“I am taken aback as well,” she said. “And my people will be sorely disappointed.” She looked at Lief, who remained still. What would happen to him if he couldn’t go back to the coldlands? She couldn’t let him live a life of disgrace.
“You have brought me shame this day.” The king spat at Lief’s feet, and Aerity felt her heart whither in sadness. “You are no nephew of mine.”
Lief shut his eyes, the weight of what he’d done crashing down. Aerity’s mind whirled, searching for a way to right this.
“I feel as if I must give my people something,” she said. “Regardless of his choice today, the citizens of Lochlanach esteem Lief as a hero.”
“You owe him nothing after this,” the king assured her.
“Oh, but I do. He killed the beast, Your Majesty. And he has gone above and beyond to free us from the enemy every step of the way since that hunt. He has been a friend of Lochlanach, and therefore I wish to honor him, husband or not. My southern lands are currently without a duke. It is a lesser title, but he should be glad to wear any title at all after refusing to be our prince consort.” She looked at Lief. “As of today, you are Duke Lief Alvi of southern Lochlanach.”
He lowered his chin stiffly in response.
“Gather your belongings and leave us,” Aerity said. She motioned to Harrison. “See him out, Lieutenant.” They exited together, and Aerity caught the gaping faces of Wyneth and Vixie. She had to cough lightly into her hand.
“You show him far too much grace,” King Dagur said.
Aerity turned to him, a tremor running through her. “It is done. You may remain in my home as long as you desire.”
“I can see you are upset, Your Majesty. I assure you, I would never wish to slight you.”
“I told you this morning that I owe you a great debt for your help in this war, and I meant it. Whether or not I am wed to your nephew does not change that. I hold you and your people in the highest regard and I hope for a future of shared prosperity with Ascomanni.”
He exhaled and bowed his head to her. “I thank you.”
She curtsied and then they took hands to say good-bye. His face was still strained with distress when he left them, followed by his officers. Aerity motioned for her guards to leave them. The moment the door closed, Wyneth and Vixie flew out of their seats and ran, plowing into her. Together, the three of them held tight, murmuring as quietly as possible.
“Did that really happen?” Aerity whispered. Her skin felt ready to explode from the inside.
“Aye, that Lief,” Wyneth said with a shake of her head. “I think our Lochlan ways may have rubbed off on him after all.”
“I worry for him,” Aerity murmured.
“He is in pain,” Wyneth said. “But I don’t believe this was a spontaneous decision. In time he will thrive here. He is already revered.”
Vixie took her hand. “Be at peace, Aer. Think of what this means for you.”
Queen Aerity felt a heady rush of jubilance. “I’ve got to tell Paxton!”
“Go, go!” Vixie shoved her, and clasped her hands beneath her chin. Wyneth beamed beside her.
Aerity sprinted to the door and then stopped to calm herself. She ran a hand over her hair and down her gown, then put on a serious face and opened the door.
Nothing had the potential to make Vixie cry torrents more than joy. She knew it was not going to be pretty, so she slipped into the nearest quiet room she could find, the library. Vixie flounced into an oversized chair and let the wailing commence. Not all was happy and well—her parents would never be back and so many had died—but her sister was going to have true love now. It was so beautiful, it hurt.
She was not at all fit for company when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Vixie jumped to her feet and sniffled loudly, wiping her nose with the back of her hand, and then her eyes. Tiern stood there.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t want to disturb you, but I came to check on you and found you crying. I couldn’t not say something.”
His rambling was adorable, but her cheeks still flamed with embarrassment.
“It’s all right. I’m actually happy.”
He tilted his head. “You were sobbing uncontrollably because you’re happy?”
She sighed. “Well, aye, you see, because—”
“I present,” said a booming voice from the library entrance, “Prince Hanriil of—”
“She knows who I am.” Prince Hanriil grinned at her, flanked by a handful of soldiers as he swept into the room. His smile fell. “Have you been crying, Princess?”
Oh, for the love of the seas!
