Page 129 of A Kingdom Restored

Merletta’s bare feet touched sand, and she moved forward on the arranged route, straight toward the water. The onlookers were gathered on the sand, but Merletta tried not to look too closely at them all. She did catch sight of Elfin and his wife, and sent them a small smile. She was still early in the process of getting to know them, but it meant a great deal to her to have some of her birth family present on such an important day. Then her eyes darted ahead, and all other thoughts fled, her breath hitching when she finally caught sight of the man waiting for her.

She’d expected Heath to be on the sand, but he was so close to the waterline that the waves lapped over his feet and ankles. Merletta’s heart swelled as she understood his silent message—her future with him didn’t require her to leave the ocean behind. He would straddle the line of land and sea with her, embracing both.

His face was glowing, his dark hair cropped neatly, and his beard now permanently grown in. He wasn’t dressed with any great formality—the light tunic he wore was plenty thick enough for the warm air. And his eyes were fixed on her with intoxicating intensity.

Merletta forgot about everyone else, needing no more reminder that today, therewasonly one opinion that really mattered. The love in Heath’s eyes was a mirror of her own, drawing her across the sand to him as irresistibly as the tide.

The ceremony passed in a blur, even the unfamiliar part making Merletta’s heart sing. She knew the words were the legal requirement to make the union binding in Valoria as well as the triple kingdoms.

Heath was hers, and she was his, and no one above or below water would be able to dispute that after today.

She hadn’t expected the invitation at the end for Heath to kiss her, but she reflected as he pressed his lips triumphantly to hers that it was the very best kind of surprise.

“We did it,” Heath whispered, pulling back to the sound of their audience’s celebration. “I can hardly believe we’ve made it here.”

“It was very much against the odds,” Merletta agreed, smiling blissfully up at him.

“I don’t know.” Heath’s eyes were deliciously warm as he lifted an errant strand of hair from Merletta’s neck. “I’d never bet against you.”

They turned to accept the congratulations of the crowd, Percival the first to grip his brother’s arm, and sweep Merletta into a powerful hug.

“Well, there had to be one time in your life that you beat me at something, Heath,” he said jovially. “And I certainly can’t fault your choice.”

Heath rolled his eyes, but returned his brother’s smile. “I’ll keep an eye out for a nice mermaid for you, so you don’t feel too eclipsed by me.”

Percival laughed. “I think I’d do best to look for a Valorian wife,” he said good-naturedly. “But thanks for the offer.”

Merletta smiled as Percival slapped his brother on the back. She’d half expected the young lord to declare a desire for escape or adventure, as Bianca had done. But from all Heath had told her, Percival’s focus was very much elsewhere, as he took a real interest in his duties as his father’s heir for the first time in his life. A quick glance at the duke showed pride in his eyes as he regarded both his sons. It was a happy sight.

Even Heath’s grandparents, elderly as they were, had made the voyage to attend the wedding. And, to Merletta’s relief, she no longer saw any trace of the concern that had lingered on the elderly princess’s face when she’d first met Merletta. On the contrary, Heath’s grandmother looked utterly delighted as her gaze rested on her grandson and his bride.

“Congratulations, my dragonfriend.” Reka’s gravelly voice caused half the guests to still as it rumbled over the now-milling crowd.

Heath and Merletta both looked up at the only dragon in attendance.

“Thank you, Reka,” Heath said gravely. “And thank you for your part in our happiness. It would have been hard to find a way forward without your assistance.” His expression grew more somber. “I hope you know how much I appreciate the sacrifice you made.”

“Sacrifice is a weighty word for a decision that was most likely always part of my future,” Reka said lightly. “I do not regret my decision.” He lowered his head, his gaze passing thoughtfully over them both. “I suspect I will miss you when you are dust in the ground. That is, perhaps, one cost to my choice. But,” his tone brightened, “I will most likely continue our friendship through your offspring.”

“Thank you, Reka,” Heath said, his tone dry this time. Merletta squeezed his hand, choking back a laugh.

“You are welcome,” Rekavidur said serenely. “On that matter, I am curious to see what offspring you will produce. Presumably they will receive both the ability to transform from their mother and the seed of magic from their father. The future of Vazula will be unlike any past that has come before.”

Merletta exchanged a look with Heath. The image was a little unnerving, but it was also exciting. Tantalizing, she would have said not long ago. Except now, for the first time, it was truly within reach.

Rekavidur raised his snout upward and sniffed at the wind. “I am glad you discovered what you first wished to know of this place, Heath—what became of its human inhabitants, and the magic they possessed. But I confess myself unsatisfied.”

“Why?” Heath demanded.

Reka’s head lowered slowly. “I wish to know what became of the dragons. A small colony lived here, and then they went elsewhere. I know from the history of my own colony that they did not return to Wyvern Islands.”

“The sealed memories didn’t say, did they?” mused Heath.

Reka snaked his long neck from side to side. “They did not. The only information they contained was the colony’s intention to travel east. So east I shall go.”

“You’re leaving?” Heath demanded, his hand tightening in Merletta’s. “What, now?”

Reka nodded serenely. “I catch the scent of discovery in my nostrils. There is more to learn, and although I have an endless amount of time in which to learn it, I find myself eager to begin.”

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