I’m terrified this loving calm won’t last.
“Lorcan pinkie-swore to some children we rescued that he’d help them find their families. If their families were dead, he would find a way to protect them.”
Mollified, I curl into him. Breathing in his scent. Memorizing him.
“I’ll miss you, Tovi.”
A gentle squeeze from his strong arms.
“Not as much as I’ll miss you, Sunshine.”
“When you get back, we’ll go to River Bend?” I asked with apprehension. Our first visit was awkward as fuck, and I know he’s not looking forward to going back. I have to make a decision, though: am I going to step down and let my sister lead so I can be with Tovian? Or will I fight to make sure he’s as accepted among my people as I am among his?
I can’t fathom giving up my home and my culture along with a queendom. I have to at least try.
But first, we finish this war.
Chapter 27
“When are you coming home, Raina?”
My father’s voice is weary. For the first time, I realize he’sold.He’s leaning on me to take my rightful role because he’s tired and wants to step down.
“Soon, Father. I, um, have some news.”
“Oh? Have you found Zosia?”
“No. Nothing that important.” I try not to be bitter about the fact that even he is more concerned about the missing Auralian princess than he is about his own, disappointing, rebellious daughter. I revert to a childhood name for him that I haven’t used in years. “Papa,”—gods, this is so hard—“I’m pregnant.”
Stunned silence on the other end of the line.
“Tovian’s?”
“Who else?”
“I thought perhaps Lorcan had finally come around.”
That was not what I wanted to hear. Anger flares within me.
“Father. I’m having a baby with Tovian. We’ve already made things official here in the Ansi.”
He sighs. “I suspected you might do that. I have no objection to the young man. He is honorable, skilled and will protect you and your daughters with his life. Politically, this will cause a stir, but we can manage it.”
“Wouldn’t marrying Lorcan cause just as much of a stir?” I demanded, unwilling to ignore the issue any longer.
“Lorcan is a knight. He is not of our people, but he has been known by our people for much of his life. Tovian is new. He is a prince to a tribe no one knows much about. He has responsibilities to his own people. I trust you can understand why the Myseci are wary of a king who might have divided loyalties.”
There it is.
“Although he comes from another tribe, Lorcan isn’t a leader. To marry him would be a step down, socially speaking, and a snub to our dukes, yet one cannot have too much intermarriage lest we put the health of the royal line at risk—”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. He did not just imply that my family is inbred. I really prefer not to think about the fact.
“—Besides, with Lorcan’s accomplishments in winning this war—”
“His accomplishments?” I explode.
“Well, yes. He drove the invaders out of Central Auralia—”
