Max said, “Rise, I wanted tae say a few words.”
The men straightened.
Max said, “This is Her Royal Highness, Alexandria, the rightful princess of Riaghalbane. I am Maximillian, the rightful prince, soon tae be yer king, God willing. It has been a decade since our father, the Great King Nor, died fightin’ this evil. A decade since our mother, Queen Livvy died hiding us. Our people scattered. Our kingdom was usurped. But today, we turn the tide.”
He glanced at me, and then Torin. “Hae I introduced Torin tae ye, he is my brother, husband tae Princess Alexandria? He will ride intae battle with us…”
Torin nodded his head.
Max continued, “Today we ride, men, for the ones we love. For the ones we lost. For the future we refuse tae surrender.”
He drew his sword and raised it toward the sky.
“Ride with me, yer rightful king! Ride with courage! With fire in yer veins! We will fight with steel and fury! And if we fall today, we fall as brothers — but if we win, we win a kingdom!”
Ryan stepped up and yelled, “Men of Riaghalbane — we ride!”
Voices all joined together, shouting, “To win the kingdom!!”
And the cheers were deafening.
“Long Live Princess Alexandria!! Long Live Prince Maximillian!!” Repeated, it took a lot of fortitude not to wince or put my hands up over my ears, but this was my one job, be strong, a symbol of the cause.
Then it was done,the crowd began to disperse and the soldiers who were going on this mission gathered together along with the uncles, and Max and Torin. Preparing to go.
The Uncles cameone by one to say goodbye.
It was overwhelming to see the emotion in their faces and yet, I had only just met them, hours before. Uncle Ryan said, “I will see you on the other side, niece. Ask your Aunt Claray if you need anything.”
“I will.”
Max smiled, “I hae said m’goodbyes already.”
“Me too.” I hugged him.
Then he walked over to his men and then it was Torin’s turn to approach. He planted his feet in front of me and took my chin in his hand. He raised my mouth up and kissed it, a sweet press, wanting more, but…
“Ye ken what I am going tae say?”
“Mount up?”
“Nae, that I love ye, and I will see ye on the other side, mo leannan.”
“I will see you on the other side.”
He didn’t kiss me again, instead he brushed a bit of my hair back from my cheek and his eyes lingered on that place, where his fingertips brushed my skin. As if he were memorizing it.
Then his eyes met mine and he nodded.
Overcome.
Then he walked away.
I called after him, “Torin!”
He turned around, still walking but backwards now. “Aye?”
“I love you too.”
