Free Billow by Emma Raveling

hiding the moon. Cold winds swirled and the frothing water roiled with power.
    Shivering, I pulled my coat tighter around me.
    I'd come here frequently while Tristan was gone. Searching for a temporary break from things I couldn't escape.
    Occasionally, I'd relive certain moments. Like the memory of one stupid kiss. A kiss I'd completely blown out of proportion inside my addled brain because there was no way it could've affected me so much.
    That was a mistake .
    Those were his words, but they were now mine.
    Resolve strengthened in my chest. He'd been right and I'd make damned sure I didn't repeat it again.
    "I prefer the winter seas."
    At least I didn't jump.
    "Your Highness?" My eyes remained on the agitated tide.
    "The ocean comes alive during the cold months. It's different from the calm of the summer waters."
    He stood by my side. Awareness rose.
    "You've changed." Tristan's voice was so quiet, I almost didn't hear it.
    "That's what happens when time passes."
    I could do this. Be polite. Be cool.
    "Kendra."
    After all this time.
    The way he said my name still made me feel things I didn't want to feel. Need things I couldn't have.
    It made me weak. And that pissed me off.
    Steeling myself, I turned to look up at him. Wind whipped strands of hair against his cheek. Striking dark eyes gleamed, set in a face both noble and strong, refined and fierce.
    Dressed all in black and illuminated by the moonlight, his tall figure contained a power that matched the wildness of the waters.
    We hadn't stood this close in over half a year.
    A sudden urge to rub a strand of that silky hair between my fingers crashed through me.
    I clamped down hard on the impulse. "Things are different now, Your Highness."
    "Why are you calling me that?"
    I shrugged. "Can't call you gardinel anymore."
    And I'm not saying your name.
    The best thing to do was maintain distance. There'd be less chance for him to lodge some place inside me where I couldn't get him out.
    "You went to the hospital today. Did you speak to Daniel?"
    I nodded, oddly grateful for the steady tone. I didn't think I could handle his sympathy.
    "He showed me my mother's room. Told me how they treated her."
    In the quiet lull that followed, I realized if Tristan knew about my visit to the hospital, he probably knew why I needed to come here.
    It was too close. It was also unfair.
    I'd stayed out of his life. But obviously there was a certain gardinel-spy who was more than happy to tell Tristan everything going on in mine.
    "So Ewan told you about the hospital." Resentment seeped into my voice and I crossed my arms. "Does he tell you everything?"
    "He shared a few things he's concerned about."
    "Like what?" I met his gaze levelly.
    His brows furrowed. "You pursued an Aquidae alone in Lyondale."
    I made a mental note to drop-kick Ewan.
    "You've been having trouble sleeping."
    Make that a kick followed by an extended drive in my car.
    "And you've been using your magic a lot."
    A drive over the bumpiest mountain road I could find.
    "There was an Aquidae in the area, Your Highness." Good for me. That came out pretty polite. "And I'm the sondaleur . Magic strengthens me. The equation's clear."
    His eyes swept over my face and my heart jumped. I quickly turned aside.
    "And the recurring dream?"
    That was definitely something I didn't want to talk about. Fortunately, a Healer had taken care of the cut on my head a few hours ago.
    "Ewan exaggerated. I have a lot going on."
    Silence fell between us and I wondered if he'd call me on my bullshit.
    "Congratulations on making it into the elites," he said instead. "Julian trained you well."
    It sounded more like a question than a statement.
    Since he insisted on acting like an irritating ass most of the time, I never really thought of Julian as a trainer. More like someone I had to put up with to get what I wanted.
    But he'd pushed me hard and as a result, my skills had dramatically improved.
    "Yeah, he's good. He helped me a lot."
    He stiffened.