The moment the sun seeps through the window, I am out of bed and racing to find comfortable clothes to wear for my morning excursion. It is my hope to have everything in place before Ariabella is awake. My plan this morning is to reveal everything and pray she does not reject me.

Navigating the tunnels and passageways is new for me, but my father found an old map, which I have studied to its fullest extent. It takes me a few missed turns before I finally reach the secret door to Ariabella's room. I push it open as quietly as I can, but the hinges creak from years of lack of use. I peek through the opening I've just made and I can see Ariabella is standing behind the floor-length curtains covering the window.

"Psst."

I try my best to get her attention without waking her mother, who I can see is still sleeping in the second of the beds. Ariabella turns and looks around the room. She can sense a change though her gaze is on the real doorway that leads to the outer hallway.

"Psst, Ariabella," I say, and this time her gaze follows the sound of my voice.

She steps forward, cautiously.

"Hidden doorway," I whisper, smiling as I extend my hand to her. "I have much to say to you. Will you join me?"

She looks at my hand, then holds up the pouch.

"Answer me one question, first," she whispers back. "Did you leave this on the window?"

My smile remains.

"Yes, I did."

Ariabella exhales, as if holding her breath while waiting for my reply. She glances over her shoulder, and when she looks back at me, I extend my hand further toward her.

"How many female guests have you charmed into exploring secret passages?" Ariabella asks, placing her hand in mine–I gently squeeze her fingers.

"Only you," I reply, pulling her through the doorway and closing it behind us.

The passageway is narrow and dark. I can tell Ariabella is trusting me to find the way through the darkness. However, I want her to trust me more, and feel as comfortable as possible. I am sure she is drawing assumptions in her mind, but is still confused about everything I've said to her until now.

"I would light a torch," I say, "but we are not far from where I hope to bring you."

"And where is it you are taking me?" Ariabella asks, clasping her free hand around my upper arm.

"To the courtyard with all the Ariabella flowers."

Her grip on my arm tightens slightly, as if she senses something important is coming, but I keep my expression neutral, knowing that what I'm about to say could change everything.

"I wanted to show you this garden before you left," I say, bringing her hand close to my chest as we stop abruptly. The air between us is thick with unspoken words, but I continue, keeping my tone steady. "Of course, I know I will be seeing you again."

She tilts her head, searching the dim light for my eyes. "You're confident in that statement."

"I am," I reply, a slight smile playing on my lips. "I'm the prince, after all. I can make it happen."

"And you want to make this happen?" she asks, her voice soft but curious.

"More than you know."

Light pours in as I open the secret door to the garden, ivy spilling into view. I watch her blink, adjusting to the brightness.

"Before we frolic to our hearts' content," I say lightly, turning to face her, still holding her hand close to my chest. The moment feels heavy, but necessary.

I meet her eyes, my tone softening. "I need to know how you felt when the Lark didn't return," I say, searching her expression, hoping for honesty.

She stiffens, her voice barely a whisper. "How do you know about that?"

I keep my gaze on her, my heart pounding with the weight of what's to come. "Just tell me how you felt. I have things to say, but I need to know this first."

Without waiting for her response, I push back my hair, revealing the tattoo. Her eyes widen, shifting between our clasped hands and my face, a storm of emotions flickering across her features. I can sense her confusion, feel it in the way she hesitates, and for a moment, I wonder if I've asked too much.

"You've got your thinking face on," I murmur, my voice barely audible as I narrow my gaze, watching her closely.

"You've done nothing but confuse me more, Elias," she says, her frustration evident, but before she can finish, I lean in and kiss her.

The moment is electric, a rush of everything I've waited for, but as I pull back, I search her eyes again. "I waited a year to be able to do that," I whisper, my lips still tingling from the kiss. "Because how strange would it have been if a bird asked you for a kiss?"

Her gasp is soft, but filled with realization. "Little friend..."

All I can do is watch her, the way her eyes search mine, trying to make sense of it all. We're lying on the grass beneath an old tree, the shade offering some relief from the sun. I'm on my back, arms behind my head, and she's beside me, looking down, disbelief etched on her face. Her mind is racing, and I can see the questions forming before she even speaks.

"How?" she finally asks, her voice soft.

I can't help but chuckle at the simplicity of the question. "The only answer I have to offer is magic," I say, keeping my eyes closed as the warmth of the sun spreads across my skin. "It just happened."

She leans in, her curiosity piqued. "Then... tell me how you ended up near Vratha, at my stream, with a pearl. A pearl every day, for a year."

I open one eye and glance at her, then sit up, resting my hands on my knees. "I was running away," I admit, the memory still vivid. "My father and I had a disagreement—it doesn't matter now—but I had my Changing while I was in this very courtyard. As for the pearls, I found a patch of oysters in the sea. That is where I found the pearls I gave you."

I pause, shrugging slightly. "The only way to leave without anyone noticing was to fly out a window."

Her expression softens, the confusion slowly giving way to understanding.

"I had been flying for hours when I landed at the stream," I continue. "I was exhausted, ready to move on, when I saw you. You were watching the deer and her fawn, and I couldn't help but want to stay near you. You know the rest."

She's silent for a moment, digesting my words. Then, her curiosity takes over again. "How did you return to the palace every day?"

I grin, moving my hand to rest on top of hers. "That's the interesting part. I found a portal near the stream. It connects to one right here, in this courtyard."

Her eyebrows raise in disbelief. "A porta?"

"Again, magic is my only explanation," I say, grinning.

She looks down at our hands, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Well, I do believe in pixies," she whispers. "I'm convinced my future sister-in-law is one, though we only joke about it."

I chuckle at that. "And you were at the jeweler's to make a set of earrings as a wedding gift."

She nods. "Yes."

I tilt my head slightly. "And what about you? Would you ever want something made for yourself, with the pearls?"

Her smile falters for a moment, and she shakes her head. "Before this week, I'd have been too afraid to even bring five pearls anywhere."

I soften my tone. "I'll have a scribe write you a document of ownership. Show it to anyone, and they won't dare question you."

She pulls away slightly and turns to face me fully, her expression shifting to something more serious. "Why give me anything at all?" she asks, pulling out a small pouch from her sock. "I'm not anyone special. I live in the countryside, on a farm. And I don't have suitors knocking on my door."

I shift onto my knees and reach for the pouch, loosening the drawstrings and pouring the pearl into my palm. "You have one," I say, meeting her gaze. "You just didn't think a bird counted as a suitor."

Her face flushes, and she stammers, "But you're a prince! Not just any prince, the prince!"

I touch her cheek gently, letting my thumb brush her skin. "Ariabella, forget about titles for a moment. Imagine I'm not a prince. Imagine I'm just someone who wants to be near you because you make me feel alive."

Her mouth opens slightly, as if she wants to respond, but no words come out. I can see the wheels turning in her mind, but for once, she's at a loss for words.