It was their unwavering love that won the doubters over. How could they ever deny what the Statera bonded and all the ways the kingdom flourished when they were together?
They couldn’t. Each man has his own strengths, but together, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Leif slides in next to me and places an arm around my shoulders. “How did it go with your asshole for a parah?”
“Besides the Allaji trying to blow us up, I’d say it went all right,” I answer as we move into the palace.
“Did you get a chance to talk with him?”
“I did.”
“I hope he got down on his knees and begged for your forgiveness. And I hope you let him wallow in some extra grief before you came to any kind of resolution with him.”
We weave our way through the palace, and I don’t leave out any details about what happened between me and Kyron. As soon as I open the door to my quarters, Leif plops down on the sitting room couch with his feet crossed on top of the arm. The furnishings and design of the Lucent palace is a vast contrast to the gilded trimmings, rich colors, and hand-painted ceilings of Stigian. This palace breathes and allows sunlight to beam in. My personal space’s decor is peaceful, made up of cornflower blue, white, wildflowers, and birchwood. Sheer window coverings billow with the breeze flowing in through the open double doors. I forget the responsibilities of ruling a kingdom when I walk through the door. I could never forget as I laid in the gaudy bed in Stigian.
Leif shoves a decorative pillow under his head and watches me as I unpack. “Are you sure it’s a good idea for you to return to Basecamp with Kyron there? If you couldn’t control your urges in a hallway, how are you going to stay in control there? You’ll be utterly free to do what you want with almost no consequences.”
I look back at him over my shoulder and say, “I know. And that’s why I was thinking you should come with me.”
“But I don’t want to leave?—”
“Of course you don’t want to leave without Wel. I understand that. It’s a good thing you will need your personal guard, just like I do. Problem solved.”
He grunts his disapproval and says, “Wel and I are finally accustomed to living here. I don’t know if I want to pick up and go back.”
I toss the frilly dress in my hand on the floor and sit next to Leif’s hip. “Please,” I say, clasping my hands on his chest and batting my eyes. “I need an accountability partner, and who better than my future husband?”
“Don’t do that.” Leif turns his face to the back of the couch.
“Wouldn’t it be romantic to go back to the place where it all started for you and Wel?”
“You never had the pleasure of trying to mess around in those small beds. It’s a pain in the ass. We have a huge bed here.”
I grip his chin, forcing him to look at me. “What if I use my pull to get you an enormous bed?”
“How big?”
“Big enough to handle all your naughty escapades.”
He releases a long breath and slaps me on the thigh. “Sounds like we’re getting ourselves into the fun kind of trouble… again.”
I squeal and throw my arms around his neck. I couldn’t do this without him. Everything is more tolerable with him by my side, no matter how dreadful the task.
Ten
Igrip Nortus’ reins in my gloved hands and spur him into a gallop. My hair catches in the wind, expanding like eagle wings behind me. The rush of chilled air stings my cheeks, but it doesn’t stop a grin from spreading across my numb face as Basecamp’s gate comes into view.
The rooftop of the Hub hovers over all the other wooden buildings, illuminated by the rays of the setting sun. Whirls of gray smoke from the campfires carry the scent of burning sap and the murmurs of conversations. I can feel the buzz of camaraderie and the thrill of fighting for something bigger than one individual.
It feels like coming home for a second time.
I slow Nortus as I grow closer to the entrance, allowing the rest of my travel companions to catch up. Zek gives me an exasperated look, not at all thrilled by my excitement. I’ve spent the better part of the day regaling him with my favorite moments at Basecamp. At one point, he had to ask me to take a breath because I wouldn’t quit talking. Deep down I want him to love it as much as I do, but this is a far cry from the lavish life he leads as a royal guard. The life of a soldier without gourmet meals, soft beds, or an escape from the elements has zero appeal to him.
Leif and Wel casually ride behind us, lost in their own quiet conversation. Every so often, I’d catch their laughter ora playful quip. The relationship between them is so natural and simple. For them this is just another day and a return to the place that once was their home.
The soldiers guarding the entrance bow their heads and formally address me as Your Grace as we pass through. They’re not so formal with Leif and Wel, acknowledging them by their reinstated military ranks. It took little convincing for Micah and my father to agree that they should return with me. I’m sure it felt like the entire future of our kingdom was abandoning our royal post for a war, though neither could deny that the more watching over me, the better.
Micah and my father didn’t find it necessary to demote me to my status as a new soldier. They said it would be counterproductive. I’m here to lead and fight with these people as their future queen, and I’m to be treated as such. It didn’t thrill me that I’d hold a higher rank, but I also didn’t put up a fight. Most of the soldiers knew I was the princess before I left, and even during the battle that led to my father’s rescue, they didn’t treat me any differently. I wanted to return to the same treatment, but the days of hiding amongst their ranks are gone and so is the anonymity I found in this place.
