Prince Sam paused, then said, "You have to go around."
"What? I don't understand," I said.
"I mean the whole kingdom. You must walk all the way around. And if you wander off, you'll have to start again."
"What's wrong? Our kingdom is so big, and you're telling me to go around?" I snapped.
Sam was quiet for a moment, then added, "And no one will help you. If anyone tries, they'll be killed." He took a deep breath and said, "There — I've said it."
Relief and fury tangled inside me. I cursed him silently, but a new worry rose. How could I possibly travel the whole kingdom when I barely knew it? I tried to steady myself with a small, defiant smile—there was no way they could truly control me. Sam only smiled back. "Don't worry about that. Two of my soldiers will accompany you. You leave now."
"What? Right now! I haven't slept or eaten." My voice trembled with anger.
"No. You leave now," Phils said, his tone final.
I had no power to refuse. I had made a mistake and now I would have to bear its consequences. I ran, following the soldiers on horseback as they set the pace. My legs burned and my breath came in ragged pulls, but quitting wasn't an option. Prince Sam fell into step beside me.
"So how does it feel to have made a mistake?" he asked, with a curious tilt.
"And you look tired," prince Sam said calmly.
"Then forgive me now," I'm trying to sound innocent.
"No. I'm a prince," he said. "What will people think if a prince breaks his word?" My question slipped out, "By the way, is Prince Phils your brother?"
Sam laughed. "No. Phils isn't a prince by birth. Anyone who holds powers is called a prince here. Phils is our army's commander — he protects the kingdom."
I glared at Sam. "Why are you staring at me like that?" prince said.
"How are you even surviving in this kingdom?" I said with sharp eyes.
I could barely walk. then prince Sam said, "It's okay. Just sit and take a breath."
For a moment, his tenderness made me believe him. I sat, inhaled, and let the warmth of a calm breath spread through me—but the memory of his earlier orders pricked at me. I recognized the trick in his softness. At that moment Phils arrived, his cloak fluttering in the wind, hair impossibly composed.
"Start all over from the beginning," Phils said with calmness.
Days blurred. I ran until the sun sank, changing soldiers when they needed food and rest. They regarded me like someone endlessly hale—never tired, never broken. "I've discovered a new species," I thought bitterly. I was tired of playing the fool I hadn't meant to be. Still I kept moving.
Finally the palace rose before me. My legs trembled as I climbed the stairs. I burst into Sam's room. "That fool can't even see how long I've been running!" I yelled into the empty space. I searched everywhere—there was no one. Defeated, I collapsed to the floor.
Sam appeared without a sound, leaned down, and kissed my head. "I forgive you. Now rest," he murmured.
The kiss was small, but it felt like payment for everything I'd endured. Sleep came heavy and immediate. Sam lifted me gently and carried me to a bed. Phils watched, a soft, amused smile on his face.
"Why did you push this innocent girl so far?" Phils asked lightly.
"You told me to give this punishment," Sam replied.
"Now stay quiet," Phils said, then casually asked, "By the way, where is Jack?"
"Training. He won't be back until his training is finished," Sam answered.
"Has Jack gained any powers yet?" Phils pressed.
"No. I don't think he ever will. He only seeks to tarnish our family name," Sam said.
"If that's true, we should kill him," Phils said, and then laughed. "I was joking. You said the same thing, so I was only teasing."