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Even in my head, her voice seemed groggy.You don’t have to power nap out here too.
“I know.”
She was right. With everything the following day would bring, I should have already been fast asleep in my room. Still, this mattered. When Krew and I had been going through hell with my father, there were so many nights I would barely sleep, even after our training, terrified of what another day would bring. I knew what it felt like to fight a darkness from all angles. And I didn’t want her to feel alone in it.
I smiled as I heard her snore a few moments later.
CHAPTER19
We were staring down three trips to Keld back-to-back. The land dragon, who I now knew was named Enoch, caused a scene yesterday. Jorah and Owen arrived today, and then we had to return them to the ship the following evening.
Rather than alert the shifters to another Wylan royal present, we were riding shifters directly to the castle, at least shortening the trip. Whit was brought in on the secrecy as the queen wanted another shifter to help. Something about how flying in threes was safer anyway.
I wasn’t sure how long the queen had stayed asleep on my balcony last night. I just knew I woke as dawn lit the sky and she was gone. But I noted she had finally taken the ring with her. And left her blanket over mine.
“Ready?” Dex asked, neck tense as we headed to the library early in the afternoon.
I wasn’t nearly as tense, more so looking forward to seeing Jorah and Owen.
The ride to Keld went fast enough, my thoughts wandering and going over the details of this little secret visit. Jorah and Owen would hide in my room, as even an extra room being readied would be whispered about. Owen and I likely had a long night on the floor or couch. So we would hang out for the rest of the evening and hide away in my room until dawn, at which time the real work would begin.
Malachi landed us softly on the beach as the ship’s sails could be seen just over the horizon. We were up the shore, away from the main streets of Keld, though of course there was always the chance that people would still see. Jorah, Owen, and company would have to use a small boat to get ashore, as we had wanted more secrecy than the docks provided.
I found myself smiling as we waited. Owen was always a pain in the ass, but I had missed even him. I also thought of my brother Krew, back in Wylan. I knew why they both couldn’t come, and I understood sending Jorah like this went against all his instincts.
Yet they’d still come. Because I had asked them to.
I swallowed hard, grateful for my family.
As soon as the boat came close enough, Dex and I waved, numerous people waving back to us.
Amory was with us, not wanting to miss out on the fun. Even she waved at them in greeting. A stark contrast to when I first arrived on these shores.
“Where is the queen?” she whispered to me.
Jorah wasn’t wearing her crown, which was something I hadn’t thought of but likely smart. She was standing over the railing, talking to the crew as they readied the ropes. I pointed to her as Owen called out from over the side of the boat, “He lives?!”
“For now,” I hollered back.
They loaded up the smaller boat and headed toward us. As soon as they were able to deboard, one lone guard heading back to the ship with the small boat, Owen barreled for me, sweeping me into a bear hug.
“Nice to see you too,” I patted him hard.
Owen squeezed me harder. “Missed you, brother.”
“Put him down so I can have a hug too,” Jorah hissed.
He did, though my feet hadn’t truly ever left the ground.
She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me hard. Something that at one point I thought would have been impossible. Or that it would be impossible to hug her like this and not hold feelings toward her in a certain type of way. Yet here we were. She might not be my soulmate, but I would forever love her in a way.
“We have missed you, Keir,” she said, her voice cracking on the words. “And have been so worried.”
I grabbed Owen and brought him back in as the three of us hugged again. “You know me better than that. If I’m going down, I’m going down in a heaping disaster.”
The three of us finally pulled away as Jorah’s breath caught and she realized what sat behind us, further up the shore. Amory still stood there waiting, as did a few of Jorah’s guards. Counting Owen there were three. Which I had already known. I was actually a little surprised Krew hadn’t demanded more.
“Hi, Your Highness,” Amory smiled nicely. “My name is Amory; I am advisor to the queen and have been working with Prince Keiran.”
