Citadel
The Two Princesses of Bamarre: My favourite Gail Carson Levine book. As it should be for everyone.
Disclaimer: I did once get an email from GCL! For… NaNoWriMo. Heheh.
Rhys stared at the sky, as if the sun and clouds would suddenly develop mouths and give him a long dissertation on Princess Addie's doings ever since he left. It drove him crazy to be trapped here, instead of travelling with his best, and probably only, friend.
That was a lie.
Rhys' stomach flipped familiarly as he thought of Addie. He knew that she wasn't just a friend, not to him. No matter how hard he tried to think of her only as King Lionel's daughter, an extension of his obligatory five-years' loyalty to his liege, he couldn't seem to make himself tack on the title of "Princess". It didn't fit such a sweet, timid girl, and he had resigned himself to referring to her in his mind as "his Addie."
A small shudder went up his spine as Rhys thought of how Orne would react if his teacher knew of his feelings. Come to think of Orne, it would be time to return to the citadel soon.
Peering over his shoulder to see if anyone was near, Rhys took out his wand and swirled it, beckoning a cloud to him. With one swish, Addie's features were captured, as radiant as he remembered them. Of course, when he tried the same for himself, it turned into something resembling a lumpy squash.
With an exasperated sigh, Rhys turned his attention to the cloud Addie. She was the one that mattered anyway.
A clear tone sounded, calling all sorcerers back to the citadel. Cloud Addie crumpled and sailed back into the sky, along with Cloud Rhys-Gourd. Rhys stepped quickly out of the courtyard, already plagued with thoughts and worries of where poor Addie might possibly be in danger.
Of course, my Addie probably won't need my help, he reminded himself with a surge of pride. She's stronger than she gives herself credit for.