“There is unrest, aye. But you must go. I can handle it.”
I had no doubt he, and my other men, could do just that. Many of the worst of my father’s sympathizers had been dealt with by now. There would be grumblings, especially after today, but more Gyorians wanted to openly trade with the other clans than were pure isolationists.
Considering how long it would take me to get to the coast, I did a quick calculation.
“Ready my mount and the smallest of contingencies you will allow,” I told Dren. I’d go alone, but he’d have my hide for it. “Ensure they are fast riders.”
“Right away,” Dren said, his back to me already as he sped from the throne room.
“Tell her I am coming.”
Dell nodded.
“And tell her…Voren vel’kora.”
He clearly did not know the meaning. But I did.
And this time, I meant it. Not for one evening. But for eternity.
I was not leaving Aethralis without her by my side.
Ever again.
37
LYRA
He would be here any moment.
Although the others were gathered in the Celestial Hall for a private meal—Nerys, Rowan, Issa, and Marek having arrived the day before—I could not wait for him there.
Our reunion would not be public. There was little chance I could restrain myself from embracing him, these weeks apart telling me more than even the days we were together.
I would live without him if I must, but if Terran willed it, I would prefer otherwise.
With him, I could be myself. He made me feel as no one ever had before him. I loved him, and he loved me, though we both recognized that might not be enough. Taking an Aetherian partner, while he attempted to convince his clan decades of strife between Gyoria and the other clans should now be reversed… it would be no small matter. Which is likely why he’d not suggested it.
But I’d not have Terran leave, once again, without at least discussing the possibility.
When the sound of hooves, not an unusual one in the palace courtyard, reached me, I knew it was him. There was something about the urgency behind their steady clapping… and just as I suspected, he appeared over the ridge.
Rising like one of Nerys’s great waves she summons, his form seemed to fill the entire landscape, Aethralis’s mountain and building peaks behind him not nearly as magnificent as the Gyorian warrior racing toward me.
There were few in the courtyard during mealtime, but enough to bear witness. Indeed, as Terran’s great mount skidded to a stop beside me, his companions began to appear, though in not as spectacular a fashion.
Dismounting with surprising nimbleness, Terran wasted little time in grabbing me—as was his custom—and pulling me toward him. There, with his contingency as witness, Terran kissed me with little reserve. His hand clamped down on the back of my neck, not that I’d planned on going anywhere. I wanted this kiss as much as him.
When he tore his lips from mine, his small smile disarmed any parts of me that remained reserved. I smiled back broadly.
“Welcome to Aethralis.”
“Do you welcome every honored guest in such a way?” he teased.
“Only Gyorian kings,” I teased back.
“Hmm. Then I will be certain to hold onto my title.”
“Your men are watching us,” I whispered.