“Nay. I mean, aye, but I am fine. I promise. Just overwhelmed, I suppose.”
The prince looked at Tiern now, with a touch of annoyance in his features. “Please leave us. I wish to speak to the princess alone.”
Vixie and Tiern both went still. And then Tiern nodded his head.
“Aye, Your Highness.”
Tiern then turned to Vixie and quickly leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a chaste, albeit intimate way. Then he gave her a quick grin and turned, bowing to the stunned prince before leaving them. Her heart swelled to bursting.
“Do you always allow commoners to kiss you?” The prince sounded appalled.
“Nay,” Vixie said. “Only that one.”
“Is he courting you?”
“Aye.” He is now.
The prince paused. “Are you open to being courted by others?”
“Not at this time, Your Highness.”
He paused again, as if baffled by the entire scenario. “Well, all right. I came to say my good-byes. We return to Toresta today.”
Vixie lowered into a deep curtsy. “Thank you, Prince Hanriil. You are brave and worthy. May the seas be with you.”
He bowed. “And the winds with you.”
Aerity walked with her chin up toward the guest quarters. Thankfully the guards and soldiers were all so busy with cleanup that they hadn’t yet taken to watching her like a hawk. When she saw Harrison and Lief walking together, the strife between them seeming to have vanished, she cocked her head toward the portico at the end of the hall. They followed her into the opening, and she turned on Lief.
“What were you thinking? Your homeland!”
He shrugged lightly. “I was going to live here anyway, wasn’t I?”
She stared at him. The fear and nervousness he’d displayed in front of the king were gone. “But . . . your honor. I never meant for you to do this, I swear it.”
He cupped her cheek, as he’d done on so many kind moments before. “I know. You would have never asked or expected it, and for that I respect you.”
“Then why?” she asked.
He got a sort of capricious look on his face as he released her. “I suppose I wanted to know what it’d feel like . . . to sacrifice something big for one deserving person.”
“I fear you will regret it,” she whispered.
“Your Majesty!” called a voice from down the hall. Aerity popped her head out and saw Caitrin with six other maids. She waved, so glad to see them. The maids rushed down the hall and Caitrin took her hands. The girls all had red eyes as if they’d been crying, but they were all smiles now.
“Oh, Your Majesty! We came as soon as we heard! The seas have blessed our kingdom! We’re so happy you’re safe.”
Aerity smiled. “Indeed, we are so very blessed.”
“I’m sorry to have interrupted you, my queen,” Caitrin said, her eyes darting up to Lief. She released her hands and curtsied. The other girls did the same. When they stood they smiled at her, and then their eyes all seemed to flitter up to Duke Alvi before they turned and dashed away. Down the hall Aerity heard several of them giggle. She turned and caught a grin on Lief’s face.
“No,” he said. “I won’t regret it.”
“Oh, you!” Aerity smacked his arm and Harrison laughed, shaking his head.
“Thank you, though,” Lief said to Aerity. “For the lands. That is more
than generous.”
She hugged him around the waist and he hugged her back. He would make a good addition to Lochlanach. “Just don’t break too many of my maidens’ hearts.”
He chuckled, making no promises. She pulled away and looked at the two of them.
“Have you seen Paxton?”
Harrison nodded. “He and Tiern are in the third guest chambers.”
“Tell him I said you’re welcome!” Lief called as she turned and ran.
She smiled widely, despite the heat that filled her cheeks. She felt strangely nervous as she stopped in front of the third door and knocked, then adjusted the gem in her circlet. Tiern opened the door and bowed when he saw her.
“Congratulations on your victory, Your Majesty,” he said.
She gave a small nod. “The victory is all of ours. Thank you, Tiern.”
“I’ve just come from the library. Your sister was crying, apparently happy tears?”
Aerity smiled. “She tends to do that.”
