Lex's brow raised, and she held up a hand. "Let me finish," she insisted.
Nyssa straightened.
"I want to stay with you because you no longer need me," Lex said. "That’s a dangerous notion, and I want to see what you do with it. I trust you now to make those decisions based not on your childish need to prove yourself but on your love for our land and our people. I want to be by your side when you take this world just like your sister always said you would."
Lex reached for the sword on her belt.
Nyssa tried to keep her composure as the sword was pulled into the air, and then Lex dropped to one knee. Lex's head bowed, and she presented the great Belwark sword up to Nyssa in her palms.
Nyssa looked down her shoulder at the Second Sun, feeling her chin rise, the wind billowing her hair off her face. She remembered the Throne Room. The Belwarks on one knee. Swords displayed to Rhaif and Aydra as they took their oaths to protect them.
Nyssa inhaled deeply. "I have questions," she said.
"Remember them, Princess," Lex said knowingly.
"Do you choose me because you truly believe in me?" Nyssa asked.
Lex's eyes lifted to meet hers. "I do."
"Do you choose me because you believe in the freedom I can help bring to our people?" Nyssa asked. "Not just freedom from the strangers on our shores but also freedom from the tyranny and lies of our own kingdom we've so been squandered beneath for a century?"
"I do."
Nyssa shifted on her feet, and she turned so that she was straight in front of the Second Sun.
“Hilexi, will you follow me?" Nyssa asked firmly. "Will you stand at my side and fight for the freedom of our people? Will you run with me into battle, despite any stupidity you may think of my plans or actions? Will you support and trust me to do what’s best for our home?”
Nyssa watched the affirmation rise in the Belwark's eyes, lips pressing together, cheeks taut with the determination Lex wore as a resting face.
“Until this world takes us from each other, I will be by your side,” Lex swore. “And as far as your stupid plans, I live for them.” A small smile grew on her lips, and Nyssa’s chest softened. “They’re usually the most dangerous.”
She stared a moment at Lex. The setting sun behind her, amber hue glowing off her perfect porcelain cheeks.
"Stand with me, Second Sun," Nyssa completed.
Lex's gaze squinted. "What—no blood bond?"
Nyssa almost laughed. "You know I'm not as extravagant as my siblings," she smiled. "I don't need a blood bond to bind a person's loyalty to me, especially when I do not have a crown to tie it to. I'll not beg for anyone to stand. Follow me or don't. That's your choice."
Lex returned her smile, and Nyssa reached for her hand. She pulled her to her feet, and Lex hugged her tightly. Nyssa sighed when Lex kissed her forehead, and then her hands pressed to her cheeks.
"Your sister would be so angry and yet so proud of you," she told her.
Nyssa grinned. "So angry," she agreed. "Can you imagine?"
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
BY THE TIME the sun went down, Nyssa's nerves were returning. She and Lex had spent most of the afternoon walking along the beach, and then came back early to scarf down food before Lex went to help Nadir with setting things up for the meeting. Nyssa had offered to help, but Nadir asked her to wait at his home for him. She wasn't sure what he was up to, but she dressed and paced on his porch nonetheless.
Replaying the entire day. The entire week. The entire cycle. Allowing what she'd learned while she was at that camp to come back to her. She counted the lashings as they came down on her again and let that pain radiate through her bones. She remembered and acknowledged what she'd gone through, told her core she didn't need to squander this but rather recognize it.
Breathing in the smoke.
"Are you ready?" came Nadir's voice, and Nyssa hadn't heard him come to the house.
She took another deep breath and shook out her hands. "Ready."
Nadir held out his arm as she reached him, and he only gave her a small smile before leading her towards the tent. A confident energy rested between them, almost as though it were not Nyssa and Nadir walking to that tent.
