No sooner had the sun risen than Galfrid had summoned me to him and the Trial was to be performed, as was custom, at dusk.
“Report back to me,” he said, clearly worried.
I bowed, leaving Galfrid just as his Council began to file inside the chamber. Since his announcement, meeting after meeting had commenced. It was no small matter to lose a king who had been in power for centuries. Eirion had attempted to persuade Galfrid to wait, to ensure all was ready for a smooth transition. But the king insisted on speed, clearly anxious to go through the Gate before his wife returned home.
Running toward the courtyard, I did not stop to speak to anyone, even those who called my name. It was the last time we’d be separated, I decided. Doing so was too painful, by far.
He dismounted just as I ran down the marble steps of the palace’s front entrance. Without hesitating, I jumped into his arms, Terran catching me as my legs wrapped around his waist.
Kissing me for all to see, he stopped only when the whistles grew loud enough that they couldn’t be ignored.
“Quite a greeting from a normally reserved lady. I don’t believe I’ve seen you run before, if not in battle.”
He smelled like the land. Like Terran. Felt so solid against me. Being wrapped up in his arms was where I belonged.
“You have an effect on me,” I said, disengaging myself.
“Do I?” he taunted.
“Shall I take him, your majesty?”
“Aye, thank you,” Terran said to the stablehand. Giving him the reins, he followed me back into the palace.
“It’s set for tonight,” I began, telling him all that had transpired since he left. Terran appeared less surprised than I’d been, but his brow drew together at mention of Mev.
“Why not let the Trial decide?” he said, echoing the king’s words precisely.
“She refuses. Mev believes she will be humiliated and thought poorly of, for even attempting to participate. I even challenged her to a duel, one which she won easily, but Mev insisted I went easy on her, which I did not.”
“Can she win?”
“Aye. Her progression of skills is unlike anything I’ve even seen. Galfrid believes it is because she is destined to be the next Aetherian ruler, but Mev disagrees. She will not be persuaded.”
“And Kael?”
“Is useless.”
Terran stopped short. Remembering this was his brother, I amended. “He refuses to take a stance on the matter. Says it is Mev’s choice alone to make.”
“Hmm.” Terran clearly disagreed.
“The king asked me to speak with her again. Will you come with me?”
“I assumed that’s where we were headed.”
It was difficult not to grin from ear to ear. Terran was back, and I appreciated his unwavering support.
“I know you must want a bath and a meal?—”
“I want a few things more than you can imagine,” he said, “but a bath and a meal are not among them.”
“No,” I asked coyly. “Not even a little?”
“We can have this conversation, if you’d like, but do not expect me to care if we’re overheard.”
Even that, in Terran’s deep voice, drew attention.
Grinning, I turned a corner. “She is in her bedchamber. Or was the last time I left her.”
