Stella
Magic pulsed through me as I regained control over my body. I swallowed and pressed my tongue against my soft inner cheeks and the firm roof of my mouth. Blinking, I took in the intense sunlight highlighting the white and lavender bedspread, the yellow flowers in a teal vase on the nightstand next to a leather bound volume, the intricate embroidery on Fernando’s violet vest. A few days in darkness, and vision both overwhelmed and delighted my senses.
Fernando gasped, then gathered my hands into his.
I opened my mouth to speak, but struggled to form words. My voice cracked.
Bolin’s stories kept the horrific memories of Fernando’s mangled body from the forefront of my thoughts, but the fear for him never dissipated. I’d tried to stifle the desire for him, yet I couldn’t stop caring. Risking my life to return his … not saving him never crossed my mind.
Dampness coated his gaze.
“You woke up,” he whispered.
I might have laughed at his obvious statement if his tone hadn’t been filled with awe.
He released my palms to stroke his thumb down my cheek. He didn’t have to say anything. His relief was palpable, permeating the room like a perfume.
“Do you remember me?”
I tilted my head, then slowly nodded.
A deep sigh heaved from his chest. He bent to press his forehead to mine. The touch sent my heartbeat surging.
He pulled back. I reached for him, but my weak limbs disobeyed my wishes. He cleared his throat.
“I’m sure it will take time for you to fully recover, but once you do … You’re free, Stella. As King of Astralind, I’ve undone the requirement that you must serve this household. You are welcome here, of course. But you may go wherever you want now. Perhaps you’ll find your family.”
So, he meant what he said while I was comatose. He’d granted me freedom the moment he attained power.
A sob hiccuped in my throat, even as frustration heated my blood at my inability to communicate. The voice in my head had told me I would never regain what was lost. The mission remained as my only future.
As much as I loved him, I’d leave once I regained enough strength to walk.
Prince Fernando (some hours later)
I rubbed my temples as I stared at the stack of parchments requiring my attention. My father had impressed upon me the absolute need to keep up with communication between the neighboring kingdoms, and Astralini city lords, yet a precursory glance at a handful of documents revealed he’d let dozens of urgent decisions sit untouched.
A malignant illness wiped out several hundred horses in Damai’s westernmost region. King Liu’s master of animal wellness had sent a list of beginning symptoms along with the suggestion to putting down any beasts showing signs of the disease. Apparently, it was highly contagious. He requested mineral powders to aid in the endeavor to save their herds.
Another parchment discussed a rebellion against the nobility in our coastal towns. Why hadn’t my father sent a regiment to quell the violence? This must be dealt with. Now.
“Guard, send for Prince Lorenzo,” I ordered.
“Yes, your Majesty.”
I looked over several more parchments while I waited for him. We needed to recruit more king’s guards for the villa and palace according to a note from the Head Guard.
General Candreva, leader of the entire Astralini Infantry, demanded the last quarter’s payment to the armies. Desertion was at an all-time high because of late wages.
I threw the letters onto the desk and growled in irritation. I’d inherited a crumbling kingdom. The worst part? I should have noticed unrest in the military and overheard gossip about the affliction plaguing Damai.
Lorenzo entered the study and glanced at the open windows, a departure from our late father’s preference for darkness.
“You called?”
I didn’t correct the missing ‘your majesty.’ We had bigger issues than perfecting etiquette.
“Did father divulge any of this to you?” I asked, motioning toward the splayed documents.
He shook his head. “As much as he taunted you about giving the crown to me, he only delegated royal duties to you. ‘You don’t have the brains to understand politics.’”
I grimaced at how he imitated father’s intonation. My brother was young and finished the rigorous academics expected of a prince with the potential to ascend the throne. I’d seen his writing, played games of strategy with him, and teased him with difficult mathematical calculations. His abilities rivaled my own.
“He was wrong.” I stood from the desk and leaned against the dark wood. “I’m sending soldiers to terminate a rebellion between the citizens and nobles of three coastal towns. Will you accompany them?”
Lorenzo’s eyes widened in surprise. “You want me to go?”
I nodded. “I’d ride out myself, but these,” I tapped the disheveled papers, “require a king’s response.”
His throat bobbed.
My brother had never seen battle. He’d not even come with the royal hunting parties. I understood his trepidation, but I needed him. We’d survived our father’s madness, and now we had to put this kingdom back together.
“I expect minimal bloodshed,” I said gently. “And if you’re present, you can make sure it is as peaceful as possible.”
His jaw clenched in what I assumed was determination. He met my gaze.
“I’ll go.”
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