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For a moment, I wonder if my father was right, and King Asher angered her by stealing from her divinus, King Leopold. Maybe she saw the pain she was causing her people and gave up on the beasts of Umbra repenting for their sins.
Overall, we fared well compared to other kingdoms, saving us from a potential mutiny, but King Leopold’s lack of action has caused tension in Lux and increased the need for patrolling to ease people’s distress.
I catch Nathaniel eyeing me from head to toe.
“Are you trying to remember what I look like in case I die?” I ask, trying to lighten the moment.
He stops scanning me.
“Yes, but I was also checking your weapons in case you needed more.”
I huff a laugh because we both lost count of the weapons as we packed them. We’re as prepared as we can be, especially without knowing exactly what we will encounter within Umbra. We all know the lore of the land, but experiencing it is completely different.
“I think we have plenty, Lieutenant,” I answer, but Nathaniel is more interested in something behind me.
I look over my shoulder to see Princess Juniper’s somber face. A small smile tugs at my lips as I wave at her. She returns the gesture and motions her head to a bench nearby, silently asking for me to join her.
“Can you watch my horse? I need to speak to Junie before I leave,” I ask, and Nathaniel simply nods his head.
He takes the reins of my mare as I head toward my childhood friend and now future wife. I push down the knot trying to twist my insides.
Junie sits on a low bench along the edge of the courtyard, facing where we have gathered to get ready for our travels. The bottom of her elegant indigo dress flutters lightly in the breeze. Her light-blonde hair braided into a crown on her head gives her an even more regal look. She looks almost ethereal among the flowers.
As I approach, I drop to one knee and bow.
“As always, it’s lovely to see you, Princess,” I say before standing back to my full height.
There’s a smirk on Junie’s face, but her pale-blue eyes are filled with sadness and concern.
“How many times have I told you not to bow to me, Theo?” She playfully shakes her head. “You may be the captain, but you’re still my friend.”
I take a seat next to her.
“Ah, but you are still a princess, which means I’m required to bow,” I nudge her arm.
Her bright chuckle is brief.
Junie lowers her head. “My father told me about the deal,” she says, barely above a whisper.
I bite my bottom lip, working on a response.
“We don’t have to go through with it. When I return, we’ll deal with our fathers together,” I say, squaring my body to hers.
We don’t have to get married. Neither of us wants to marry the other, so we won’t. Simple as that.
Her gaze rises to mine and her shoulders sag.
She says quietly, “We both know there is no getting out of this. What our fathers say is final.”
Grabbing both her hands in mine, I tell her, “We can make that decision later. We’ll get through it together like we have our entire lives.”
I must not be convincing in my tone because her wary expression doesn’t change.
“It’s not that I wouldn’t be lucky to have you as my husband, Theo, so please don’t think that. It’s just ... I’ve always seen you as family, and that makes for an awkward marriage,” she says, and I can’t help but laugh.
“The feeling is mutual, Junie. I adore you, but not in that way,” I say with a smile. Releasing her hands, I lean back on the bench.
“Plus, I will feel like I’m betraying Lily. I know that sounds stupid. She’s been gone for ten years and—” Junie starts, but I cut her off.
