Page 29 of Warrior Princess
“He did?” Surprise etched my features. “What did he say?”
“He wanted to know about the rumors—whether we’d… been together or not. He wasn’t angry,” Ronan explained, shaking his head slightly. “He was mainly concerned about what my intentions were towards you. I could tell your father missed you dearly, Leila. Which is why this arrangement seems so strange. Your father would want you home immediately, not meet on neutral ground.”
The revelation left me momentarily speechless as I digested Ronan's encounter with my father and his current concerns. When I considered it from his point of view, it was decidedly strange. Unfortunately, the only way to uncover the truth was to meet him as requested.
“How about this?” I stepped closer to him and placed my palms on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my touch. “Let’s bring Silas and a few more Crimson Clan warriors with us. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?”
Ronan's eyes softened as he looked down at me, his worry momentarily replaced by admiration. He nodded, his decision made. “You’re right. That’s a good idea.” He pulled me into a firm embrace and pressed a tender kiss to my forehead. “You’re so smart, Leila. What would I do without you?”
I chuckled, a light, teasing sound. “You’d be lost, obviously.” I gave him a playful peck on the lips.
With a plan in place and reinforcements in mind, we finished our preparations. While Ronan went to gather Silas and the others, I considered the journey ahead. Whatever awaited us in the Central Plains, we would face it together, fortified by our bond and the strength of our companions.
The journeyfrom the Grasslands to the Central Plains was marked by the rhythmic cadence of our horses' hooves against the verdant earth, stirring up the sweet scents of grass and wildflowers. The landscape rolled gently under a sky that stretched clear and boundless above us, a vast dome of blue that promised fair travel.
Ronan, Silas, and I rode in close formation, the steady clop of our horses a comforting soundtrack to our thoughts. Silas, ever the vigilant observer, broke the silence as we crested a small hill that offered a panoramic view of the sprawling plains below.
“It feels like a lifetime since we've been this far east, when in reality it’s only been six months or so.” Silas squinted against the sunlight that gilded the edges of distant hills. “The plains are just as I remember them—endless and inviting.”
Ronan nodded, his gaze scanning the horizon. “We’ve had some good memories here in the plains.”
I found myself caught between enjoying the serene beauty of the landscape and the nagging tension about the upcoming meeting with my father. “It's beautiful,” I agreed softly, “but it's hard to enjoy it fully with so much uncertainty waiting for us.”
Ronan reached over and squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Whatever happens, we’re prepared. We’ve got a strong group with us.” He gestured to the handful of Crimson Clan warriors trailing behind us, their presence a silent promise of protection.
Silas chuckled, lightening the mood. “Besides, it’s not every day you get to escort a princess and a potential future chief through the plains. Makes for a good story, doesn’t it?”
I smiled, grateful for his attempt to lift our spirits. “Yes, it will make quite a tale for the fireside,” I replied. “Let’s just hope it has a happy ending.”
Ronan’s expression grew serious again. “Leila, about your father—I could be wrong. I don’t want to worry you,” he said, his tone careful.
I sighed. “I know, but you’re not wrong, and your instincts are solid. Itisstrange that he would ask to meet here. Unless… unless my father is aware of Caelan and his plots. Maybe he’s searching for privacy he may not have in Valoria.”
Silas nodded thoughtfully. “Neutral ground can make all the difference. It levels the playing field, so to speak.”
“Is it neutral, though?” I raised a brow. “Let’s not forget that a certain governor is in Caelan’s pocket. We can’t be too careful.”
The conversation wove through the logistics of our approach, possible outcomes, and strategies. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting dusky shadows over the plains, we made camp by a small grove of trees near a stream.
The evening passed with quiet contemplation. The campfire’s light flickered across anxious but determined faces. Tomorrow morning, we would reach Lomewood.
As the firstlight of dawn softened the darkness of the woods surrounding Lomewood, we approached our designated meeting spot—a serene clearing near the river. The gentle rush of water provided a tranquil backdrop, its wide banks sheltered by towering trees whose leaves rustled in the soft morning breeze.
This river would always remind me of my time in the mountains with Ronan. While it started poorly when Caelanshot me with an arrow and I tumbled over a cliff into the river, it ended with the realization that I’d fallen for the imposing Crimson Clan warrior beside me. The memory brought a smile to my face.
We dismounted quietly, the horses’ breath visible in the cool morning air. Ronan and Silas began to secure the area, tying the horses to nearby trees and scanning the surroundings for any signs of unexpected company. As they did, the rest of the Crimson Clan warriors fanned out and found hiding places in the forest. I adjusted my cloak and surveyed the clearing where the river’s gentle curves created a natural boundary.
“We’re early,” Ronan noted. His voice was low, laced with caution rather than relief.
“It’s better this way. Gives us a moment to prepare,” Silas added, his eyes never ceasing their vigilant sweep.
I nodded and tried to quell the flutter of nerves in my stomach. Pacing near the water’s edge, I watched the river flow past, its surface shimmering with the morning light. The beauty of the scene was calming, but my mind was too crowded with a storm of what-ifs to fully appreciate it.
The sound of approaching horses broke the serenity. My heart leapt into my throat as I turned, expecting to see my father’s familiar figure. But the figure who emerged from the trees wasnotmy father. This man’s presence was like a cold shadow crossing the sun. My initial shock quickly morphed into disbelief, followed by a sharp spike of betrayal.
“Caelan?” I called out, my voice tinged with confusion and a growing sense of unease. “What are you doing here?”
Caelan dismounted with a grace that belied his intentions, his face wearing a mask of faux cordiality. “Lyanna, it’s been far too long,” he said smoothly, approaching with a brazen confidence that irked me.
