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“We sent my father’s fae who were hunting for you off on a wild chase, and I also explained to the cooks in your field barn that you were my mate, so I was trying to protect you.”
My eyebrows shot up. “That’s how everyone here knows we’re mated?”
Norivun grinned. “You did tell me Evis and Krisil were the biggest gossips this side of the Gielis Mountains. I figured I’d use that to my advantage.”
I snorted a laugh.
Still grinning, he added, “It seems they’ve told everyone, and if anything, it will help our fae understand why I could never marry Georgyanna.” The prince’s arm curled around my waist. He dipped his head to run the tip of his nose along my neck. “All fae understand the mate bond. They’ll realize I could have never married her when I had you.”
My lips curled into a smile as hope filled my chest. “That was clever.”
“Almost as clever as your plan.”
I laughed, and tendrils of renewed hope madedetermination surge through my soul. “Perhaps our endeavorswillwork, especially if they all know we’re mates. Come, let’s gather everyone together.”
We ventured to the fields, mistphasing to them in a blink.
Rolling swells of land were covered with growing plants of various colors. Warm air swirled just above the soil. Laborers dotted the field as they tended the crops. Without Vorl, the mood throughout the field was calmer and lighter.
Gracelyn, a female who’d been born in my village and had tended the crops for hundreds of winters, was currently the interim archon of our village according to Cailis.
The female inclined her head in my direction, her expression curious as she surveyed the prince and his guards, before she bent over to assist one of the younger fae with a wheat stalk.
My heart surged. My home’s thriving plants were growing and blooming amidst the field’s protective cloud oforem. It was as it should be.
“Ock, Ilara Seary, good day to you, love!” one of the males called from the field, waving from a distance. “Your Highness.” He bowed formally to Norivun before returning to his work.
Dozens of other laborers did the same, greeting me and then their crown prince.
An aching sensation cracked my chest from the way they all readily welcomed my mate. It was the exact opposite reaction to what he’d been given monthsago when he’d stormed into the field barn to collect me.
Norivun threaded his fingers through mine.
“Come, we have much to do.” I tugged the prince into the barn, and his guards followed.
Inside, we found Evis and Krisil, laboring over their steaming pots and kettles. I squeezed the prince again, then released him just as Evis shrieked, “Ilara!”
Krisil wiped her hands on her apron and bustled around the steaming cauldrons. “Ock, Ilara, you’ve finally returned home and with your handsome prince nonetheless.”
Both bowed to the prince, reverence apparent upon their expressions. I started again at how readily they greeted the heir to the throne. Whatever the prince had said to them when I’d been with Drachu had definitely made an impression.
They both hugged me after the customary bows, then looked me over. Evis glanced around my shoulder and frowned. “Where’s Cailis?”
“Not here, but she’s safe.” I squeezed her again, then clasped both of their hands. “I’ve returned because we have something to ask of you. Will you come with us now to the village center?”
Krisil cocked her head as she scanned the prince and his guards, her face a mask of confusion. “Of course we will, Ilara.”
“That’s Lady Seary,” Nish corrected.
Evis covered her mouth with a laugh. “Of course, I forgot how far you’ve come.LadySeary, we would behonored to accompany you and the prince to the village center.”
Disbelief again coursed through me at how much their demeanor had changed. “Will you call the laborers too? Everyone needs to hear this. I’m counting on both of you to continue spreading the truth about the prince and also the king.”
The small auras swirling around the two cooks began to buzz with anticipation. “Whatever are you talking about?” Krisil asked.
I smiled. “You’ll see.”
CHAPTER 15 - ILARA
