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“Clever.”
“An unnecessary precaution, hopefully. But come, come. Let me show you to your new home.”
I half expected a carriage waiting for us when we left the tavern, as I didn’t anticipate there to be many cars around. I wasn’t even sure if there were actual roads on the islands. But there was no vehicle of any sort outside, so we just walked.
It was like being back at Fort Canid, so I didn’t mind at all. It felt good to be on my own feet and not worry about how everyone was perceiving me as the crown prince. I’d wondered if any of the Fae and other citizens of Verdana Isles would recognize me, but no one stopped or even did so much as a double take while we strolled along.
It wasn’t like we had an overly short walk, either. It was twenty or thirty minutes later when we left the edge of the city, ending up in an area that wasn’t quite country but most certainly wasn’t urban either. It was in the green, verdant space that Aodin led up us to a cozy looking cabin, with another one within sight, but far enough that they weren’t quite on top of each other. Behind them was clearly a jungle, though it was full of trees with which I wasn’t familiar. It was a nice place, tucked away from everything else, but we weren’t dangerously isolated.
“This is Tove’s place. You and your mate are welcome to make yourself at home here, as he’s going to be heading out on a merchant’s run soon, so he’ll be staying at my place by the docks.”
I didn’t know who Tove was, but I was certainly appreciative that he was willing to let us take over his home.
“Oren, Miss Darla, I have his guest house for the two of you which is just over there. Of course the lot of you can tweak your arrangements however you like. I just figured this would be the most…” Aodin paused, but his expression was more mischievous than embarrassed. “Prudent.”
“Ah, yes, prudent,” Darla said. “Yes, that’s most definitely the correct word.”
“Well, unless you need anything, I imagine all of you are eager to rest. I think you’ll have a few days before anything major happens, so take advantage. I imagine it’s the longest break any of us will have for quite a while.”
He had a fair point there. Ever since the assassination attempt, it felt like we’d been going non-stop. I expected that to continue from the moment I beseeched the elders to betray my father until all our fates were decided by either Ayla’s curse, our rebellion against the crowd, or any other of the things we had going against us.
“Thank you, Aodin,” Ayla said, surprising me by turning and giving the Fae a small hug. “For every single thing you’ve done.”
“No need for any thanks. All I want is for us to make Camdaria, Verdana, and everywhere else a better place.”
“And to stop the forces of Vekas,” Oren said.
“And to stop the forces of Vekas, yes. Peace at last, and honestly, if there’s ever been a group that could make it happen, it’s you. An exiled prince, a half-blood witch, a psychic, and the most loyal shifter anyone could ask for.” Aodin gave a solemn nod. “I trust in all of you, truly.” With that he gave a bow. “Rest well, my friends. For the moment, our future is quite bright.”
Then he turned to walk away, his steps that of a man full of hope. I just hoped we didn’t squander that trust he’d given us, and that one day soon, our world would finally know an age without a terrible war hovering over it.
“I’d love for us to give each other a tour of our new digs,” Darla said with an impressive yawn. “But I’m looking forward to a bed that doesn’t rock back and forth. Oren, if you’re ready to pass the fuck out, I most certainly am, too.”
“If you don’t need us, sir?” Of course, Oren looked to me first, ever the faithful and vigilant second in command. I was so deeply lucky our paths had ever crossed. He truly was the best friend I could have asked for.
“No, definitely get some rest. We all could use it. Tomorrow, we can show off our accommodations to each other.”
“Sounds good, sir.”
He gave a nod while Darla gave one of her patented lazy salutes, and the two headed down the road to the slightly smaller cabin, which most certainly wasn’t less welcoming.
Ayla took my hand with a weary grin. “Come on now, let’s go to bed.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Together, we headed into our temporary lodgings, able to openly be ourselves and romantic with each other for what felt like the first time in ages. While the cabin we were going into was, indeed, beautiful, with a wraparound porch loaded with plenty of comfortable looking chairs, as well as a gorgeous garden and wild jungle, I only had eyes for my mate.
It was like I was taking her in entirely anew, able to appreciate her in a new situation, a new land, and clearly a new chapter of our lives.
I took in the icy-white length of her hair, which had grown from the normal military bob she kept it in. I took in the expression of wonder in those beautiful, bright blue eyes of hers that were so the opposite of my own.
I took in her smaller frame and how she’d layered it with hard-earned muscle. She didn’t have the va-va-voom of Darla or the generous curves of Felicity, but that didn’t matter. To me, Ayla was the most gorgeous woman in existence, inside and out. Her fortitude, her strength, and her patience knew no limits. Every day, even with the insane circumstances lately, she inspired me to be a better man. To deserve her.
To deserve us.
“Wow,” she said, her voice reverent as she looked around. “This place is gorge—oh! Look at the kitchen!”
Ayla let go of my hand and walked toward the wide, more old-fashioned looking oven with a stone hutch over it. This then led up into the chimney I’d spied on the roof when we approached.
