Page 107 of Kingdom of Locks

“Well then,” said Aurelia briskly. “I don’t understand the problem. Although it might be worth waiting until my hair grows back a little before presenting me to the populace at large.”

Amell pressed his lips to her forehead, and she felt his smile against her skin. “Perhaps a long engagement will be enough to satisfy any concerns.”

“If we have to,” sighed Aurelia.

Amell lowered his head so that his lips brushed her ear. “Nottoolong an engagement,” he murmured.

And then his lips were on hers, and she forgot everything, Cyfrin’s malice, Amell’s wound, her own weariness. All she knew was that she was finally out in the world, and she got to share the endless vista of new experiences with the wonderful man who had become her world.

“So, just to be clear,” Princess Tora said, the moment they emerged from the bookcase, clutching hands and looking a little sheepish, “youaregoing to marry a princess, Amell?”

“That’s the plan,” he said happily, tightening his arm around Aurelia’s shoulders.

“And form an alliance with Albury?”

Amell looked a little taken aback. “I suppose so. I mean, I guess King Justin will have to agree to that.”

“I’m sure he will,” said Princess Tora brightly. She turned to her mother. “If Amell secures an alliance, Mother, does that mean I don’t have to?”

“Honestly, Tora,” huffed the queen, looking flustered at the public nature of the exchange. “It was never a matter ofhavingto. I only suggested that—”

“Because I don’t want to marry a prince,” Princess Tora announced over the top of her. “I want to marry a guard.” She glanced at Furn. “If, you know…one will have me.”

Aurelia watched on in astonishment, sure that there was a great deal of background she knew nothing about. Amell was tense beside her, his gaze fixed on his guard.

“Princess Tora,” Furn murmured, looking tortured. “You know I can’t…I mean,Iknow I can’t. However much I might wish…”

“Might wish to what, Furn?” Princess Tora asked calmly.

The guard met the princess’s eyes, and before Aurelia’s gaze, the agitation in his frame melted away. His posture straightened, his general air became unruffled, and his eyes were calm.

“And there’s our Furn,” muttered Amell.

“I have loved you for a long time, Princess Tora,” the guard said evenly. “I admire you in every particular. I don’t know how any man could fail to do so. I have no expectations. I’m perfectly aware of the futility of my suit. But if it distresses you to think I’m indifferent, it’s worth the pain of failure to assure you that I am not.”

“Oh Furn,” sighed Princess Tora. “That was incredibly romantic.”

For a moment the guard looked taken aback, then a slow smile spread over his face. “I’m glad you think so,” he said, his eyes warm as they rested on the princess.

“Tora,” gasped the queen. “You are making a spectacle of yourself, throwing yourself at a guard in a public place.”

Furn’s expression set slightly, and Aurelia’s heart went out to him.

“I know, Mother, but Furn doesn’t even mind me making a spectacle,” Princess Tora pointed out. “Surely that’s a sign that he’s the one for me.”

“Tora,” the queen said repressively.

“He saved my life earlier, if it helps,” the princess offered.

“And,” Amell jumped in, “he’s my closest and most trusted friend, and the very best man I know. The idea has my full support, Mother, and surely that must help a little.”

Furn threw a surprised look at the prince, gratitude clear on his face.

The queen’s expression had softened ever so slightly, but she just raised her chin, glancing at her husband, who was distracted with responding to the chaos around him. “We will speak more of it later,” said Queen Pietra with dignity.

“That’s a foot in the door,” Princess Tora informed Furn brightly. “Which, to be frank, is all I need.”

The guard made no move toward her, but the look in his eyes as they rested on the princess made Aurelia look away, feeling like an intruder.

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