“They said you requested a special plate.” Amalee looked down at the plates in her hand. “And with the lack of fish, I’m guessing this one is yours.” She placed the plate of rosemary rice and beef in front of Audryn, and put the other in front of me.
I nodded. “Thank you.”
The three women spoke while I ate in silence, leaving Micah and the commander to socialize on the other side of me. I wasn’t in the mood for conversation. In fact, I would rather not have been there at all if I could help it. But with nearly our entire kingdom on the mountain, I had to stay until everyone had an opportunity to address me.
It took two hours to get through the attendees who had lined up. Remaining focused on the conversation was achallenge with Audryn next to me. She spoke easily to those who inquired about her stay. Her tone was casual, and her frost had melted by the time we made it to the end of the line. She hadn’t expressed a single grievance; instead, she’d gushed about her time in Kuroden.
Torches were extinguished, leaving only the glow from the candles strategically placed around the area. Two violinists filled the air with music, and I sank into my chair.
Large flapping wings beat across the sky, drawing my eyes up. Instinctively, I stood and unsheathed my sword. For a moment, I thought the witches from Oras might’ve finally held firm on their promised attack. But when a red searing flame lit up the sky, my mind finally made sense of the welcomed intruder.
Vek, with a ground-trembling shake, landed on the outskirts of the crowd. Not only was my mother on the beast, but Fisher sat behind her. He’d abandoned his guard’s uniform and instead selected an ensemble similar to my own. Rivale’s hue was only a distant memory for the older man.
“What the fuck?” Amalee’s voice was too loud for the quiet crowd.
Fisher descended and extended his arms upward to assist my mother’s dismount. The crowd bowed even though my mother wore no crown. It wasn’t respect given to someone currently reigning, but for the one who’d abdicated the throne for the good of her people.
“Good evening, Son,” my mother said as she passed. “Hello, Amalee.” She continued walking along the table to the next vacant chair. Fisher pulled out the seat and stood behind her. The commander sitting in the next chair over promptly vacated and gestured to the guard.
“Well, isn’t this a turn of events,” my sister breathed.
Not having the capacity to take on any other issues, I didn’t answer.
“Are you okay?” Audryn’s voice was low.
Ignoring whatever antics my mother was up to was one thing, but I couldn’t let the situation fester between Audryn and me any longer. “I’m sorry for earlier,” I said, turning to face her. “Not only for how I acted before we left, but when we arrived as well.”
“Did Micah tease you about your engagement ring as you did to me?” She joked. “If so, he deserved what he got.”
“Nope.” My eyes surveyed the crowd, not letting her lighthearted remark reach me. “I’m going to head home early though, I’m not in much of a celebratory mood. My sister will make sure you get back safely.”
“You’re not even going to offer me a dance?”
“I didn’t know that was an option.” I scanned her face. “Everyone will stare, and it might send a message.”
“Let them. And let it send a message.” The corners of her mouth lifted. She stood and extended her hand. “Colgrave Grant, may I have this dance?”
“If he doesn’t, I will,” Sky spouted from a few seats over.
Not wasting a single second, I took her hand and led her to a vacant area a few feet in front of our table. Murmurs spread through the crowd, but I refused to be distracted. In a quick motion, I pulled her into me and then flung her out, sending her skirts shifting. Pulling her back in, I dipped her low. Bubbling laughter spilled from her chest; it was the best sound to ever land upon my ears.
I pulled her up and held her close, breathing in her scent. My hand shifted against her back as we swayed. If I only had that moment, I would seal each second into memory.
“I’m sorry I haven’t made progress with the garden.” Her voice was nearly a whisper as the crowd remained silent. “I’m sure you must be dissapoin?—”
“You could never disappoint me,” I interrupted and cupped her face. A collective gasp sounded around us.
Her eyes darkened just before she tucked in close. Closing my eyes, I let my chin rest on top of her head and moved with every sweep of the bow against the strings. My arm pulled around her back, not wanting to allow even the smallest gap between our bodies.
“Take me home with you?” Her request verged on a plea.
I sent a message to Zalzre and less than a minute later he was clearing the crowd and landing in the center. Leading Audryn, I helped her get situated on top of the wyvern’s thick neck, and we were in the sky a breath later.
Landing in the street, we ran into the empty townhouse hand in hand. The moment the door closed, her lips were on mine and her tongue had swept into my mouth. I pulled her into my arms and moved to the stairs. Nearly tripping on the first step, I stumbled up the flight while we stayed connected.
“Are you sure about this?” I set her down and pulled back to read her expression.
“Sounds like you’re the one questioning this.” She withdrew, letting the back of her head thud against the door of her room.
