77
Saying goodbye to Will was more difficult than Aidon had anticipated. He’d known, as they were trekking across this godsforsaken continent, that if they survived, something between them would be forever changed. But he hadn’t realized how integral to his life Will had become.
“You have to come to Rinnia this winter,” Aidon insisted as he hugged him on the docks. “Escape this bitter cold.”
The cold had eased. But Aidon’s Trahirian blood still felt the nip in the air. This wasnotsummer, no matter what the Talans wanted to claim.
“As long as you promise we don’t have to gamble, I’ll be there,” Will replied. “Though maybe I’ll start practicing. Get Mathias to give me lessons.”
Aidon clapped a conciliatory hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know if there are enough lessons in the world to help your skills.”
He laughed as Will shoved him away, the roll of his eyes fond. “Go back to Trahir.”
“Gladly,” Aidon jested with a bow. They both knew he was lying. The lingering wetness in his eyes was an obvious tell.
He wasn’t done crying either. He knew that as soon as he had Aya in his arms. Her hold on him was tight, her mint and evergreen scent filling his nose as he buried his face in her hair.
“I don’t want to go,” he mumbled childishly.
“Very un-kingly,” Aya teased as she pulled away, her eyes brighter than he’d seen in a long, long time. They softened as they held his gaze, her hands squeezing his arms as her tone shifted into something far more serious. “Your people are waiting to welcome you home. I’m sure of it.”
Aidon’s stomach fluttered anxiously at the thought. He’d felt relief at the way the Talans easily accepted their new Visya king, though Aya’s address from the ruins of the Wall had done its part in ensuring the smooth transition of power.
She seemed confident he would receive the same reception. Aidon sure hoped so. Aleissande had personally overseen the organization of getting the citizens who had come to fight back to Rinnia, as well as the bulk of their army. Now, all that remained was a small unit of soldiers and their parents.
They were already aboard the ship, waiting for him to finish his goodbyes.
Aidon scrubbed a hand across his tearstained face before tugging Aya in for one last hug. “If you needanything, you send word,” he instructed. “Even if it’s as silly as the recipe for that fried fish at the docks you like so much.”
Aya grinned as they broke apart once more. “I’ll get that myself when I visit. You didn’t think I’d let Will come wreak havoc without me, did you?”
She cupped his cheeks, her thumb brushing across the stubble there. “You are a true friend, Aidon.”
Aidon’s chin quivered.
One more hug surely wouldn’t do any harm.
He let out a hard breath as he pulled away, his shoulders rolling back. And then he turned for the gangway, where Josie, her own face stained with tears, was waiting. He followed hissister onto the ship, smiling as she ducked into Aleissande’s waiting arms.
Aidon turned toward the rail, his hand lifted in a wave farewell as the ship began to float away from the dock.
An arm slid around his waist, tugging him back against a body he’d be content to memorize the rest of his life.
“You do realize it’s not like you’ll never see them again,” Dauphine teased, her chin resting on his shoulder. But her hand was gentle as it slid into his and gave a reassuring squeeze.
“I should’ve let you go back to the Midlands,” Aidon joked. He turned in her hold, bringing her closer to him as his arms wound around her.
“Mm, you could’ve, but then who would be around to make sure your royal head stays humble?” she asked sweetly.
“Gods forbid you let me gain an ounce of confidence.”
Dauphine laughed as she pressed her lips to his. “You have plenty. Besides, you can do all of your confidence building when I leave to fetch my brother.”
Aidon smiled softly. Dauphine had written to Luc just after the battle, and he’d replied a week later. It seemed he was willing to make amends. Dauphine would travel to Rinnia to set up their new home before returning to the Midlands to accompany Luc across the Anath.
At least, shesaidthat’s why she was coming to Trahir first. Aidon had a feeling she was also doing it for him; because she knew lingering anxiety tightened in his chest when he thought of what might occur when he returned.
“Aster and I will use that time to bond,” Aidon said, his gaze moving to the wolf.
