“Gross.”
“It’s not gross. Everything has to offload heat somehow. If you don’t like it, you should have worn pants,” Aurelio says, snorting.
I eye my battle skirt, grimacing at the thought of sitting here in horse sweat for the next couple of hours. I didn’t bring anything other than my usual attire, though, so I’m stuck sitting in horse sweat whether or not I like it.
“It’s fine,” I grumble. “I’ll just clean us both off when we stop for the evening.”
And, true to my word, when we stop for our evening rest, I walk Aticus down to a nearby river, gather up some of the water in my hands, and splash it over both of us, soaking my clothes in the process. I can’t care less. I don’t want to smell like a barnyard the entire journey. Aurelio might stop walking next to me if that happens. Or Daelia, for that matter. As confident as I am about taking on a wendigo by myself, I’d prefer not to be alone when it happens.
Aticus has some tangles in his mane when I walk him back to our makeshift camp. Frowning, I grab a brush out of the saddlebag and set to work on his mane, carefully working through the knots the same way I’d brush Mina’s hair after a swim in the lake behind the palace.
“Don’t tell me you’re starting to like horses, Alessia,” Daelia teases.
I shoot a glare at her. “Shut up.”
“You are! Look at you, conquering fears and leaving the palace grounds. It’s like a whole new and improved version of the sister I love!”
I blink, realizing the truth in her words. I did start relaxing in that last hour of travel, and I didn’t even think twice before standing close to Aticus to brush him. In fact, I’m practically leaning on him while I brush his mane. This is a total one-eighty from the way I acted with Cricket the other day. And I’m not freaking out while standing in the middle of the terrifying Wendigo Forest after spending four years cooped up in the palace.
All things considered, I’m doing pretty awesome in my first week as Queen of Celestia.
“Well, it’s not like I feared horses,” I scoff. “I just never spent any time around them until now. It’s natural to be wary of new things.”
“True. But you’re falling in love with the thing already, aren’t you?”
I look into Aticus’s eyes, seeing their doleful black depths stare back at me with the utmost attention. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he looks like he’s listening carefully to what I have to say. I struggle to suppress a giddy smile.
“Maybe I am. What’s it to you?”
“Oh, I’m just giving you shit. It’s my job. Someone has to keep you honest, and it sure as hells won’t be that guy.”
She nods at Aurelio, who’s relaxing by the campfire, lackadaisically poking the sticks to keep the flame burning as our meat rations roast overtop of it. I shake my head.
“No, I’ve already got him under control.”
“You’re such a control freak, you know that?” Daelia says, elbowing me in the ribs. “Relax a little. Let life happen as it happens.”
“You realize you’re speaking to the literal matriarch of our nation, right? The definition of my job is to meddle in everything that goes on in my country. I’m supposed to control it.”
“You control the country. Not its people.” Daelia shoots me a brilliant smile. “Not everything that happens is on your shoulders. Learn to take a step back once in a while. Try something new. Get out of your comfort zone and learn about the world outside royal responsibilities. You might be surprised how fun it can be.”
I roll my eyes. “Says the Hero of Celestia, whose job is to also meddle in almost everything critical to the future of our nation.”
“You’re right. But maybe there’s a way to have fun, even when the weight of the world is always on your shoulders.”
I suck in a breath, watching her eyes sparkle knowingly. It’s like she’s reading my mind. I know she’s my twin, but still, it’s kind of creepy to have someone look at me and read my thoughts like they’re words on a page. Turning away from her, I reach into Aticus’ saddlebag and grab a bottle of water.
“Stop trying to give me unsolicited advice. I’m just fine the way I am.”
“You are. So, stop hiding the real you. I’ll take your secrets to the grave. Plus, I think Aurelio’s into overpowered dorks with attitudes.”
I’m glad I paused before drinking that water, because I’d be spitting it out right now if I didn’t. Choking on my own air, I look to Daelia, preparing an instant retort, but she’s already walking away, her eyes on a dead tree ahead. I watch as she summons her magic, imbues it into her sword, and cuts down the tree with one strike. Her sword glows bright purple as she swiftly chops the tree trunk into much smaller pieces for firewood. Her necklace flies as she twists and pivots in quick succession.
She’s still a force of nature, as always.
Now that she’s not staring at me, I don’t have to hide my sheepish smile anymore. She’s absolutely right; I know she’ll die before she tells anyone what I’m like behind closed doors, and I’m well aware that Aurelio is into Alessia Moonbreaker, not the Queen of Celestia. The way he looked at me on that hilltop date was proof enough. I can still recall the feeling of that kiss as I think back to that moment. My face heats as I brush my finger across my lips.
I don’t need to put in extra effort when we’re already married. But…it is a nice change of pace, finding someone else I can be myself with. Aurelio is a living, breathing challenge to the way I see myself, and I don’t intend to lose that challenge. I’ll learn to balance what I have to do with what I want to do in time.
