Aerity did not want to burden her sister, but Vixie was strong. So Aerity told her, along with Wyneth.
“Not Donnie,” Vixie whispered. All traces of pink drained from her cheeks.
“Seas alive,” Wyneth breathed. “The children . . .”
“I must go to the bay to see what I can learn,” Aerity told her.
“I’m going with you,” Vixie said. Aerity nodded, grateful.
“Same,” Paxton said.
“We’ll all go,” Wyneth told her.
Harrison sent half the troops back to royal lands and the other half to accompany them to the bay, where King Dagur awaited with his fleet. Aerity and the others arrived just after Volgan. She slid down from her horse, grabbed her skirts, and ran as quickly as she could up the gangway to the royal Ascomannian’s boat with Vixie and Wyneth behind her.
King Dagur, who’d just finished speaking with Volgan, came to her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Have no worries, Queen Aerity. Your brother and the rest of your royal family are safe on the isle.”
Vixie and Wyneth let out sounds of joy.
Aerity exhaled in a shudder, pressing a hand to her stomach. “You’re certain?”
“We’ve been keeping constant watch. Your navy is sending a vessel for their return journey this very moment.”
Aerity was near tears, but held them back. “Thank you. I cannot thank you enough, Your Majesty. I don’t think I can ever repay you for all you’ve done.”
A sly grin came to his face and she had to press her hand harder into her belly. She knew he had every intention of being repaid, and promptly.
“Will you please join us at the castle to eat and rest?” she asked, trying to keep her voice strong.
“I will,” he said.
Aerity curtsied, and the king bowed. She turned and hugged her sister and Wyneth quickly. Then they grasped their skirts and turned to go. When she reached the shore, she felt Paxton watching her from atop his horse, but with King Dagur’s words of repayment ringing in her ears, she could not look at him. She didn’t want him to see the desperation she felt at the thought of losing him. A soft snow began to fall and she was thankful for an excuse to raise her hood.
“They are safe,” she said softly.
“Thank the seas.”
The entire way back to royal lands, despite the beauty and peace of the snowfall, Aerity fought her emotions. Thiswasn’t the end of the world for her. It’s what all princesses and queens had to do before her father’s time. And though she wanted to marry no one but Paxton, she knew her options could be much worse. After nearly being forced to wed Prince Vito, Lord Alvi was a shining gem of a prospect. She owed this to her allies and the people. But still . . . her heart wept.
She pulled her cloak tighter as winds from the seas picked up, sending snow sideways. What would Paxton do now? Would he return to his village? If she asked him to stay in the castle, and provided him with work, she knew he would probably accept. And if Lord Alvi was sure to take mistresses, could she not have Paxton as well? But wrongness and guilt filled her at the thought of carrying on a secret relationship. That was no way for them to live.
These thoughts tumbled through her mind on their journey back to royal lands where they entered through the northern gates. It gave her great joy to see her castle intact, but then she saw the piles of bodies and soldiers moving more dead to clear a path. Smoldering piles of rubbish lay beneath windows, and Aerity’s blood boiled as she realized what had happened.
“What have they done?” Vixie cried. “They burned our things?”
“By the seas,” Wyneth whispered. “Disgraceful.”
“What matters is that we are safe,” Aerity said, just as much for her own hearing. Even if the entire castle had been dismantled, they were alive.
“Has anyone seen Tiern or the Zandalee yet?” Paxton asked.
“Someone said they were inside the castle,” a soldier told them.
Vixie beamed and leaned forward, her horse shooting down the path toward the castle, spraying up powdery snow.
Aerity stopped and turned to Harrison. “Have a proclamation sent to the towns at once to let them know the war is over. The Rocato woman and the imposter Prince Vito have been slain, and their bodies will be on display. Let them know we will have a coronation celebration in a week’s time. And as of today the laws against Lashed magic are lifted for purposes of healing. Full details of new laws will be issued shortly. Also”—she swallowed—“details of a royal wedding will be announced very soon.”
Harrison gave her a tight nod and cantered away. Aerity could look at no one. She turned toward the castle and continued on.
