But my heart races as more waves crash against the shore.
***
When we return to the castle, Lachlan pulls me to the council chambers where Agatha is waiting.
“Mina is going to meet with our newest arrivals to assess the food they ha’ brought with them and allocate land for more farming,” he addresses us both.
We are going to need a lot more food to feed everyone if Elowen’s recruitment keeps going this well.
Agatha pipes in, “I can assess our current food stores and begin a rationing schedule with her.”
“That’s good. I’d also like to have trusted guards stationed at the bay to vet the incoming citizens and receive their pledges, too.” I murmur.
My thoughts flit through the next couple of steps to ensure our success.
“Oh, and Lachlan, can you go with Evander to locate the new areas to establish as training grounds? We need them to begin training in units as soon as possible and assign leadership roles to the ones who show the most promise.”
Lachlan’s face breaks into a wide smile, and he nods. “Of course.”
Agatha looks between us, a smile lighting her face, before addressing Lachlan, “She was made for this role, wasn’t she?”
A deep, heated blush creeps up my cheeks at her remark, and I bite my lip, waiting for Lachlan’s response.
“She was,” he agrees.
His eyes glow as they land on my face. A gentle tug pulls on my heart, and I unknowingly take a step towards him. Agatha’s eyes widen in response, but Lachlan merely bows deeply before setting off to do his tasks.
The wood in the fireplace cracks loudly. The sound breaks me out of staring after him.
Agatha clears her throat. “Is there anything else you need, dearie?”
I ponder her request for a moment before quietly asking, “Did you know my mother well?”
“I did.” Agatha’s smile turns sad.
A lump forms in my throat at the thought of my mom. “Do you know why she left this place?”
She shakes her head and looks down at her booted feet. “Unfortunately, I do not. But if I ken your mother like I think I do, she dinna make the decision lightly, and it was probably based on her love for ye or your father.”
Her words dull the sharp edge of my grief.
“She would have been very proud of the queen you are becoming, Lena.”
29
GROWING PAINS
Gulls cry overhead and waves crash against the rocks. I open my eyes, looking out at the vast sea that stretches before us. This should be the perfect place to quiet my mind, as I usually am calmer near the sea.
But the whitecaps on the water mimic the turbulence swirling within me.
My thoughts continue to ebb and swell over the events of yesterday as I sit cross-legged under a cedar tree with Mina. Agatha’s words are still fighting to give me a small amount of peace over the frustrations I felt after going through a few of the books Marcus brought. Without magic, they’re useless, but there’s still more I need to go through.
“Breathe in through your nose,” Mina whispers as I hold my breath while my thoughts continue spiraling.
I work to inhale deeply through my nose, but I shift uncomfortably.
“Lena, are you okay?” Mina asks, her eyes still closed, but her lips are kicked up into a smile.
