Page 78 of Lost Heir
Silas appeared beside me with worry etched on his face. “Leila … Your Highness, are yousure? Do you know the whole truth?”
Ronan cleared his throat. “She knows,” he said, finally finding his voice. “And she knows I’ll use the wish from the fox demon to bring her back,” he said loud enough so everyone in the hall would hear.
There was a pause in the celebration, and the smirk on Chief Aryan’s face twitched. Ronan was right; his father had other plans.
“Of course, son,” he agreed amiably. “We’ve waited a long time, so it goes without saying that we hope to conclude the ceremony swiftly. Agreed?”
Ronan’s face tensed as he glared at his father. “How soon?” he gritted between his teeth.
The corners of Chief Aryan’s mouth lifted. “How about tomorrow?”
Ronan growled and took a menacing step toward his father. I quickly tugged on his arm to stop him. “Tomorrow is fine,” I answered quickly.
Ronan whipped his gaze to me. “Leila!”
“It’s fine, Ronan,” I whispered to him. “Your father is right. It’s better to get this over with. Your people are in desperate need. We can’t let them wait any longer.”
Chief Aryan smirked and stepped toward us. “Your Highness is so sage. Tomorrow it is, then.”
25
Silas waited outside the ritual hall with me while Ronan spoke privately to his father and the elders. I glanced around the village and noticed something strange. Although the threat of Keldara loomed over them, the Crimson Clan looked relatively happy as they enjoyed the freedom of their land.
“I’m sorry,” Silas cut into my thoughts. I turned to him with a furrowed brow. “You know … for kicking you out of our camp in the Central Plains. I should have known it was you. Ronan wouldn’t have acted that way if you weren’t who you are.”
I nodded. “It’s okay, Silas. I gave you reason to question me. Things back then were … complicated, to say the least. It’s all water under the bridge.”
He gave me a tight smile. “I owe you thanks as well.”
“For what?” I quirked a brow.
“For taking care of Ronan,” he answered simply. “I know you were angry with him, which I assumed was because of the prophecy, which you had every reason to be upset about. Just know he would never put you in harm’s way.”
“I know,” I said. “At least I know thatnow.”
“Good,” he murmured and then cleared his throat. “I know Ronan doesn’t trust his father, but you have my word that I’ll help him with whatever he needs. We won’t let you die, Your Highness.”
“Thanks.” I smiled briefly. “But you don’t have to keep addressing me asYour Highness. Ronan still calls me Leila, and I actually prefer it.”
He bit his lip and winced. “You sure?”
“Positive.”
He nodded. “Very well then … Leila.”
I grinned. “So, tell me what foods I must try while I’m here and alive in the Grasslands. What’s your specialty?”
He gave his first genuine smile, which showed me he was passionate about food. “We don’t have any signature wines like you’re used to, but I know you have a sweet tooth, and while they’re not mooncakes, we have the lotus cookie and it’s very good. When Ronan returns, I’ll go get you a batch to try.”
For the moment, it seemed as if the tension that had loomed between us since we met started to lessen. We weren’t the best of friends in the Central Plains, but since we both cared about Ronan, it was a relief to patch things up without too much of a fuss. I was about to thank him for his offer of lotus cookies when Ronan stepped out of the ritual hall.
“How’d it go?” Silas asked as we stepped toward him.
Ronan blew out a breath and ran a hand through his dark hair. “The ceremony has been scheduled for tomorrow night. It was the latest I could get them to agree to do it.”
I frowned. “Under the full moon?”
“Tomorrow’s a full moon?” Ronan questioned.
