Page 35 of Lost Heir
He smirked. “Once I learned you were on your way to Valoria, I returned to Ellyndor for some … business. I figured you would be safe now that you had been found by your people.”
“Why didn’t you free Selene?” I whispered. “We made a deal—”
“And I would have kept my word if your brother hadn’t beat me to it,” he whispered back. “I’m assuming she’s in his care?”
“No. He promised to give her the slave release documents, although he hasn’t done it yet.” I glanced around for any eavesdroppers. “Did you come with the elders from Ellyndor?”
He nodded. “All of Asteria is here to see the lost princess. No one would dare miss this spectacle.”
I snorted. “I bet.”
“Tell me, Princess, is there any gossip you’d care to share?” He raised a mischievous brow.
I pushed him lightly on the shoulder. “No. Life has been relatively … boring since I arrived,” I lied. I had no intention of divulging my affair with Ronan to him. Especially not in front of everyone. I didn’t know who was listening.
A court lady came by with a tray of wine and I flagged her down. Grabbing a cup, I chugged it all in one go andslammed the cup back on the tray. “Apologies,” I offered sheepishly. The lady nodded and scurried away. I needed some liquid courage if I was going to get through the night.
“I’m assuming all isnotokay,” Orion hinted as he carefully watched me, seeing how my hands shook.
I blew out a breath. “Please don’t remind me,” I muttered. “My mother is overbearing as usual, Caelan has something up his sleeve, and my poor father is oblivious to it all. I’ve been home for all of ten days and I already miss the Central Plains.”
“Well, then,” Orion sighed. “Maybe you should drink some more.” He flagged down another court lady with a tray of wine.
Without a second thought, I grabbed another cup of wine and drank it in one gulp. Setting the cup back on the tray a bit more gently than before, I turned my attention back to Orion and took a deep breath. “Is there anything I should know? Caelan hinted that tonight would have a completely different meaning than what my father intended.”
“Is that so?” Orion raised a brow. “I can’t say much, but Iwillsay you’re in for a surprise tonight because—”
Orion was cut off by the sound of trumpets coming from the entrance to the Grand Hall, snaring the attention of the crowd. Two sentinels marched into the room to announce the latest visitor.
“Commander Mykal Kaiser of the Kingdom of Keldara!” the sentinels announced.
The commander strode in with a full entourage. Dressed in the finest clothing, he strolled into the Grand Hall with a smirk playing on his very handsome face.
Caelan wasn’t lying; my fatherdidinvite everyone from Asteria. Of course, it would be strange for the King ofKeldara to cross the border to Valoria, so sending Mykal in his stead made sense. Unfortunately I still harbored a grudge against Mykal for concealing the truth about Ronan’s intentions. He instigated our fallout by twisting the truth, because he knew the simple truth wouldn’t turn me against Ronan.
Orion snorted. “Of course he would show up late and upstage the arrival of the princess,” he mumbled as he rolled his eyes. “What a diva.”
“Who cares?” I turned away from Mykal, but Orion stopped me by tugging on my wrist.
“Lyanna, there’s something you should know—” Orion started, but his words stalled when my father cleared his throat and stood.
“Thank you all for your attendance tonight,” the King’s voice boomed. “It’s a blessing from the goddess that our Lyanna has returned. I prayed for many years that I would see her once again, and the goddess answered my prayers.” He placed a hand over his heart. “Tonight, I would like to thank someone very special who made this all happen. His relentless efforts in finding the lost princess did not go unnoticed. Please, let’s all welcome and thank … Prince Caelan of Eldwain!”
Caelan stepped out of the crowd to the center as everyone clapped and cheered the so-called savior of Valoria. His expression was cocky as he soaked in the applause.
“Caelan, you are like family to us. If there is any request you have, any at all, I will do anything in my power to make it happen to thank you for all your hard work,” my father continued. “If—”
“Your Majesty,” Caelan interrupted. “Idohave one request.”
My father’s smile broadened. “Of course!” he laughed. “Anything. What is it?”
“Leila,” Orion whispered. “You—”
“I would like to ask for Princess Lyanna’s hand in marriage,” Caelan announced.
A chorus of startled gasps rang out in the Grand Hall, not least of which was my own.
“The fuck?” I muttered as I dropped the cup of wine in my hand with a loud clatter.
