your guard all the same. Things are… uneasy."

Callum's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"The Order is advancing on Lux Aurea, again."

"For certain?"

"Your aunts have reported it."

"But they won't get far."

"No, but if war does break out— real war…"

Callum's gaze drifted to the fire, watching the logs crumble beneath it. He thought of the little he'd learned of Dark Magic, what he knew it could do. The lack of limits it had, the slippery slope it built, the way the Order saw it as a mountain to climb. Questions of sentience and consent blatantly ignored for power.

His voice was quiet. "We don't have the upper hand, do we?"

"No," Harrow admitted heavily. "We don't.

Callum's lips pressed into a thin line. "We'll be careful," he said. "And we'll get back as soon as we can, and… if there's anything I can do, once I've connected to the arcanum—"

"We're hoping it doesn't come to that." Harrow looked at him. "My wish is that you and your brother get to grow up and enjoy yourselves, and assume your responsibilities at your own pace. That being said… mage hood may not be your most powerful asset."

"What do you mean?"

"Marriage, son," Harrow said softly.

Callum tried not to grimace. "Right. Swaying neutral Earthblood lords, right?"

"Perhaps," said Harrow carefully. "It would not be to anyone you detest. And hopefully will not be necessary at all. I was allowed to marry for love. You deserve the same option—the window of opportunity just may not be open forever."

Nettled, Callum said, "I can't just choose when to fall in love with someone."

"No, but it doesn't hurt to keep your eyes and heart a bit more open. That person might be closer than you think."

Callum rolled his eyes. "If you're talking about Claudia—"

"I'm not talking about anyone in particular," Harrow said, now smiling slightly. "Although no, I was not talking about Claudia, either. I'm just saying things can sneak up on us. That's how your mother was for me."

Callum smiled a little. Even if his relationship with his stepfather hadn't started out as close as it was now, he'd always known beyond a shadow of a doubt how much his parents loved one another. "I'll think about it," he said. "Though I don't think I'll be able to do much about it till I get back."

"You never know," Harrow said cheerfully, and then, turning somber. "We've already had some surprises recently, haven't we?"

Callum thought of his cube ceremony. He hadn't expected Sky. He hadn't expected… He cleared his throat. "Yeah. We have."

Harrow placed a hand on his shoulder. "You'll be alright, son."

"I know." Then he realized Harrow wasn't just coming over to hug him, but also leaning down to kiss his forehead, and Callum struggled against his father's grip. "Hey, Dad—don't you think I'm a little old for—?"

Harrow's lips found Callum's hairline anyway. "Nope." Then he pulled him into a tight hug. "We'll see you off in the morning."

Callum smiled slightly in spite of himself. "Okay. Goodnight, Dad. I love you."

Harrow clapped him on the shoulder one last time. "I love you, too, son."

They departed at dawn, the sun not even up yet when Callum said goodbye to his family. His parents hugged him tightly, then Ezran came back for a second one, before they finally let him go. Rayla left only strict instructions to a few guards on duty before they mounted their horses, Callum struggling with the saddle before he settled in. They were well through the woods by the time the sun began to rise, and Callum already found himself nodding off.

"Hey." A sharp nudge to his side. "Not so fast, sleepy prince."

Callum smiled a little, even in his sleepiness. "Sorry," he yawned. "Not used to being up so early."

"It's better that we get a good start, and we can stop before dusk with a good amount of distance between us. And you don't want to go falling off the saddle."

He'd nearly fallen off multiple times without nodding off, but he didn't mention that. "How do you stay awake?"

"I'm used to getting up early."

"Even earlier than when you're training?" he asked, nearly covering his mouth. Because it totally wasn't weird to keep mentioning that you watched your crownguard/trainer in the mornings when no one else was around.

Rayla just smiled faintly. "I train for about two hours every morning, so I'm not sure when you're catching me, but it's likely that I'm nearly done by the time you're up to see."

Callum's brows rose to his forehead. "Two hours?"

"My old mentor got me in the habit," she said. Her smile faltered for a moment.

"You were ten when you started training, right?" he asked. Rayla nodded. Callum vaguely remembered his mother giving him that bit of information when she'd first come to the castle to train with the crownguard. He'd been so impressed by it. He still was.

"Like you said." Her lips twitched. "Intense."

Callum's smile grew. "Are you excited to go back to Xadia?"

"It will be nice to see it again," she said. "It's been a long while."

"What's your favourite thing about it?"

She glanced at him, her smile threatening to grow. "You want me to name one thing I like about a huge mass of various territories?"

"Fine. Give me a list."

Rayla rolled her eyes fondly. "How about we wait until you get there? I'll even show you around, if we have time."

"Really?" He couldn't hide his giddiness even if he'd tried.

"Yes. But we have to get to the border first, which means no more falling off steeds. And no falling asleep on them, either."

Callum held his hands together in an almost excited clap, the reins bunched between his fingers. "Right, right." Xadia . Wow. He excused it by deciding that it was the best way to keep him awake, as he asked, "What was it like growing up there?"

