He was dragged out by two guards, his hands bound behind his back, his pale eyes fixed on the ground. He didn’t look up as they marched him past.
Good. I hoped he enjoyed the view of his own feet on his way to whatever dungeon they were taking him to.
And right behind him came Vix. She was still unconscious, or pretending to be, her hair matted with dirt. The guards carrying her weren’t gentle about it. Even better.
The King and Queen emerged last.
They were in human form now, dressed hastily, but still radiating authority. The kind of authority that made you stand up straighter without thinking about it. Elspeth’s eyes foundme immediately, and she crossed to me with quick, purposeful steps.
“Thank you,” she said, taking my hands in hers. “Thessa told us about the papers you found. About what your parents discovered, what they died for.” Her voice cracked slightly. “We are grateful. And in your debt.”
I swallowed hard. “My family died for people they believed in. For people they were loyal to. That’s not your fault.”
“It feels like it is.”
“It isn’t.” I squeezed her hands. “I’m just glad you finally caught them. That justice will be served.”
One tear slipped down Elspeth’s cheek. She wiped it away quickly, composing herself, but the grief was visible. She’d lost a friend twenty-one years ago. Now she knew why.
The King approached, clapping a hand on Caelan’s shoulder before turning to me.
“You should know,” he said, his deep voice carrying, “that my son rejected you because your life was threatened. They used the poison as leverage. He had no choice.”
“I know that now,” I replied quietly.
The King nodded, and there was approval in his eyes. Then he turned to Caelan.
“I want to schedule the coronation as soon as possible. We need stability after this. The realm needs to see strength.”
Caelan’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. “Agreed.”
The King and Queen exchanged a look, then both glanced between Caelan and me. There was expectation in their expressions, along with hope and curiosity. I didn’t know what to make of it.
Thessa appeared at my side.
“Well,” she said brightly, “we’ll get going. There’s a horse for you two.” She jerked her head toward a pair of mounts waiting nearby. “Go to the cabin. You have things to talk about.”
God bless her. Best almost-sister-in-law ever.
So we rode.
Caelan guided the horse, me pressed against his back, my arms wrapped around his waist out of necessity. It was the closest we’d been since the battle, and despite everything - the hurt, the confusion, the unresolved issues between us - my body relaxed into his warmth.
I hated how natural it felt. Stupid traitorous body.
Luckily, he knew the way. The forest blurred past us, snow crunching under the horse’s hooves, the winter air biting at my cheeks. Neither of us spoke. There was too much to say to start with small talk.
Hours passed.
By the time we arrived at the cabin, I was exhausted. Bone-deep, soul-crushing exhaustion that made my legs wobble whenI dismounted. Caelan steadied me, his hand warm on my elbow, and I let him.
The cabin looked different in the fading light. Smaller, somehow. More intimate.
We tied the horse in a small stable I hadn’t noticed before, oddly well-maintained, stocked with hay. Probably Thessa’s doing. We entered the cabin, the familiar scent of dust and old memories washing over me.
“We need to talk,” I said, breaking the silence for the first time in hours. “But I really, really need to shower and sleep first. Can we talk in the morning?”
Caelan nodded. “Of course.”
