Page 51 of Lost Heir
His laughter was soft, carrying across the water. “You may not remember. You were around eight years old, I think. It was during the fifth wedding of the Eldwain King.”
My furrowed brows deepened as I tried to remember. I remembered going to Eldwain, but I didn’t remember meeting anyone from the Grasslands. I spent most of the time playing with Marcellus, Caelan, and his brothers. I was usually the only girl in the group. The scattered, hazy fragments of my childhood failed to conjure the image of a young Ronan in my mind. Yet, his assurance that the memory held value for him filled me with a curious warmth.
“It’s okay if you don’t remember. What matters is thatIremember.” He brought my hand to his lips. “And it’s a memory I cherish dearly.”
“Yet you fell in love with Leila … not Lyanna,” I clarified.
He nodded. “Correct. Leila the healer was nothing like the pampered princess I met back then … although I have to say I never got over the fact you stood me up,” he smirked.
My brows shot up. “What?”
Ronan chuckled. “We met earlier in the day and made plans to meet again at midnight to see the stars, but you never showed.”
I frowned and tried to remember that night. I couldn’t remember Ronan, but I did remember something… “You said the fifth wedding of the King of Eldwain?” Ronan nodded. “If I remember correctly, I got sick that night. A fever. My family and I had to leave Eldwain early.”
Ronan nodded, slowly processing my words. “So you didn’t stand me up,” he chuckled. “You were the only one to show me kindness that night, which made it a night I would never forget.”
His words, so full of sincerity, sparked laughter within me. Lightness bubbled up and over, carried away by the river's gentle flow. In that moment, floating under the Valorian sky, I was just Leila—a woman defined not by her lineage or duty, but by the connections she forged, by laughter and love, shared under the watchful gaze of the moon.
16
It was around midnight when we returned to the palace. The moon hung heavily in the sky, illuminating Viktor's anxious form, a shadow against the dimly lit entrance. His expression, taut with unease, foretold a brewing storm within the palace walls.
“Viktor!” I called out. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?” My voice sliced through the quiet, a ripple in the still night as we drew near.
He bit his lip nervously. His reply, laced with apprehension, struck a chord of alarm. “The queen requested an audience with Selene. I attempted to stop her, but it was no use.”
The timing of such a request seemed ominously precise, orchestrated during our absence. “When was this?”
“About an hour ago,” Viktor confessed, distress evident in his restless movements. “Apologies, Your Highness.”
“No, no, it’s not your fault, Viktor. There’s nothing you could have done without getting yourself into trouble. Do you know why she was called?” I asked as we passed through the palace gates and entered the palace.
“I sent someone to be our eyes and ears, but I haven’t heard back.”
I nodded. “Very well. Go to the Western palace and retrieve Marcellus. Inform him of the situation.” I turned to Ronan, whose presence would only complicate matters further. “It’s probably best if you head back to the Northern palace. It wouldn’t bode well for either of us if you came with me.”
Ronan nodded. “Be careful.”
“Always.”
With our paths set, we diverged, each to our own duties. My steps hastened towards the Grand Hall, where the echo of my name announced by the sentinels filled the space. Passing through the doors, the sight brought me to a screeching halt. A tableau of power dynamics laid bare—Selene, vulnerable and on her knees before my mother's imposing figure, ignited a fire within me.
“What’s going on?” I demanded as I rushed toward my friend. “Selene?” I attempted to help her up.
“Lyanna!” my mother yelled. “I didnotgive her permission to stand!”
I looked over at my mother in shock. “Why is she here? What could youpossiblyneed to discuss with Selene in private? At this hour?”
My mother snorted and looked around in mock surprise. “Is the mermaid off limits? I wasn’t aware of this. I wasn’t aware that there was something I, the Queen, could not touch.”
I sighed. “That’s not what I meant, Mother. But—”
“But nothing!” she spat. “I’m merely having a friendly chat with the young mermaid.”
With a frown, I glanced down at Selene to see an expression filled with fear. This was far from a friendly conversation.With no other option, I dropped to my knees beside Selene and faced my mother.
“Whatever you need to ask her, you can ask me. There’s nothing about her I don’t know.”
