Page 109 of Kingdom of Locks

Imelda’s warm voice brought a smile to Amell’s face. His soon-to-be mother-in-law had come a long way since her initial horror at discovering the identity of Felicity’s husband. She looked perfectly at ease now, with her grandson in her arms and a sparkle in her eye.

Amell wasn’t surprised—he’d felt no doubt that the woman who’d raised someone as warm-hearted as Aurelia would thaw under the kind and gentle treatment Justin had shown her since the group’s arrival in Albury. In spite of his own words of reassurance to Imelda, Amell had been quite amazed to see the depth of transformation in the once cold young king. He’d never known Justin well before—perhaps he’d always placed too much reliance on the Alburian’s reputation.

“He’s just about perfect, isn’t he?” Justin said now, gazing at his newborn son with a warmth that seemed designed to confirm Amell’s thoughts.

“Of course he’s perfect,” laughed Felicity. “He’s ours.” She cast her eyes around. “Where’s his Aunt Aurelia? I promised her a cuddle before the christening.”

“I’m here!” Aurelia appeared from behind Amell, where she’d been speaking with Gustav and Ambrose, Imelda’s husband and son.

Amell gave the pair a slightly awkward smile. He still hadn’t had much opportunity to get to know these new members of Aurelia’s family. And he winced a little whenever he thought of how he’d unwillingly witnessed Gustav’s reunion with his wife. Eavesdropping had been the last thing Amell intended, but he’d been present when the merchant and his son arrived in frantic haste at the castle in Fernford, and Gustav had seemed unable to restrain himself as he took his wife in his arms and wept openly.

It had been heartwarming as well as awkward, Amell acknowledged to himself. He didn’t know their full story, but he’d been moved by Gustav’s response when Imelda had burst into tears of her own, then apologized for falling apart. Nothing could have been gentler than the way her husband chastised her for apologizing, or more earnest than his confession that he had been shamefully weak without her, that Felicity had been the one to be strong for them all, and that it was his turn to be strong.

Imelda had wept freely after that, and it had done Amell’s heart good to see her leaning against someone for a change, instead of feeling the need to carry so much weight on her own shoulders. He couldn’t even begin to imagine the process they would have to go through after seventeen years of separation, but having seen Imelda’s strength of mind and heart, he had faith that they would find their way.

He hadn’t witnessed Imelda’s reunion with Felicity, but Aurelia had, and it had been clear to him that the young Alburian queen had instantly embraced Aurelia as a sister, a fact which brought Amell great joy. He knew Aurelia had been afraid that Imelda’s family would resent her for being given a childhood with the mother they’d lost, and he was relieved that they’d shown no hint of reproach.

He shook his head slightly, smiling as his eyes rested on Aurelia. Only she would focus on the gift of Imelda as a mother instead of the theft of everything else Cyfrin had taken. Although, he reflected soberly, thinking of the rumors he’d heard about Justin’s childhood with his father, perhaps in some ways, Aurelia had been better off away from Albury’s castle.

And now, he thought with satisfaction, he was carrying her away to live in the castle in Fernedell with him. She was to stay on in Albury for some months after the christening, to spend time with Imelda and the rest of their delightfully complicated and multi-layered family. He knew he’d miss her, but he would never begrudge her the opportunity. And when she returned to Fernedell, it would be to make it her home.

Aurelia’s delighted laugh brought Amell’s attention to the infant in her arms.

“He’s so squishy!” she declared. “And soft.” She leaned down, nuzzling her face into the wisp of copper hair that curled up from the baby prince’s head.

“I told you babies are extremely cuddly, didn’t I?” Imelda said in satisfaction. “And I told you that you would get to cuddle one someday.”

“You were right on both counts,” Aurelia informed her, love shining from her eyes as she gazed at the baby. The image woke something powerful in Amell, and his heart ached with a bizarre and potent combination of satisfaction and longing. There was so much to look forward to, and they had all the time in the world.

“Look at you,” came a voice from behind him. “You almost look like you’re standing still.”

Amell turned to see Princess Zinnia of Entolia grinning at him.

He chuckled. “An illusion, I promise. I still drive my mother crazy with my ‘unseemly energy’. Nice that you could come to the christening.”

“Entolia must be represented,” Zinnia said lightly. She cast her gaze around the pleasant castle garden where the various royal guests had been invited to partake of a luncheon prior to the ceremony. Roses bloomed on all sides, their scent settling over the whole scene. “Besides, I wanted to congratulate you. And to thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

“For what?” Amell asked, surprised.

“For unearthing an extra princess from somewhere, and convincing her to marry you,” Zinnia said dryly.

Amell laughed. “Lets us both off the hook, doesn’t it?”

She nodded sagely. “Not that Basil would ever push me to marry anyone—it pays having an easygoing brother as your king instead of an uptight father—but that doesn’t stop Mother from hinting frequently about eligible princes. Fortunately the only ones left now are Mistrans. We already have a pretty ironclad alliance with Mistra, so hopefully I’ll get a break from all the nudges.”

“You and Tora should talk,” Amell smiled. “She got more than her share of that as well.”

“But not anymore?” Zinnia asked curiously, her eyes passing to where Tora and Furn stood nearby.

Amell followed her gaze. The former guard was no longer in uniform, but he held himself with his habitual alertness, and the way he hovered around the princess left no doubt in Amell’s mind that he would spot any danger a mile before it reached her.

“No, not anymore,” Amell said, watching the pair in satisfaction. “It took some convincing, but Mother has come around to her choice.”

“I recognize him,” said Zinnia suddenly. “Wasn’t he your personal guard?”

Amell nodded. “Yes, it’s cheeky of Tora to poach him. But he was my friend more than my guard. And I decided it was worth losing a guard to gain a brother.”

“Very magnanimous of you,” said Zinnia, her lips twitching. Her eyes returned to the couple. “Sounds like there’s a story there.”

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