“Thank you. They will be delighted to see the full shipment.” Rowena’s eyes met mine.
I stumbled. Lioran caught me by the arm, but released me quickly.
“Are you alright? I’m sure that was exhausting. Your Highness, maybe you can take her inside—get her out of the sun for a while?” Rowena asked.
I quickly nodded.
Fyn crept in between Rowena and me. “You did good.” He placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “If he asks though, this was completely your idea. I am in no way responsible.”
“It was my idea, Fyn.” I laughed.
“Exactly.” He nodded.
Lioran rolled his eyes at Fyn as Rowena stepped away to gather more bottles for the oregano.
Chapter 24
Lioran trailed behind me into the castle. “You…”
“It had to be done.” I didn’t look back at him.
“You gave them a gift none of us could, not even me.” His fingers found mine for a stolen moment before he dropped them. “You gave freely, knowing they could all see the depths of your magic.”
“Anyone could have seen hints of my magic at any time.” My shoulders fell. “I don’t need to hide who I am. The High Court will know, if they don’t already. Othryl needed me. The village is desperate.”
His head hung lower. “I wasn’t trying to hide you. Only to keep you safe from those who would try to use your power for their own gain…or reveal you to my parents.”
“I don’t care the cost. I can help.”
He rubbed his temples. “I can’t get past the irony.”
“How is me helping them ironic?”
He pushed an oak door open, revealing a room full of wooden crates. “That by our laws you can’t be queen, yet I couldn’t think of anyone better to wear the crown.”
I didn’t want to go back to that conversation, to that state. He closed the door behind us. The scent of oregano still clung to my fingertips.
It felt good to use my magic to help Othryl. I could still give my magic to restore everything that plagued them, but once it was gone, a part of who I was would vanish with it. I hadn’t asked Cora any more about the vision, but I didn’t have to. Every day it hovered over me.
“Can we just pretend that none of it matters? We can just exist here together. For now.”
I thought of Fyn’s pain. His words hung over me still.
He was mine, and I would love him until the stars divided us.
“I savor every moment,” he said, tracing the curve of my jaw with his fingers. “My heart will only ever belong to you.”
I pulled him closer, pressing a slow kiss on his lips.
“Aelira,” he whispered my name. The heat of his breath was hot on my neck. “I…”
“Stay here with me,” I whispered
A part of me would still pretend he could give me always. Visions of him poured into my mind as my eyes shut—sipping drinks by the fire in his chambers. Strolling through the courtyard together, with my hand in his. Riding with Gaia and Veylar openly, freely wherever we wished through the Heart. If fate had determined otherwise—it would have all been ours to keep.
It was the only future I could picture—the only one that gave my heart exactly what it wanted. I didn’t need anything else. Only him.
He pulled his lips free from mine. “If I found a different way…”
