“This year has gone by too quickly,” I cried. “It’s going to be so hard to say goodbye.”
“I know it has,” she said gently while squeezing me tight. Mother herself knew what it was like, leaving the one you loved. Except the love of her life was across the continent, not in the same kingdom. I didn’t know which was worse.
She’d been trying to prepare me for this day for the past few weeks, but she knew nothing she could say would soften the blow.
A knocking sound brought me back to the present, and I knew it was him at our front door. Mother squeezed me once more before releasing me, and I wiped my eyes before unlocking the door for Silas, his expression matching mine. The sun started rising behind him, the light spilling from the horizon.
“Hi, Lena,” he greeted softly, kissing my cheek. He looked over to Mother. “Good morning, Minerva.”
She returned the hello with a warm smile and fetched the bag containing today’s deliveries. Mother had grown close to Silas over the last year as well. There had been times when we showed him how to cook, and I found him particularly cute as he assisted with excitement. The Crown Prince had never cooked for himself or fooled around in the kitchen. I treasured how he found delight in the little things.
There were even some mornings when we ate breakfast together, Mother deciding to open the stand later so we could all enjoy each other’s company.
She stepped over to him. “It was our pleasure having you in our home and our lives,” she spoke with a cheerless smile. I know Mother was biting back tears as well. She then glanced at me. “I have never seen Lena so happy before…not until she met you.”
“I didn't know joy until I met Lena,” he replied, the corners of his lips turning up as he looked at me. My face crumpled.
“Really,” she said as she turned her attention back to him and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, “I care for you like a son. I’m going to miss having you here.”
He blushed at her words. “I hope to find a way to stick around,” he said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
She drew him in, hugged him tight, and said her goodbyes before leaving.
A feeling of dread overcame me, and when Silas met my gaze again, I tried and failed to keep my composure. My hand flew over my mouth, and I squeezed my eyes tightly, the tears rushing out without my control.
“Flower,” he whispered, rushing to me and pulling me into an embrace. “Please, please don’t cry.”
“I’m…” I choked out. “I am going to miss you so much, Silas.” My fists scrunched the fabric of his cream tunic. “Damn you for being so loveable,” I cried and laughed at the same time.
“Lena…” he pulled away and rested his forehead on mine. “I am not going anywhere.” He brushed away my tears with his thumb. “I told you I would devise a plan for us, and I have.”
My brows knitted together, and I pulled away just enough to see his face entirely. “What are you talking about?” My voice shook. “You’ll be recognized. Thereisno way.”
“There would’ve always been a way. I’ve told you before that nothing can keep me from you.” He kissed my lips softly.
“How?” I breathed against his lips. “Do not torment me with false hope.”
He retreated slightly and brushed my hair behind my ear. “I already talked to my mother about it. If we still meet at the same time, it will be safe for you to sneak to see me—take the same path as I normally do. She already ensures the guards are elsewhere for me, so the only change would be you going down the path instead.”
I thought it over. Not only was the Queen’s blessing of the plan comforting, but I also had an invisibility elixir I could use. While it failed me the last time I used it, the past year has been spent improving my ability to enchant—I was confident in its power now.
I also had Torrin on my side too.
This…could work.
“I am not sure why I didn’t think of it sooner,” he continued. “Probably because I loved getting out of the castle so badly,” he said with a shy smile, then kissed my cheek. “I figured I would leave at 9:00 today and show you the path. I know you have seen part of it before, but you’ll need to know how to get to my room.”
“That gives us less than three hours together…”
His right hand slid into my hair. “It isn’t the last time,” he whispered. “I promise you.”
We spent the remaining time together making love, lying together, and discussing the future. The idea of sneaking into the castle frightened me, and while the Queen may be on our side, the King certainly would not be.
“What if your father discovers our little tryst?” I asked Silas as we made our way up to the Inner Ring.
“My mother would have our back,” he assured me, though the look on his face gave a little uncertainty. “So long as our path remains clear on Thursday mornings, I don’t see how he will find out. Besides, he has more important things on his mind.”
I was silent for a moment as we weaved through the Inner Ring citizens who walked the streets. “What important things are those?”
