“Aerity,” Paxton called.
She gritted her teeth and slowed her horse so he could catch up. He rode alongside her in silence for a moment before speaking low enough for only her to hear.
“I will return to Cape Creek today.”
“No,” she said in a rush, then scolded herself. White snowflakes covered his dark hair and she wanted to brush them away. “Please, Pax. Stay until . . . I want as much time with you as I can.”
His eyes reflected her own need and anguish. “I worry that the more time we spend together, the harder it will be.”
She shook her head obstinately. “Don’t leave. I’m not ready.” Her heart was on the brink of shattering.
He stared at her a moment longer before inclining his chin. “All right, then. I will stay until it is time.”
She shut her eyes. She knew she was torturing them both by prolonging the inevitable, but everything inside her clung to him. Together, they faced forward and rode to the gardens, where they dismounted. She pressed her lips tightly at the sight of piled bodies along the hedges, a layer of snow covering them in a show of macabre beauty. There seemed to be no place on royal lands where blood had not been shed. She turned away from the sight.
Inside the castle, Aerity was appalled by the damage the Kalorians had done. It seemed every room held broken or defaced heirlooms, paintings, or furniture. And while it pained her, it also satisfied her to know they would never be able to do this to anyone else again.
Only a few maids and kitchen staff had received news of their victory and returned to the castle. She was thankful to find the baker already inside the kitchen, warming the ovens.
“I knew we’d win this, Your Majesty,” he told Aerity with glad tears in his eyes. “I knew good would prevail.” He cracked eggs into flour and began kneading with shaking hands. It would take a while to feel safe again.
“Bless you, chef,” Aerity said, trying not to get emotional.
Vixie appeared upset when she found Aerity in the hall. “He slept in Mum and Papa’s chambers. It—it doesn’t smell like them anymore.”
Agony tormented Aerity’s heart. “The maids are gone. We’ll find clean sheets in the laundry rooms and air it out ourselves.”
“I’ll get the sheets,” Vixie said, squaring her shoulders in a show of stoicism. “And some for the rest of us as well. My chamber stinks of a filthy man.”
“Thank you.” Aerity stopped her sister with a hand on her arm. “I’m proud of you.”
Vixie gave her a weak smile and hurried away. Aerity was standing there in the middle of the hall, staring into nothingness, when Wyneth approached and swept her tangled hair back from her shoulder.
“Will you be all right, Cousin?”
“I have to be all right, don’t I?” She tried to smile.
“To the public, aye. But not to me.”
Aerity’s voice shook. “Then I am not all right, Wyn. Not at all.”
Wyneth pulled her into a tight embrace. Neither said a word, but they gave and received each other’s comfort, which was the only thing they had to offer. Aerity was grateful for it. She pulled herself together and wiped her cheeks.
“I’ve got to wash my face and brush my hair and change my clothes before King Dagur arrives.”
“I’ll dress and join you in your chambers to walk together.”
They turned at the sound of footsteps jogging down the hall toward them: Harrison looking dashing and healthy. Wyneth beamed as she watched him. His eyes held hers with warmth before moving to Aerity.
“The tunnels have been searched and are secured. The exit north of royal lands has been filled and sealed. A Lochlan vessel has been sent to the Isle of Evie to bring back your family.”
Wyneth clasped her hands and Aerity nodded.
“Very good. Thank you, Harrison.”
“Aye, Your Majesty.”
Aerity left the two of them ogling each other as she returned to her chambers. She was happy that at least the two of them would get their happy ending.
