Page 93 of Hand-Fasting and Other Hazards
Lochlan leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. The rhythmic hum of the train filled his ears, a steady reminder of the journey ahead, and the growing distance between him and the world he’d left behind.
CHAPTER 31
Lochlan
“A PRINCE FOR THE MASSES—HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW.” —A PAGANS BLOG
A knock jolted Lochlan awake. Groggy, he blinked as Thane moved to the cabin door, sliding it open just enough to let the person on the other side speak.
“Fifteen minutes, Your Highness,” a crisp voice announced.
Lochlan sat up, rolling the stiffness from his neck as his gaze drifted to the small window. The lush, magical scenery of Stella Rune was gone, replaced by gray lines of stone and steel. The city outside rose like a fortress, cold and imposing, its silhouette broken only by the gleam of a distant palace. Even the forest beyond the city seemed hostile, its trees clustered darkly, barring entry.
He turned his attention to his brother, who had shut the door with a quiet click and was now adjusting the stiff collar of a meticulously pressed uniform. It was a jarring contrast to the sweater and jeans Thane had worn earlier, his casual clothing replaced by polished boots and regalia that radiated authority.
“Who was at the door?” Lochlan asked, stifling a yawn.
“Royal guard,” Thane replied, checking the watch on his wrist. “We’ve got fourteen minutes before they escort us to the palace.”
Lochlan nodded absently, pushing himself up and stepping into the cramped bathroom. The dim light reflected a worn and wary version of himself. He splashed cold water on his face, hoping to wash away some of the fatigue and anxiety that clung to him.
As he wiped his face dry, his phone buzzed in his pocket. A news notification flashed across the screen. Lochlan swiped it away before he could process the words. The recent headlines were irritating, and he wasn’t ready to face whatever was being said.
His chest tightened when he noticed two missed texts from Nia in the hours since he’d left. The first was a photo of Jade sprawled across his pillow, one paw flung dramatically over her face, the second a single sentence:
Nia
I think she misses you.
Lochlan stared at the screen longer than he meant to, his throat constricting. Did Nia miss him too? He smiled faintly, his thumb brushing over the screen as he typed.
Me
Good morning, love. Almost there. I’ll text you when I’m settled.
A second knock at the door forced him to pocket the phone. He steeled himself, bracing for the next chapter of this journey. As the train came to a halt, Lochlan moved to leave, but Thane stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“We have to wait for the guards.”
A moment later, the door slid open, and a pair of royal guards stepped inside. Their polished uniforms and rigid movements made the cramped cabin feel even smaller. Lochlan followed Thane as they were escorted out in a formal procession.
A cold wind greeted them on the platform, a startling contrast to the warmth of the train. Beyond the train, a crowd of people were held back by barriers, their voices rising in a chaotic mix of cheers and shouts. Lochlan caught a glimpse of signs waving in the air, some too blurry to read, others loud and clear:
“Marry me, Prince Thane!”
“Put a baby in me Prince Daddy!”
Lochlan shook his head, suppressing a startled laugh as his brother smiled wide and waved to the crowd, his composure unshaken as the screams grew louder. The guards ushered them quickly into a waiting SUV. Lochlan settled into the seat, grateful the blacked-out windows muffled the chaos outside as the door shut behind him. Thane pulled out a sleek black tablet and began reading.
The drive to the palace was brief and uneventful, the SUV closely following the speeding escort cars. The scenery outside blurred past as they approached the imposing gates, where another crowd had gathered, their cheers barely audible from inside the vehicle. Instead of entering through the main gates, they were directed to a side entrance, shielded from prying eyes. The SUV rolled to a stop in front of a red-carpeted entryway.
As Lochlan stepped out, a man in a sleek suit—a palace attendant—approached briskly, clearly intent on taking charge. Before he could say a word, Thane stepped forward, his tone clipped and firm. “I’ll handle it. Bring the bags to his room.”
The attendant hesitated, flustered, but quickly obeyed, bowing slightly before signaling to other staff.
Lochlan adjusted his coat, his gaze drifting to the palace staff around them. Their stares were impossible to ignore, each one assessing, bowing slightly as he passed. It made his skin crawl. He couldn’t help but wonder how Nia would react to all this pomp and formality. She’d probably roll her eyes and mutter a biting observation about ridiculous traditions. The thought brought on a small smile.
He missed her already.
