“You’re pretty,” she declares, and I can’t help the tear that slips down my cheek.
“So are you,” I manage to whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “I’m happy to meet you. What’s your name?”
“My name is Suzette. What’s yours?”
“Suzette is a beautiful name,” I murmur. “My name is E—” I choke back the word and swallow hard. “My name is Skylar.”
Suzette punches her brother and bounces on her toes while pointing at me. “Did you hear that? I met her! I really did! That’s the Queen's name!”
“I know, dummy,” he whisper-hisses. “I can hear!”
“I’m so sorry,” the mother says with an embarrassed smile.
I smile back, wiping the tears from my cheeks as I stand. “It’s no problem at all. Really.”
The boy, emboldened by his sister’s bravery, steps forward too, but his eyes are locked on Hunter.
“Is he someone special?” he asks, his voice full of awe.
I glance over at Hunter, who’s watching the scene with an amused smile despite the cane he’s leaning heavily on. His eyes are so full of awe, so full of love; my breath catches.
After everything we’ve been through—a childhood filled with ugliness and pain, I never thought we’d end up here. Not in an underground compound. Not with miles of the unknown stretched out before us.
But here: whole, safe, together,in love.
Deep, desperate, forever love.
“He’s someone incredibly special,” I whisper. “He protects the queen. Defends her. Cares for her.”
From the very beginning, Hunter has done everything he can to protect me. He stood between me and my monsters long before I knew they existed. He climbed on a table and took punishments for me. Dove in front of a bullet for me.
He’s my warrior. My shield. My knight.
As if sensing my unspoken words, his throat bobs and his eyes cloud over. We stare at each other for a long moment that’s charged with intense emotions that I struggle to name.
When I can finally breathe again, I turn back to the boy and whisper through tears, “Would you like to meet a real-life knight? He has a sword and everything.”
The boy’s eyes widen, and he nods eagerly, practically bouncing with excitement. I motion for Hunter to come closer, and he obliges, crouching down with a wince to meet the boy at eye level.
“Hello there,” he murmurs, his voice gentle. “I’m Hunter. And yes, I do have a sword.”
The boy’s eyes nearly pop out of his head. “Can I see it?” he asks, his voice breathless.
Hunter chuckles softly, shaking his head. “Not today, little man. But maybe someday, okay? I’ve got important business with the Queen to attend to.”
The boy nods, his eyes still wide with wonder. “Okay,” he agrees, and I can see the wheels turning in his head, probably imagining all sorts of heroic tales involving knights and queens.
The mother finally manages to corral her kids, gently guiding them back to her side. She gives me an apologetic smile, but there’s warmth in her eyes.
“Thank you,” she says softly. “They’ve been talking about you non-stop since they heard…well, since they heard you were back.”
I swallow hard, the weight of her words settling over me like a heavy cloak.
Am I back? I didn’t even know this place existed a week ago.
“It’s okay,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’m glad I got to meet them.”
The woman blushes again, ducking her head as she murmurs a quick goodbye and starts to lead her children away. The little girl waves at me as they go, and I wave back, my heart aching with a mix of emotions I can barely understand.
