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Raenisa’s lip trembled for a second before she firmed it and shook her head. “Caelia won’t hurt me.”
“Not physically.”
Raenisa’s shoulders slumped. “I know I shouldn’t care so much. Caelia has made her feelings clear. But I can’t help hoping things will change every time I see her.”
Roza’s eyes were distant as she murmured, “You can’t control who you care for.” She caught me staring at her and cleared her throat. “What did she do, anyway?”
“Nothing,” Raenisa said before shrugging. “Well, nothing yet. She wants to be empress, and that’s not something you can do without an heir... which I can’t give her. Zerek’s brother courted her in Adraedor to solidify the Sarro-Amyntas alliance.” She shook her head. “I’m not going to be some mistress or concubine. No offense, Kael.”
“Oh, fuck off,” I laughed, catching her sly smile before her expression fell again. “And you deserve someone that wants you by their side as an equal, not just hiding away in their bed.”
Raenisa sighed, entering her tent, and we followed behind her. “I guess this is payback for what I put my family through.”
“How so?” Roza asked, picking up a piece of Raenisa’s armor and inspecting it.
“I pretended to court Theron for years to keep Rhazien off my back,” she explained as she tossed clothes into a bag. “My parents always hoped I would marry him, regardless of how many times I told them that cocks are the ugliest things I’ve ever seen. Honestly, I don’t know what you two see in them—flopping around like a windsock.”
Roza’s eyes widened as she looked at me. “Seriously? Elves are that big?”
I winked. “Told you that you should try it. “
Raenisa shook her head. “Not worth it. I’d take a pretty cunt over one of those mushroom-headed bastards any day.”
We all laughed before Roza said, “It won’t be a problem for me. I don’t plan on sleeping with anyone.”
Raenisa raised a brow. “Oh really? What was all that grab-ass with Zerek then?”
Roza sputtered, her cheeks turning pink in the moonlight. “What? I wasn’t—he didn’t. I am not interested in Zerek.” A grin tugged at the corner of Raenisa’s mouth and I held back my laugh. Noticing my expression, Roza scowled at me. “I’m not. He’s a bossy, pompous ass.”
Raenisa scoffed. “Pompous? Zerek? He’s as far from pompous as an Elf can get. If anything, he should take more pride in himself. Atar blessed him with that gorgeous red hair and then barely takes care of it...” She trailed off as she rolled up her small bed roll. “Let’s just say that he’s always been the black sheep of the Amyntas family and doesn’t have the same familial pride as the rest of them. “
Roza crossed her arms, leaning against a tent pole. “Not interested.”
Raenisa caught my eye. “Want to bet on how long they take to hook up after I leave?”
I grinned. “No way. That’s easy money.”
She laughed before her expression turned serious. “Thank you for coming after me. Both of you. It’s good having you back, Kael. I missed you when you were gone.” Her face softened, and she gave Roza a teasing grin. “I guess it doesn’t hurt that I hardly know you and already like you.”
“That’s the opposite of how most people react to me. Which isn’t really in your favor,” Roza pointed out, picking up an ornate dagger. “Can I have this?”
Raenisa glanced at it. “Sure. Just be careful with it, pretty sure it’s poisoned. Took it off a Lazan a while back.”
Roza’s face lit up. “Thanks.”
“No worries.” She smiled at her. “I only ask one thing in return.”
“What?”
“That you’re nice to Zerek.”
Roza sighed dramatically and put down the dagger. “It’s not worth it.”
Raenisa laughed and gave us both a hug. “Thanks for being here. It’s nice having other women to talk to about these things. Theron’s great, but is always problem-solving.”
Theron spoke up from behind me, handing over a bag to Raenisa. “Problem-solving is in my blood. I can’t help it.”
I smiled and leaned into his side, happy to see him. Being separated was... difficult. Theron gave Raenisa a gentle hug that I squeezed into. “Good luck, Rae.”
