A look of mild panic overtook Addi.
Nev just nodded calmly. “I see. Well then… yes, I am the lost heiress. Or at least… we think I am,” she replied. Telling people the truth about her lineage may never feel easy or normal, but she already felt like she could trust Nellis. So, telling him was not difficult. Just odd.
“Well, how about that? A princess! Wyatt, my boy, you certainly know how to pick them,” Nellis congratulated, laughing and grinning at Wyatt.
“See sis, why can’t you be more supportive like dear old Nellis?” Wyatt nudged.
Addi grumbled to herself and put her head in her hands.
“So, my dear… taking the throne back will be no easy feat. If that is even your goal. Is that… what you want?” Nellis inquired, turning the conversation at the table back to the serious task at hand.
Addi and Wyatt both stared at Nev, awaiting her response. The siblings were a little shocked and impressed by Nellis’ directness.
Nev swallowed hard and took a deep breath before answering, “Honestly, I don’t know. Before meeting Wyatt and then Addi and now you, I never thought of anything beyond staying hidden and surviving. I knew who my mother was, but the throne always seemed like an impossibility. Now, I know my path is leading me to the palace. Yet, I still feel no desire to reclaim my birthright. I only want to stop being hunted and try to make things right. Or at least to make things better.”
Pausing, Nev smiled at Wyatt. “Beyond all that, I have the only thing I want already. So, no. Taking the throne is not my goal, but sometimes my fate seems to have its own plans. I’ll just have to hope that in the end, I get a choice,” concluded Nev.
Wyatt leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “If I have any say in it, you will always have a choice. More than one even,” he promised.
“Thank you,” Nev whispered before turning her gaze back to Nellis and Addi.
Nellis smiled warmly at Nev. “You, my dear, are full of surprises. Taking on a prowler, choosing love over power and getting my sweet lass to return after so long,” he noted, nudging Addi playfully as he spoke.
Addi felt her cheeks flush in response to Nellis’ gesture.
Observing Addi’s reaction, Nellis grinned. He had missed her terribly and was pleased to see her only blush at his flirtations instead of becoming angry or distant. However, before he could contemplate reigniting their relationship, there were more pressing matters that needed to be settled. “So lass, I’m guessing you have some plan for how to deal with this fate of yours?” he wagered.
“One that, hopefully, doesn’t overly endanger my brother?” Addi quickly added.
Nev nodded and took a deep breath. She felt Wyatt take her hand and squeeze it. In response, she flashed him a quick smile. “I do have a plan. At least, to deal with the prowler,” she stated quietly.
“Another prowler? I had always heard they were exceedingly rare. You must be special indeed to have drawn the attention of two,” Nellis contemplated.
“This isthe prowler. Sagrine. He is the one that took Addi to be tested, killed Nev’s father, and has been hunting Nev and now us,” Wyatt explained, his voice serious and full of concern.
“I see,” replied Nellis, listening intently.
“So, what is the plan?” Addi interjected.
“The last two times Wyatt and I encountered this prowler, it wasn’t by chance. He can always sense me a little, but it makes it easier for him when I use my amulet. Somehow,” Nev theorized, pulling the amulet out from under her shirt.
“I can amplify the amulet. When I do, it should make us an irresistible target,” Wyatt added, looking over at Nev.
“And what is the catch? I mean, besides him being a prowler,” Nellis asked, leaning closer to Nev and studying her amulet.
“He knows things about me and is stronger and more persistent. He also knows that Wyatt and I have a bond. He will use it against us. Add all of that up, and he is far more dangerous than your average prowler. Not that any of them are easy prey,” Nev concluded, her voice growing quiet. I am no one’s prey, she reminded herself.
“A bond? You mean beyond your feelings for each other?” asked Addi. She looked over at Wyatt with growing concern. Love and promises were already more of a connection than Addi was really comfortable with. Now there was something else… a bond. Wyatt had mentioned something when they looked for Nev, but she didn’t think it was as serious as he made it sound. Now, she found herself being consumed with worry.
“Yes, beyond that. I don’t know exactly how it happened, but we can sense when the other is hurt or scared. It was how I was able to track Nev when she left our house in Birclan. Well, that and Addi’s timely nudges,” Wyatt said, smiling at his sister.
“We can also use it to strengthen each other or calm the other’s nerves,” Nev added.
“I think that for Nev and I, it might have something to do with us both being Tinkerers,” pondered Wyatt.
Nellis raised an eyebrow at Nev. “You are also a Tink?” he questioned as he smiled.
Nev nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I suppose I am. My father was one, but I never thought of myself as one until I spent time around Wyatt. Remembering the truth about my father and knowing more of what I am, helps some things make better sense,” she concluded.
“The daughter of an empress and a Tink? Now that is a combination I don’t think has ever existed before. The rule of the land has always seen to that never happening. Perhaps someone was worried as to what a child like that would be capable
