Page 96 of Falling Princess

The doors grated open, and I was astonished to be greeted by hundreds of Keryn’s people.

The leader of the Mountain Folk blinked in the bright light. Their red hair flowed out over a cape made from a maned tiger skin fell down their back, complete with the head.

“We’ve come to collect Bashir. Has his presence been useful to you?” Keryn asked.

“Very much so,” I replied, though he hasn’t been, to be perfectly honest. The kind of protection we need has little to do with brute force—at least, as far as I know. Still, this was a moment for diplomacy, not reporting on Bashir’s marijuana habit. He’ll be going cold-turkey unless he smuggled some of that crap into the country. If I find out he did, we’ll have words about the risk of introducing invasive plants. “We are grateful for your people’s support.”

Keryn nodded. “It is an honor to have one of our own included in your party. I will see your father at Midwinter.”

“And I, you,” I replied, respectfully. My first reminder that I have yet to compose a speech, and that there will be a ball this year, held at the castle. Probably cover for war planning. I wonder if I’ll get to sit in on the Council’s secret meeting.

Should I insist upon it? Or will showing an interest in my hereditary role thrust me into a leadership position I’m not ready for?

Maybe once I have my degree I’ll feel more prepared to be queen. I’m not sure anything could make me feel equipped to take on that burden, though.

Bashir loped away, welcomed home as a hero among his people. Porters placed our bags into the small tram carts. It’s such an odd contrast to the banality of airports and luggage carousels, as though we have stepped through time hundreds of years into history by coming home.

We traveled through the mountain and down the other side of the pass into the Timberlands. At the Rielka Bridge, Lorcan and Raina split off, headed west to River Bend.

“I’ll see you at Midwinter?” I was reluctant to let him go, and I didn’t care who saw it anymore.

Lorcan smiled, took my proffered hand, and made a show of kissing the back of my glove. Snowflakes glinted in his hair and on his lashes, reminding me of that day in Princes Street Gardens.

“I wouldn’t miss your speech for anything.”

I couldn’t conceal my eye roll. He knows full well I haven’t begun to draft it yet. Teasing me, again, with his subtle humor.

“Give my best to your family,” I said.

Whom I have never met, and likely never will, unless things drastically change. Lorcan swung into his saddle and nudged his mount ahead to ride even with Raina’s coach. His horse sank knee-deep into the snow.

When I turned, Cata’s smirk prompted me to ask indignantly, “What?”

“Not such an island to yourself anymore, are you?”

My cold cheeks heated. “I suppose not.”

“Took him long enough to win you over. Thought Lorcan had lost his touch there for a while.” Cata handed off her mount to one of the porters.

“Is he…” I have no idea how to ask what I want to know. Does Lorcan sleep around, essentially. If he does, it will make me feel less, well, special. It’s not my business; he can do as he pleases. He owes me nothing. But I feel a bit fragile on this score, on account of my own inexperience.

“Does he have a girl in every town?” Cata supplied, slyly. “Not that I’ve ever heard of. Plenty of admirers, but he’s as elusive as the mordecam.” The legendary beast that supposedly threatened the Goddess Auralia’s life in her mortal form. No one has ever documented its existence, and yet sightings circulate periodically. It’s like Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster. “I understand he only has eyes for one woman, who until recently wanted nothing to do with him.”

My face flamed.

“If she’s smart, said princess will continue wanting nothing to do with his scrawny ass,” Kenton interjected.

“Jealous, flyboy?” Cata winked. I haven’t seen her happy like this in months. Since before the safe house.

“Of Lorcan? Never. Just for that, I’m heading out.” Kenton jerked his head at the dark silhouette of the castle looming in the distance. “Nothing will happen to you between now and when you meet the rest of the guards, and I have a long journey ahead.”

The Timberlands, his home district, is several hours’ ride east. He’ll be lucky if he reaches the main town, Nansier, before midnight. The luggage crew will be a day behind him, as they have fallen behind us, too.

“Happy Midwinter!” I called after him. Kenton kicked his horse into a trot and took off down the path ahead. Royal guards in formal uniforms fell into formation around my waiting coach. I was sore from six hours in the saddle. Unused muscles. I should have signed up for the equestrian team at school, not that I had the time this term, with my heavy class load.

To my surprise, Cata went with Raina once I was safely handed off to the royal guard.

“You’re leaving?”

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