Easing closer, he stroked my back. “What if the only way to fuse them is to love without fear? That’s what it’s always been about, hasn’t it? You loved me when no one else ever could, and you did so with your fearless heart.”
I snuggled into his shoulder, putting my arms around him. “If we need to fuse them with our fearless love, then that’s what we’ll do.”
Chapter 47
Lore
Ihoped we’d discover clues in the library.
“I'm sorry,” Valera said, her shoulders curling forward. “I don't have books about broken artifacts like what you're describing. But that phrase—where dragon tears fell into the sea, the tide remembers—reminds me of an old riddle.”
I lifted my brows, hope sparking.
“From a children's book that once belonged to Halendor Court. A gift from her librarian friend. You remember I mentioned her visiting? Well, my mother read it to me all the time.” She tapped her chin, frowning before her eyes cleared. “A crown once sank where flame had flown, two hearts beneath the waves alone. The tears they shed lit up the deep, and stirred the tide from deathless sleep. The sea still holds what time forgot. The tide remembers what they sought.”
It was all beginning to make sense, one bit at a time. Would we be able to piece together the clues before the curse dropped? I had to believe we would. We’d gotten farther than anyone else. The fates wouldn’t be that cruel.
I had to trust in our love. In the life we were fighting to build.
And that we’d one day hold our daughter.
We left the library. Dorion was supposed to arrive today, and I had some questions for him related to the Halendor riddle. But when we returned to our suite, he hadn’t arrived at the castle yet.
“His ship has been sighted, my king,” Lord Briscalar told us. “I’ll be happy to inform you the moment it reaches the pier.”
“Why don’t we go there and meet him?” Reyla said. “We can see how everyone’s doing in town, and quiz him before he’s set one foot on our land.” Her eyes sparkled with a hint of laughter. “I’m sure he’d enjoy that.”
“Excellent idea, wife.” I held out my hand, and one flit took us to the outskirts of the city.
Holding hands, we strode through the streets, amazed at all Lord Briscalar had accomplished while we were gone. Some buildings were still under construction, but many had either been repaired to the point I couldn’t tell they’d ever been damaged.
“Lord Briscalar deserves yet another title,” Reyla said, awe in her voice as she gazed around.
“He already holds the highest title other than king. Perhaps I should hand him my crown?” I was only half-teasing. Sometimes I wanted to board my ship with my bride and sail wherever the wind took us. Explore. Taste new foods and meet new people. Savor being together with none of the weight of ruling on our shoulders.
“Hold onto your crown.” Her sly smile rose. “I’m in love with all that makes up Evergorne’s king. I can’t see myself feeling the same for Briscalar.”
“Well, see, there’s this queen who also wears a crown.” Now I was teasing. “She sits on a throne next to the king. She can be a bit testy at times, but I do enjoy when sheflames.”
She poked my side. “You. Watch out or I’ll scorch you in a way you’re not expecting.”
“Flame away, pretty little bride,” I drawled. “I can withstand the burn.”
She wanted to take an adventure, and perhaps we would one day soon. She could wear the dragonfly pendant I’d given her, and we could stand at the front of the ship like we had during our journey here only with the full love in our hearts.
The streets of Evergorne buzzed with quiet activity. Everywhere I looked, I saw signs of healing, from new timber framing rebuilt shops, to fresh mortar between stones, the kind of bustle that spoke of hope rather than mere survival.
As we made our way toward the harbor, a boy was the first to spot us. He tugged on his mother’s apron and pointed.
“It’s them,” he whispered, though with the volume of a shout.
The woman glanced over, her eyes widening. She hurried to smooth her hair and wipe her palms on her apron before approaching, the boy of about six followed, peeking shyly at us from behind her back.
“My king, my queen,” the woman said breathlessly, giving us a curtsy that seemed more habit than formality. “I—I wanted to say thank you. For standing with us. For what you both did. We’re still here because you defended us and helped us after.”
“You’re welcome,” I said.
“We could do no less.” Reyla crouched, smiling at the boy who seemed fascinated by her. I couldn’t blame him. She fascinated me all the time. “What’s your name?”