She was about to inquire about Paxton, when he peeked out from behind the door and saw her. He was shirtless, drying his wet hair with a towel. He pushed the door open and came forward, nearly shoving Tiern out of the way.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Oh, seas. All she could do was stare at this man, her tongue seeming to have stopped working. She was almost afraid to say the words, afraid that it would all be snatched away.
Tiern grasped the back of his neck. “Erm, I’ll just be going, then.” He ducked out the doorway to leave them.
Aerity peeked behind her. One of her guards was watching, but she knew he would not stop her or gossip. She slipped into the chamber and shut the door. As Paxton stared at her expectantly, a sudden giggle erupted out of her throat and she covered her mouth. His brow scrunched.
“What has happened?”
Aerity leaned back against the door to steady herself. Paxton looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. He tossed the towel onto a chair and faced her.
“You’re beginning to make me nervous, Aer.”
In a rush, she spouted, “He refused to marry me.”
His brow furrowed even tighter. “Pardon? Wait . . . Lief? Refused?”
Her head bobbed up and down and the giggle returned. “Aye!” Then she straightened and lost her smile. “He’s been banished from the coldlands for it. I’ve given him the southern lands. You should have seen King Dagur—”
“Wait.” Paxton’s heavy, dark eyes were locked on her. “You’re not to be married?”
The severity of his heated stare made her suck in a breath. “Nay.” She took his hands, looking down at his strong, capable, magical fingers. “Not to him.”
In a rush, Paxton lifted her off her feet, making her laugh as he buried his face into her neck and spun her.
“Deep seas!” he said. The vivacity in his own laughter was the most joyous sound she’d ever heard. They were free. Free of their enemies. Free of promised sacrifices. Free to be together. And though life was certain to bring obstacles anew each day, they would face them together.
She wrapped her arms tightly about his neck and murmured in his ear. “You’re my prince, Pax. My only prince.”
Epilogue
Aerity stepped out of the grand castle doors as they swung wide, and into the mild warmth of a spring breeze. Buds of white and pink shone from trees against the vivid blue sky. Tulips of varying bright colors lined the pathway, slightly overshadowed by soldiers at attention in full regalia on each side.
Queen Aerity peered down at her dapper brother, who stood tall and proud at the bottom of the steps. Beside him sat Furball with a giant blue bow tied around his neck—the ribbon in direct, ironic contrast to his brutish size and appearance. The kind beast rose up on his hind legs to watch as she made her way down to Donnie and slipped a satin-gloved hand through his arm. She smiled at the moisture in his hair where he’d apparently tried to tame the curls.
“Thank you for escorting me, Donubhan,” she said.
“Thank you for allowing me, sister. My queen.”
She looked at the beast who towered over her and smiled. “Good boy.”
Together, they took a step forward, and music poured forth. Bagpipes and flutes played a traditional Lochlan wedding march. It sent a thrill of delight and disbelief through Aerity to hear it, knowing it was for her and her love. She’d wanted nothing more than to marry immediately in the winter, but she knew the lands required healing, and the castle needed much work before it could house guests again.
She and Donnie took the cobbled path toward the west commons with Furball bounding along beside them. Young Merity and Caileen giggled and ran ahead through the rows of soldiers, throwing tulip petals and lavender flowers high into the air. A procession of guards marched closely behind them.
As they turned the corner, cheers rang out from the thousands of people allowed into the royal lands to celebrate with them that day, even more than had come to her coronation in the winter. The people appeared well and happy. It had brought her great joy that week to receive word that nearly double the number of children had been born throughout the lands late winter and early spring as had been born the year before. In a kingdom whose population had been drastically declining, that was wonderful news of burgeoning prosperity.
They came to the gates, covered in twining vines of flowers, and the guards swung them open. A trail of flowers made a path forward. Aerity couldn’t help but beam an uncontrollable smile at the sight of Wyneth and Vixie standing on one side of a vine-covered archway, with Harrison and Tiern on the other. And straight ahead . . . her feet faltered at the handsome sight of Paxton in a dress tunic and pressed trousers, his hair carefully tapered by a leather strap at the back of his neck. A slow grin came to his face.
