He paused again, as if baffled by the entire scenario. “Well, all right. I came to say my good-byes. We return to Toresta today.”
Vixie lowered into a deep curtsy. “Thank you, Prince Hanriil. You are brave and worthy. May the seas be with you.”
He bowed. “And the winds with you.”
Aerity walked with her chin up toward the guest quarters. Thankfully the guards and soldiers were all so busy with cleanup that they hadn’t yet taken to watching her like a hawk. When she saw Harrison and Lief walking together, the strife between them seeming to have vanished, she cocked her head toward the portico at the end of the hall. They followed her into the opening, and she turned on Lief.
“What were you thinking? Your homeland!”
He shrugged lightly. “I was going to live here anyway, wasn’t I?”
She stared at him. The fear and nervousness he’d displayed in front of the king were gone. “But . . . yourhonor. I never meant for you to do this, I swear it.”
He cupped her cheek, as he’d done on so many kind moments before. “I know. You would have never asked or expected it, and for that I respect you.”
“Then why?” she asked.
He got a sort of capricious look on his face as he released her. “I suppose I wanted to know what it’d feel like . . . to sacrifice something big for one deserving person.”
“I fear you will regret it,” she whispered.
“Your Majesty!” called a voice from down the hall. Aerity popped her head out and saw Caitrin with six other maids.She waved, so glad to see them. The maids rushed down the hall and Caitrin took her hands. The girls all had red eyes as if they’d been crying, but they were all smiles now.
“Oh, Your Majesty! We came as soon as we heard! The seas have blessed our kingdom! We’re so happy you’re safe.”
Aerity smiled. “Indeed, we are so very blessed.”
“I’m sorry to have interrupted you, my queen,” Caitrin said, her eyes darting up to Lief. She released her hands and curtsied. The other girls did the same. When they stood they smiled at her, and then their eyes all seemed to flitter up to Duke Alvi before they turned and dashed away. Down the hall Aerity heard several of them giggle. She turned and caught a grin on Lief’s face.
“No,” he said. “I won’t regret it.”
“Oh, you!” Aerity smacked his arm and Harrison laughed, shaking his head.
“Thank you, though,” Lief said to Aerity. “For the lands. That is more than generous.”
She hugged him around the waist and he hugged her back. He would make a good addition to Lochlanach. “Just don’t break too many of my maidens’ hearts.”
He chuckled, making no promises. She pulled away and looked at the two of them.
“Have you seen Paxton?”
Harrison nodded. “He and Tiern are in the third guest chambers.”
“Tell him I saidyou’re welcome!” Lief called as she turned and ran.
She smiled widely, despite the heat that filled her cheeks. She felt strangely nervous as she stopped in front of the third door and knocked, then adjusted the gem in her circlet. Tiern opened the door and bowed when he saw her.
“Congratulations on your victory, Your Majesty,” he said.
She gave a small nod. “The victory is all of ours. Thank you, Tiern.”
“I’ve just come from the library. Your sister was crying, apparently happy tears?”
Aerity smiled. “She tends to do that.”
She was about to inquire about Paxton, when he peeked out from behind the door and saw her. He was shirtless, drying his wet hair with a towel. He pushed the door open and came forward, nearly shoving Tiern out of the way.
“What’s wrong?”
