The palace oasis was tucked away in a rose garden, far from the peering eyes of palace workers. There was a small pool of water, built for cooling down on these insufferably hot days. “Nyla,” I called out to my sister as she resurfaced from under the water. “You know sometimes I question if you are the princess of the right kingdom.” My sister was constantly swimming in the dreaded thing. I never swam. I couldn’t stand the water. It seemed like fire’s one weakness and a constant reminder of our enemy, the Morwenians. Why would I purposely douse myself in it if I didn’t need to? I avoided
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