Donnie gave her a gentle tug forward again. Her eyes moved to the sides, where familiar faces stared back appraisingly: King and Queen Vikani of Ascomanni, King and Queen Cliftonia of Toresta with their two sons, and King and Queen Zandbur of Zorfina. Zandora and her two sisters, along with their strapping, tall husbands. Her cousins, uncles, and aunts, with tears in their eyes. Lief sitting with her family. The Seabolt parents. Everyone dressed in their finest. All to celebrate this moment that Aerity never believed would come. But those trials made this moment all the sweeter.
To Lief Alvi’s apparent bemused chagrin, Furball plopped himself right at his feet, laying with his massive head on his paws. Lief stared at the creature’s ridiculous bow and, with a chuckle, gave Furball a scratch on top of his head.
The only kingdom not represented was Kalor, but they were busy trying to reestablish their monarch. King Kalieno’s only living heir, a second cousin, had come out of hiding to claim his rightful place on the throne, and Lochlanach was keeping a close eye on their proceedings. But for now, Queen Aerity wanted nothing more than to put all politics from her mind.
When Aerity and Donnie came to a stop in front of Paxton, her brother gently brought her hand up and placed it in Pax’s waiting palm. A dizzying sensation swept through her as she looked into her betrothed’s deep, dark eyes. Aerity kissed Donubhan’s cheek and he stepped aside. Aerity and Paxton faced the priest of the sea. Her hand shook inside of his, and he twined his fingers with hers, holding tight.
“Paxton Seabolt, hunter and warrior, do you give your undying allegiance, love, and loyalty to your queen, and would-be wife, Aerity Lochson?”
Aerity stood still. In a Lochlan wedding, the vow question was posed, and the couple was open to respond from the heart.
“Aye. I give my queen my allegiance, my love, my loyalty, my name if she will have it, and more.” He turned his head from the priest to her, searching her face and penetrating her eyes. “I give you all that I have, Aerity, which is not much. So I offer everything I am. My life. My actions. My adoration and support. It is all for you. For our family. Our people.”
Her heart squeezed, air fluttering into her lungs. They turned to face forward again, and A
erity caught Vix and Wyn wiping their eyes. She couldn’t look at them for fear she’d cry as well. Her heart already felt overwhelmed.
“And do you, Aerity Lochson, queen of all this land, give your undying allegiance, love, and loyalty to this man, Paxton Seabolt?”
“Aye, good father, I do.” She wet her lips and turned to Pax. “My love, I give you my honor and respect.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I give you my heart, which I know you willingly share with our kingdom, and I thank you for that. Seas willing, I will give you children, and our family will grow.” Oh, seas. Paxton swallowed, his eyes filling with moisture as she spoke. “I give you forever.”
They held tight to each other’s hands, and they both smiled. Aerity was first to let out a laugh of joy, and then Paxton. He released one of her hands and turned, reaching out to touch the green vine covering the archway. Aerity watched in amazement as a tiny, tight bud raised its head, grew, and blossomed wide into a fragrant fuchsia flower. As he held the vine and concentrated, a string of buds grew and bloomed, one after another. He moved his hand to another vine and did the same, this time bringing to life dark purple blossoms, then lavender and yellow. The crowd gasped in awe and cheered as the entire archway filled to bursting with bright color in minutes. A glorious representation of his power.
“It’s stunning,” she whispered.
“It doesn’t hold a flame to you,” he whispered back, taking both her hands again.
Not everyone in the kingdom had embraced the new Lashed laws, and many were unhappy about their queen taking a magical prince consort. But progress was a layered process. Aerity had faith that, in time, equality would bloom into prosperity for both Lashed and Unlashed.
Paxton and Aerity moved in closer as the priest spoke.
“Paxton Seabolt, I pronounce you prince consort of Lochlanach and husband of Queen Aerity Lochson, who furthermore shall be called Queen Aerity Seabolt. May the seas bless your union, and this kingdom, all of your many days.”