Rayla was quiet for a moment. "Well, I've spent a quarter of my life here in Katolis now. There are elves who would be better equipped to answer that than me."

"Well, yeah," said Callum with a strange smile. "But I'm not asking them . I'm asking you ." Then he winced. "Not that you have to answer, I mean—it's not—it's not an order."

"It's okay," she said, and he counted it as a victory when she gave him a small smile. "What I remember is… dusk, mostly. Moonshadow villages are usually cloaked in it by magic. Mine was no exception. It was nice, though. Peaceful. We mostly kept to ourselves, but we looked out for each other. Did what we could for the good of the community. Many Moonshadow elves never leave the villages they're born in."

"Why did you leave then?" he asked.

Rayla bit her lip. "Just… thought I'd be able to do more outside of the Silvergrove. My village, that is. Katolis felt as good a place as any. And I've enjoyed my time here."

"Yeah," said Callum, and then thoughtfully, "It is different though, isn't it? I guess… I still remember when I first came to the castle. It just seemed so big ."

"How old were you again, when you first came to the castle?" she asked.

"Three or four, I think. My mom moved pretty quickly after my… birth father passed away. But the king is a good man, and a good dad. So I was really lucky. Am really lucky. Even if I don't enjoy everything being a prince requires."

She smiled. "Like sword fighting, Your Highness?"

Callum threw her a grin. "You make it bearable and you know it."

"Maybe so," she said smoothly, even if he swore he caught a hint of pink dusting her cheeks. "And your training isn't on hold just because we're travelling, by the way."

"Hey, I may have been falling asleep, but I wasn't foolish enough to dream of that." He raised his chin. "Intense, remember?"

"Ah, you've been learning quickly, then," she smiled. "You're sure it'll stay bearable?"

"As long as you're the one teaching me," he said, feeling a little bolder when Rayla glanced away with a flush. "Who trained you growing up?"

Her smile flickered. "Um, his name is Runaan," she said. "He's the leader of the assassins in my village—but he trained me more as a protector, obviously."

Callum's pitch was off. "Obviously."

Rayla let out a low chuckle. "I almost joined them," she said, "but his husband—one of my caretakers—was worried about me joining, and I was so young. He… thought I was too soft-hearted."

"I dunno," said Callum thoughtfully. "You're pretty tough."

She rewarded him with a tiny smile. "I am," she considered. "But… it's different, taking a life. I never really had it in me, so…" Her voice hardened. "That being said, I won't let anything stand in my way when it comes to keeping you safe."

"I know," Callum smiled. "And, um, that's a good thing, by the way. That you'd rather take as little life as possible."

Rayla's smile softened. "Some would disagree, but… thank you."

His eyes crinkled at the corners. "You're welcome."

They rode on for another stretch before taking a quick stop in a clearing, feeding their mounts and stretching their legs. Callum had some trouble with the stirrup, like always, but Rayla never said anything—neither offering help nor deirison—and that was more than he could say for the few occasions he went out riding with Soren back at the palace. The sun was shining brightly now, rays of light filtering through the trees and bouncing off the lush, green leaves of summer. He watched the light catch in Rayla's silver hair as she pet her horse, and, not for the first time, resisted the urge to draw her.

He didn't know why, exactly. It just felt like he'd never be able to get it right.

She fished through her own knapsack once her horse was settled, before pulling out some bread and fruit and tossing it over to Callum. He caught an apple awkwardly, accidentally in the crook of his arm when it missed his hands, and dropped the packaged bread flat out. Rayla picked it up from the dirt, brushing it off the white wax paper.

"We'll have to work on your hand-eye coordination too," she said, the corners of her mouth twitching. She placed it in his other hand, before holding up her own. "Thought it about time we had breakfast."

Oh, right. It was still morning.

They sat down at the base of a large tree, Callum shifting a little to stretch out his legs, his brain short-circuiting at a brief brush of his thigh against hers. He hadn't meant to sit so close, but now he was here, and wouldn't it be rude to scoot away? She'd already started eating and clearly didn't mind, probably didn't care, and why did he care anyway?

He glanced over when he saw Rayla peeling some sort of small, round fruit in her hand that seemed to be covered in thick pink leaves with yellow tips. It almost looked like a small domed dragon egg, going by pictures he'd seen. He watched as she peeled away enough leaves and then easily broke off a piece of the fruit, soft looking and like an orange, and popped it in her mouth.

Then Rayla caught him looking and he floundered. "No seeds," he said, hoping his face didn't look as flushed as it felt.

"Xadian fruit," she said. She broke off another piece, holding it out to him. "Wanna try?"

His fingers brushed hers as he took it. It always surprised him how small her hands were, even more than how calloused they were. He lifted the slice to his curled lips. "You're sure you're not poisoning me?"

"I just ate it," she said, almost laughing. "If you're being poisoned, so am I."

"You could know something about elven immunity that I don't," he said, even as he popped it into his mouth. "Or," he said, after swallowing, "you did poison the both of us on purpose, for some reason, and in a few moments we'll just fade away together out here."

