“It’s really okay that I left the library in tatters?” I ask, thinking of the mounds of books that were left on each of the heights we made a home, “Morose isn’t upset?”
Clair laughs again and shakes her head, “the books she can deal with, but I think she’s more so pondering how she’s going to restructure everything around your Prince.”
Restructure everything? Around my Prince?
What does Keane have to do with anything?
“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but I’m not sure what you mean?”
“His summoning,” Clair replies with a note of awe in her voice, “you were barely on the twenty-eighth height when he arrived. Cal had to use each staircase to bring you down and it was becoming tedious.”
The confusion must be showing on my face because she looks back at me in question, her blue eyes searching mine.
“Forget me,” she suddenly smiles, waving her hand in the air, “Morose will be happy to spend the next few months re-organizing and cataloguing.”
My smile is hesitant. She’s now the second person that has asked me to brush off that portion of the story, the first being Keane himself.
“I have a large canteen of brown ale to give to Cal, as well as some of our tobacco from the Crystal Mountains,” she smiles and looks around. The full of our group is now present on the courtyard and saddling up, though we’re still missing Keane, Desmond and Lord Daniel.
“He’ll appreciate that greatly,” I smile in goodbye.
Clair reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze.
“Until next time, Alexis.”
“Until next time,” I nod as she walks away.
“Wait, Clair!”
The Princess turns around, her long red hair flowing against the wind.
“Do you really have Tarragons here? I was hoping to see one.”
Clair’s hand reaches instinctively for her belly, her eyes turning soft on mine.
“But you have, dear…”
I shake my head in confusion, watching the red flames on her arms move under her skin as she caresses her stomach. She’s looking down so lovingly at her belly, and in that moment I spot another set of flames, these just barely visible but weaving their way around her larger ones.
“Prince McQuoid,” I exhale in disbelief as Clair smiles wide with a nod. “Him and Morose, yes? Their family line? Is it a part of their summoning?”
Clair nods again as I shake my head in wonder.
“That explains his tattered pants and boots… and the lack of a shirt,” I add in small amusement.
The Princess gives a spirited laugh, “we have a tailor in Breccia who can weave clothing for him that is fireproof, but Rion insisted on flying to Red Falls so that left us with little time to pack. He’s lucky his riding pants have lasted so long as they have. They usually burst into flames when he transitions.”
My mouth drops.
The Princess laughs again and turns around, “next time, Alexis.”
I shake my head in awe as a small smile plays on my lips. Next time, indeed.
We ride through the town of Red Falls and follow along the gushing river, the snow-covered homes looking more familiar now as I take it all in for the last time.
Lord Daniel had decided to ride in the rear with me the moment we left. He quickly inquired into my health and looked genuinely concerned at the bruises marring the side of my face, even though I assured him all was well. He was also deeply curious about Stormfall, the baby beast deciding every now and then to make an appearance from under my hair before he jumped into the sky above and flew around our traveling group.
“He’ll be your companion, then?” Daniel asks, watching the Bird of Ash take off.
