“I did what had to be done. You were willing to sacrifice yourself for everyone. I was willing to shoulder a portion of your pain.” She pinned me with a hard stare. “We protect our family.”
I dipped my head in acknowledgement of the sentiment.
Then it was my turn to say goodbye to Maz. We stood an arm-length apart on the dock, the sea lapping against the wood.
“Gods-damned strange,” he said with a rueful smile. “Leaving you here.”
I tried to tease him. “It’s been seven years. Surely you could use a break from me.”
“I never needed one, brother. But, Fucking Four, does it make my soul sing to see you so happy. To leave you in the home you always wanted.”
My eyes burned, and I took a deep breath. “I wish the same for you, Mazkull. That you’re able to lead a life that’s not so dangerous or lonely.”
“Ah, what’s life without a little danger?” He shrugged his massive shoulders. “I’m sure I’ll find some. But I sure as hell won’t be lonely because I never was. All these years... I was always with my family.”
I embraced him hard, slapping his back. “So was I.”
He thumped my back as well, and we pulled apart, swiping at our eyes.
Maz cleared his throat. “I expect the finest room in the palace when I return.”
I grinned. “And flagons of fresh Sunshine delivered every morning.”
He roared with laughter. “See you soon, brother.”
He walked up the gangplank, followed by his sisters. They waved from the deck as Skelly shoved off into the starry night.
Kiera slipped her hand in mine and continued to wave until the ship was out of sight. “It’s not goodbye,” she whispered, almost as if reassuring herself. “We’ll see them again. Many times.”
I kissed the top of her head. “Whenever you wish. We never really say goodbye to the ones we love. If our eyes don’t meet, our souls will.”
She looked up at me, hope warming her amber eyes. “I’m so glad I’ll never have to say goodbye to you.”
I smiled. “And I you.”
We kissed under the stars to the tune of the waves, and I felt it for the first time in my life, just as Maz said.
I was finally home.
Chapter 69
Kiera
Wearing a royal gown,no matter how beautiful, was still a pain.
“You’ll get sweat stains on the silk if you keep pacing,” Melaena reminded me for the second time as she lounged on my bed, eating grapes.
I huffed and made to throw myself in a chair before remembering to sit carefully. Wrinkles were almost as bad as sweat stains.
“The wedding is in one hour,” I said. “Delysia will never forgive me if she misses it.”
Melaena shrugged one bare shoulder. Her strapless turquoise dress hugged her body like water. “Then we’ll dawdle as best we can. The kingdom will wait for its queen.”
“I’m not sure its king will,” I grumbled, but I couldn’t stop my smile.
King. Queen. Holy Four, this is really happening.
Melaena giggled. “Probably not. Aiden will storm the palace and carry you to the Temple if we don’t show on time.”
