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I have been galloping towards the edge of falling in love with Lorelai since the moment I met her, and I fell over the edge without even realizing it.
After our walk through the castle grounds, Lorelai and I return to my chambers.
I have food ordered and brought up, and I do not miss the way Lorelai stiffens when the naga servants bring up several trays of food.
“I’m just not used to being waited on.” Lorelai shrugs and laughs when I raise an eyebrow at her. Her laughter is tight, and she doesn’t meet my eyes. I swallow a sigh.
“I have never eaten this much in my life.” She groans heavily sometime later.
I look reflectively at her figure as she leans back in her chair. Lorelai has gained some weight since I’ve met her.
Her face is slightly rounder, and her hips are fuller, though her body is still lean and muscular from years of hard physical labor.
“You look beautiful.” My words are spontaneous, and Lorelai looks at me with widened eyes, and I smile when her cheeks turn pink.
I get up to walk around the table and reach for her. She leans up to meet my lips in a kiss, and I caress her face lightly, reveling in the feel and taste of her.
At least she hasn’t shut you out completely since coming here,I think gratefully to myself.
“You should find several sets of night clothes in the dresser,” I tell her when I pull away. “I need to deal with some business for the Prince, so I’ll be gone for a while.”
She smiles at me, and I see the tension leave her face and shoulders for the first time since we arrived in Lodra.
“I’ll try to wait up for you, but I’m a bit tired.”
I kiss her again before leaving. It is as I walk down the corridors that the realization of my love hits me. It is profound and disorienting.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Lasta’s voice reaches me from the darkness, and I nearly stumble into him.
“Why do you insist on lingering in the darkness?” I grumble as Lasta chuckles under his breath.
I right myself, and we start to walk towards Lasta’s office. He walks impatiently, and I know he has been wanting to have this talk since I returned.
Everyone always moves too slowly for Lasta,I think to myself as we enter his office.
“So,” I speak promptly as we sit down in his office. “What has been happening? I’m glad to see the place didn’t burn down in my absence.”
Lasta snorts and leans forward. There is a hard look in his eyes, although I am not sure where it came from.
I always forget that Lasta is highly intelligent and very strategic because it is always hidden underneath his dry humor.
“You’re lucky you had me to take over,” Lasta speaks matter of fact. “Not to speak ill of our esteemed leadership, but none of them could run this kingdom if we put a sword to their heads.”
I cannot help but snort in response. I love Zalith like a brother, and I have no doubt that he will make a great King, but he has no idea yet what it will really take to run a kingdom.
I shrug at Lasta, who looks at me with a sardonically raised eyebrow.
“Zalith will be okay. He just needs my guidance. Or your guidance if I’m not available.”
Lasta grunts and sits back.
“Well, I’m glad you’re back because I’m tired of pushing paper. I need to get back to my real job. I don’t know how you stand it.”
Lasta and I proceed to discuss the affairs of the kingdom, including everything that has happened in my absence.
There are several fires that need to be put out that Lasta could not do on his own.
“I can deal with those in the coming weeks. They won’t bring the kingdom to its knees right away.”
