She curtsied and then they took hands to say good-bye. His face was still strained with distress when he left them, followed by his officers. Aerity motioned for her guards to leave them. The moment the door closed, Wyneth and Vixie flew out of their seats and ran, plowing into her. Together, the three of them held tight, murmuring as quietly as possible.
“Did that really happen?” Aerity whispered. Her skin felt ready to explode from the inside.
“Aye, that Lief,” Wyneth said with a shake of her head. “I think our Lochlan ways may have rubbed off on him after all.”
“I worry for him,” Aerity murmured.
“He is in pain,” Wyneth said. “But I don’t believe this was a spontaneous decision. In time he will thrive here. He is already revered.”
Vixie took her hand. “Be at peace, Aer. Think of what this means for you.”
Queen Aerity felt a heady rush of jubilance. “I’ve got to tell Paxton!”
“Go, go!” Vixie shoved her, and clasped her hands beneath her chin. Wyneth beamed beside her.
Aerity sprinted to the door and then stopped to calm herself. She ran a hand over her hair and down her gown, then put on a serious face and opened the door.
Nothing had the potential to make Vixie cry torrents more than joy. She knew it was not going to be pretty, so she slipped into the nearest quiet room she could find, the library. Vixie flounced into an oversized chair and let the wailing commence. Not all was happy and well—her parents would never be back and so many had died—but her sister was going to have true love now. It was so beautiful, it hurt.
She was not at all fit for company when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Vixie jumped to her feet and sniffled loudly, wiping her nose with the back of her hand, and then her eyes. Tiern stood there.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t want to disturb you, but I came to check on you and found you crying. I couldn’t not say something.”
His rambling was adorable, but her cheeks still flamed with embarrassment.
“It’s all right. I’m actually happy.”
He tilted his head. “You were sobbing uncontrollably because you’re happy?”
She sighed. “Well, aye, you see, because—”
“I present,” said a booming voice from the library entrance, “Prince Hanriil of—”
“She knows who I am.” Prince Hanriil grinned at her, flanked by a handful of soldiers as he swept into the room. His smile fell. “Have you been crying, Princess?”
Oh, for the love of the seas!
“Nay. I mean, aye, but I am fine. I promise. Just overwhelmed, I suppose.”
The prince looked at Tiern now, with a touch of annoyance in his features. “Please leave us. I wish to speak to the princess alone.”
Vixie and Tiern both went still. And then Tiern nodded his head.
“Aye, Your Highness.”
Tiern then turned to Vixie and quickly leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a chaste, albeit intimate way. Then he gave her a quick grin and turned, bowing to the stunned prince before leaving them. Her heart swelled to bursting.
“Do you always allow commoners tokissyou?” The prince sounded appalled.
“Nay,” Vixie said. “Only that one.”
“Is he courting you?”
“Aye.”He is now.
The prince paused. “Are you open to being courted by others?”
“Not at this time, Your Highness.”
