Page 99 of Enchanted Heir
He held up a hand and popped it outward. Navy magic slowly shot to the sky in bright fireworks, falling to the ground in swooping motions that reminded me of the willow tree in the castle gardens. But as the magic fell lower yet, it formed snowflakes, gently falling to the ground. I’d seen him use his magic numerous times before, but this was slower. Not even the horses were scared, so he had meant what he said about truly trying not to scare them.
“Goodnight, all,” I smiled, speaking to no one in particular but feeling like I should speak up. I turned toward the orphanage children. “It was so good to see you all.” I held my hand out shoulder level and waited for the magic heading for it to hit my palm.
I saw one woman looking on in horror as the magic neared my hand.
I kept looking at her as I held my hand out. As soon as one flake touched my palm, they all vanished. I smiled at her, brought my fingers in one at a time, and then brought my hand back down.
My mother gasped next to me.
“Now who’s the showoff?” Krew whispered as he placed his hand on my lower back and spun me toward the carriage.
I squinted at him and smiled. “What can I say, your smugness is contagious.”
He laughed as he opened the door for my mother and me.
“Jorah,” my mother exclaimed as soon as we all sat down. “I had no idea your Iron Will could work like that.” She shook her head aggressively. “You are almost inversely as powerful as he is.”
I laughed. “No, Mother. No. Not at all.”
Krew just shrugged.
Once on our street, our little cottage had never looked smaller. Krew helped us both down from the carriage.
“Goodnight, Mrs. Demir,” Krew said kindly. “Thank you for staying out late with us.”
Her response was to throw her arms around Krew and hug him. “No.Thank you.”
He awkwardly patted her back, obviously still not used to these Demir women and their random huggings.
She hugged me next. “It was great to see you, my daughter. And it was great to see you laugh so much. I love you.”
“I love you, Mother,” I smiled back. “Stay safe.”
“You too, dear. You too.”
As soon as she was in the house and the door shut, we climbed back into the carriage.
Once alone in the carriage with Krew, I leaned back on the seat, feeling the weight of the day and how late it already was with a three-hour trip back.
“Thank you for today,” he said gently as the horses took off, rocking the carriage forward. “I truly like it here.”
I turned toward him, grabbing his hand.
Sensing I was about to say something important, he let go only to put up a sound barrier. One like earlier, it barely contained just the two of us.
“Before I fall asleep, I need say something,” I began.
“All right.”
“You arenothinglike your father.” I looked him directly in the eyes as I said it. “You were kind. You were not asserting your dominance over them. You were just one of us tonight. Something your father would never have taken the time to do.” I paused. “I have never been more proud to call you ‘My Prince’ than I was tonight.”
The last word was barely out of my mouth before his lips were crushing into mine.
“You—” he stopped talking to kiss me again. “Aretenacious.” Another kiss. “You remind me of why this cause is necessary at every turn.” Another kiss. “And yet you motivate me beyond measure to find myself alive at its end.”
I grabbed his tailcoat for dear life.
He kissed me again. “I do not care where you wish to end up. Here. There. Or somewhere in between.I needyou, Jorah.”
