"Your father wanted a son who wouldn't embarrass him. A son he could pass the throne to without hesitation or regret. But unfortunately, you didn't live up to the challenge."
"But with father's passing?—"
"It's already been decided, Cael. You're not ready for the throne. Zyranth needs a leader with a strong moral compass, not a fledgling child too selfish to do the right thing."
"I'm not?—"
"The Council of Elders have voted. Until you show enough maturity to reign as king, I will oversee the kingdom as regent. Once I'm convinced you have grown in wisdom and stature, we'll speak with the Council."
"You can't do that."
"I can. And I have. You'll do well to learn your place, nephew. In the meantime, you're to remain confined to the palace where I can keep my eye on you. But don't worry about not having enough to do. I have plans for you. Chief Elder Xandar has offered his daughter to be bonded with you, knowing she will someday assume the role as Queen of Zyranth. She's due to arrive in three days' time. By then, I expect you to know everything there is to know about her and make her all too willing to become your lifemate. You will not fail me in this matter. Do you understand?"
His uncle hadn't even waited for an answer. He just walked away, expecting Cael's complete obedience. He'd stolen Cael's throne. Removed his security. And arranged his marriage.
Cael didn't know exactly what his uncle was really planning for him. Was he planning to assassinate him? Send him off to the far side of the planet? Or simply keep him prisoner in the palace and remain regent forever? Cael didn't know, but he didn't intend to stay there and find out. First, he'd find Baelor. Then, he'd find answers.
But it hadn't worked out as neatly as all that. He still hadn't found Baelor, but he had found purpose. He'd also learned his uncle had become involved with Lordy Krissayr and the slave trade. Surely the Council of Elders would want to know about that.
First, he'd do everything in his power to help Midori. And afterward, when she was safely home and he was no longer part of her life, he'd take the pain of saying goodbye and use it to give him focus.
Because after saying goodbye to her, his heart would never be the same.
TEN
The cavern was full of diamonds. At least, that's what it looked like when Midori awoke the next morning. Sunlight streamed through the opening in the ceiling, hit the cave wall, and was refracted into millions of tiny rays bouncing off of the glittering walls. It was incredibly beautiful. And incredibly bright.
That's how enough light makes its way inside the cave to grow fruit. Amazing!
Both Pugly and Cael were still snoring away, and she peeled herself from between Cael's arms and Pugly's warm back snuggled up against her. She could have laid there longer, dozing and enjoying the warmth, if it wasn't for her bladder insisting she take care of her bodily needs sooner rather than later. The trio had designated a spot to relieve themselves down the slope, where the hot spring streamed out of the cave. The slope of the cave gave a little privacy, and the stream washed away their waste.
As the water rushed by, Midori took extra precaution not to slip on the mossy rocks. The stream wasn't wide, but it was deeper than it looked. The current grew stronger and faster as itsnaked down the slope and exited the grotto through the tunnel into the cave wall.
Finished taking care of her needs, she climbed back up to their little nest and chuckled when she saw Cael and Pugly snuggling together in their sleep. Her chest tightened at the sight of them. She'd grown fond of them both. It made her ache to think of a future without them.
Don't go getting ahead of yourself. We've got to get out of this place first.
It was a beautiful chamber they'd found themselves in with the water, the warmth, and now the sunlight streaming through the hole in the ceiling. Midori stepped closer and stood beneath it and studied the opening. It was only thirty feet up the wall and seemed large enough to fit through. If she could climb up there, she could scurry through and see if they could get down the mountain. Cael had mentioned he knew where they were because of the fruit growing in the cave, and he believed there was a small city at the base of the mountains. They just had to get down there.
Midori plucked another delicious fruit from its vine and studied the cave walls as she peeled and ate it. She wasn't the outdoorsy type and had done no serious climbing in her life. She didn't count the one time at a climbing gym with her ex-fiancé. That one experience had left her arms and legs aching, and she hadn't gotten very far up the wall before calling it quits. But maybe with the help of the vines. . .
She discarded the peel on the cave floor, dried her sweaty hands on her leggings as best she could, grabbed a sturdy-looking vine, and attempted to pull herself up. She found a place to land her foot where two vines twisted together and pushed herself upward. This wasn't as difficult as she'd expected. Within a few minutes, she was well on her way.
I can do this. Just keep looking up?—
"What are you doing?" Cael boomed from below. It wasn't difficult to hear the worry in his voice.
Midori looked down over her shoulder and gave him the most confident smile she could muster, though her muscles were burning with the effort of holding on. Pugly was standing next to Cael, his four eyes and mouth open wide.
"I'm just going to look out of the hole and see where we—ah!"
The vine fell from the cave wall, taking chunks of rock with it. Where it had been taut a moment ago, the vine was now pulling free, and Midori was falling through the air, still holding onto it. Pugly's high-pitched squeal of terror accompanied her descent.
"Oof!"
Air rushed from her lungs as she landed in Cael's arms. She must have been higher than she thought. She choked back the tears stinging her eyes and took a deep breath.
"What were you thinking?" Cael's voice held anger but was edged with a quiver of fear.