Rayla snorted. "And you just ate it with that consideration."

"Well, if I have to spend my last moments with anyone," he mused, and she glanced away with a slight flush. "Besides, I'd literally be lost without you."

"We're not that far from the castle," she said. "You could find your way back. Unless you failed geography?"

"I'm good at drawing maps, not following them."

"I weep for your old palace tutor, then." They both laughed again, and he looked at her, his gaze lingering this time. He'd hardly ever seen her so relaxed, just leaning against the tree, her face flushed from barely-suppressed laughter.

"We'll pray that Ez is better with Kazi, then," he said.

"Of course it was Kazi," Rayla smiled. "What a poor, patient soul."

"Hey, they actually trust me to help with some of Ez's lessons."

"Not geography, though."

"Mostly politics."

Rayla tilted her head slightly. "It's sweet that you help out, though."

Callum smiled. "Thanks. He wanted to come along actually. He was particularly disappointed that I was bringing you along too. Apparently you turn a blind eye to his jelly tart escapades?"

Rayla smoothed her face over but her eyes betrayed her mirth. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

His smile widened. "Yeah, not surprised you're his favourite crownguard. I guess we'll just have to share." Then he turned back to his apple and took a big happy bite. When he glanced at her again, her eyes were still wide, her cheeks a pretty red. "What?"

"N-nothing, Your Highness," she said, turning away. Her hair fell over the side of her face a bit like a curtain. "I didn't realize that I was…" A glimpse of her throat as she swallowed. "Your favourite."

"Of course you are," Callum said. "That's why I requested you for the trip."

"Oh." Rayla coughed. "I thought it was Her Majesty's choice."

"I mean, my mom definitely approved, but she asked me if I had a first choice for who would come with me, and…" Hesitance crawled up the back of his neck, feeling like an itchy blush. "I hope you don't mind that I chose you—"

"No," she said quickly, and then more softly. "No, I don't mind. I'm… honoured, actually."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh good," he breathed in relief. "I'm just—I couldn't think of anyone else I'd be comfortable with, for so long, and… I guess I assumed you'd be okay with it, too?"

"You assumed correctly," she smiled.

"Though I should probably ask next time?"

Her brow furrowed. "Well, you are my prince," she said, and he wasn't sure why he liked the title when she said it like that.

"But you're also my friend. What you want matters too."

She glanced at her knees. "I'm glad you picked me to come with you," she admitted quietly. "I would have missed you otherwise."

Callum smiled, daring to touch his knee to hers, even if it was brief. "I would've missed you, too."

She cleared her throat. "We should probably get going again soon," she said. She stuffed the rest of her bread into the little paper sack and got up from their spot against the tree, walking back over to her horse and slipping it into her knapsack. "Let me know when you're ready."

He exhaled slowly in an effort to make the sinking feeling in his chest go away. "Right." He quickly finished his bread before pushing himself up onto his feet, crumpling up the wrapper in his hand. He tucked it into his coat pocket, this one longer but still blue, not unlike the one he'd given to Ezran.

So Rayla had trouble admitting they were friends, even Callum just grew more and more sure that they were. Alright. He could work with that.

They'd be spending at least the next two months together, not including the time he'd have to stay at the Sky Nexus while forging his connection, either.

How stubbornly or shyly standoffish could she be, really?

He'd chosen her.

The thought kept Rayla up that night, when they'd made camp in between towns. She'd let them away from the main road and pitched up two lightweight, Moonshadow modelled tents where they'd be safe and sheltered from the elements, although the night was quiet. Quiet enough for her to sit outside her tent instead and stare up at the stars. She needed to do something . She couldn't very well just go to sleep, now that her mind wouldn't stop racing.

I would've missed you, too.

Ugh. Why had she gone and said anything? And why had he been so… nice, about it? Prince Callum had always been kind, humble, and fairly down to earth, just like the rest of his family. She could correct him during his sword fighting lessons and his pride was never wounded. But he'd been friendly and earnest and asking questions, wanting to get to know her, it seemed like. That was harder to reconcile or to brush off.

Well, if I had to spend my last moments with someone. What had that been about? Rayla shook it off.

She had a job to do. She couldn't go getting fond of some soft-eyed prince who said sweet things on a whim. Even if they were… friends . Or at least, for some reason that she couldn't decipher, Prince Callum saw her as one. Then again, he also saw Soren as one, so maybe he wasn't the best judge of character… Not that Soren was malicious or even cruel; he wasn't. But he wasn't particularly supportive of the prince either, at least as far as she had seen. Although she'd never seen him be mean to Prince Ezran…

And he's not the one on this mission, came a tiny voice in her head. The prince picked you.

She shook it off, even if it clung a bit more stubbornly. Of course you are, Callum said, when speaking about his favourite crownguard. She let out a huff. Stupid racing thoughts, stupid racing heart when he'd sat so close.

This was going to be a long, long trip, wasn't it?