There’s a bright red line across his cheek, and a deeper scratch on his shoulder.
“It’s nothing.” He laughed. “Fell down a ravine trying to avoid Big Ada.”
We made our goodbyes. By mid-afternoon, we’d traversed The Boscage and met up with Lorcan and the rest of the caravan going north.
“Why didn’t Lorcan come with you?” I asked along the way.
“He had other things to do.” Tovian said evasively. I don’t like that, but I don’t want to burst our bubble of joy, either.
I wondered if it had anything to do with the rumors going around about him. That he’d slept with any woman who asked, but never invited them back or bothered to learn their names. It’s so far out of character that I chalked it up to bored women making up stories.
What if it was true?
I can’t fathom that he could betray Zosia that way. Even knowing what he’s become since his accident, I don’t believe it.
“With the pirates gone, we can get back to normal. Start rebuilding,” I say, more to hear myself speak than anything. Filling the air with nervous words. I’m jangly and worked up.
Everything will need to be re-thought. Our entire culture. Our relationship with the outside world. There will be a struggle for power. Do we hold elections? Do I just declare myself Queen of Auralia? What would Zosia think of me if it turns out she’s alive after all? Will the tribes that came together to fight the invasion be torn apart by infighting?
I fear that without Zosia’s hand to steer us into an uncertain future, we’re looking at a second war on the heels of the first.
“Your friend Lorcan is being hailed as a hero.”
A chill works down my spine. Lorcan always wanted to be king. Did he want Zosia more, or only because she was a means to an end?
Right now, I’m not going to think about it.
“Nothing new about that,” I said evenly. Tovian cast me a sidelong glance and kept walking, moving a large frond out of my way.
“Are things okay between you and Lorcan?”
“Why?”
“Things seem strained between the two of you.”
Yeah, because he’s failed to do the one thing he swore upon his life to do: save the princess.
“In what way?” is all I say.
“I…look. You’ve known him a lot longer than I have. I’m just trying to figure out...you know. Him. You. Where I fit.”
We walked in silence for a time.
“I admit I had a rose-tinted view of Lorcan before the war. His accident changed him. I’m not sure I want to know how much.” It’s more than I want to confess, and less than I need to. “I’m glad the two of you have become friends.”
I am. Really. Not at all put out by the fact that it went from me and Tovian fighting side-by-side to Tovian and Lorcan, with all the glory accruing to the latter. Doesn’t bother me a bit. Which is how it should be. I have a kingdom to run. A baby on the way. A second wedding to plan. Seriously, let Lorcan be the hero and do whatever it is he’s doing with himself these days. It’s not my business. The only thing that matters is that he finds Zosia.
“If Lorcan wants to be a real hero, he’ll get into that castle and find Zosia.”
“What if she’s dead, Sunshine?”
“Then we wouldn’t have won this war,” I insist stubbornly. “Besides, don’t you think we need to know? The entire country needs closure. Imagine if we get into an election campaign and then it turns out she’s been safe all along. What a mess that would be.”
“True.”
[END ON A HOOK]
Chapter 28
