Oliver

I’m not sure how long we’ve been out here. Maribeth’s son is missing, and she swore she saw him run through the forest toward Azure. How she knew he was headed there, and not deeper into our woods, is beyond me, but I’ll go where she says. She knows her son best.

Someone in Azure has spotted us, that’s for certain. I heard the distinct sound of hooves running away from us, which can only mean they’ve gone to alert their team to our presence. Let them. I’m not here to start a fight. I’m looking for a lost five-year-old boy.

Reaching the end of our forest line, where it stops to open into the vast field of Azure, I rake a hand through my hair. I imagine it’s sticking up every which way by this point. When Maribeth came to me, with tears streaming down her face because she couldn’t find her boy, I didn’t stop and think, only moved. I gathered my men and some of the villagers came to search, too. I won’t let them near the border, however. I told them to scour the forest. Leave it to me and my men to search the tree line.

The thunder of horses can be heard in the distance. I knew they’d come. Luckily, I strapped my long sword to my back before leaving, and I’m glad I did. I don’t want to fight with these men, but if it’s between them and us, I choose us.

I stand on the border and quickly count the horses before me. Nine. As my eyes look from knight to knight, it’s not until I reach the final horse that I pause. Addison. She looks brilliant on the back of the golden-coated horse. Its white mane is billowing in the breeze, touching her black boots, which go to her knees.

Our eyes lock and it’s as if everything falls away. Then Elliott hops down from his horse, breaking my concentration on Addi. He strides into my line of sight until he’s a few steps from me.

There is no kindness in his gaze. “What’s the meaning of this, Sage? Your men are lining the border. You know you can’t attack us with the treaty in place.”

“I’m not interested in attacking you, Azure. We are searching for a lost child and think he came this way.”

Elliott steps closer and draws his sword. I hear the sound of scraping metal as my men draw theirs in return. The rest of the Elite dismount, a sword in each of their hands. They stay a step back while Elliott speaks to me. “I don’t believe you,” he seethes.

I’m not interested in engaging in a fight with him. I want to find the boy and get back to my home. Being in this close of proximity to Addison has me feeling things I don’t want to. “Elliott, believe what you will, but there is a boy missing and my only goal is to find him.”

“Your attitude is part of the reason you’re always in trouble, Sage.”

“My attitude?” I laugh heartily. “As if I care what you think of me. As if I care what any of you think of me!” The last part is directed at Addison, but it’s a lie. I care deeply what she thinks. She doesn’t need to know that however.

Then she’s moving in front of me in a flash of chestnut hair and navy hues. Her sweet smell swirls in the air, intoxicating me. “Elliott,” she says with a hard tone. “Oliver is not here to fight you.”

There’s a pause, but her voice floats to me again. “Don’t you dare touch your sword, Oliver. Let me handle this.” My eyes narrow and stare down at the back of her head. She’s talking only to me. I’m completely frozen in place. It’s only when her brother speaks again that I’m able to focus.

“Have you gone mad, Addi? What are you doing? Get away from him!” How dare he talk to her that way.

I take a step forward and my foot snaps a branch. Addison sends me another message. “I told you I was handling this. Now back off.”

“I will not,” I whisper between clenched teeth. Her body stiffens and I know she heard me. She’s bracing herself for a fight.

“What he’s saying is true,” she says. “A little boy is in fact missing. If you’d look further into the forest, you’d see other people there. Not just knights, but others. They are searching.”

“I can’t believe you’re taking his side over your own brothers. You need to get back over here!”

“I will do no such thing. You’re wrong, Elliott.” It’s then I notice her hand hovering over a sword at her waist. I can’t imagine she’d ever draw it against her own blood, nor would I ever want her to.

From my view over the top of Addison’s head, I witness his face becoming redder and redder. Elliott lifts his sword in the air again, pointing it at us. I know he’d never strike out against his sister, and this is only a warning, but the need to protect her is in my very bones.

I step to the left as my right arm sweeps out over Addi’s stomach. Gripping her waist, I push her behind me. Now there is no one standing between Elliott and me. With one swift movement, I unsheathe the sword at my back and widen my stance in protection of Addison.

Her hand touches my back as her soft voice floats to my mind. “Stop this, Oliver. You must. Elliott will hurt you.”

I don’t even think when I reply to her out loud. “You doubt me so, Princess. It seems I have to prove you wrong.”

My words cause Elliott to pause, cock his head to the side, and begin to lower his sword. He knows his sister has spoken to me now. His lips part to speak, but he’s interrupted by a child’s voice calling from the far right of us. We all turn in unison and watch as a red-haired boy runs from the forest toward the Azure Elite.

“Papa! Papa!” he’s yelling, with his arms outstretched in front of him.

I hear Maribeth call out from behind me, “Mason, no!”

Before any of us know what’s happening, one of the Elite, Sam, I believe his name is, breaks from the formation and rushes to scoop the boy off the ground. Mason wraps his arms around his neck, squeezing him tight. It’s then, with the sun casting bright rays down onto the field below, I notice how Sam and Mason have the same exact hair color.

“Papa, I’ve missed you. Mama’s been crying. Please come home with us.”

Maribeth rushes from the tree line, but stops when she sees Sam holding Mason. Her hand flies to her mouth as tears stream down her cheeks. All my people in the forest, and all the knights before us, are fixated on the scene playing out.

Addison’s hand lifts the untucked shirt at my back, just enough to allow her fingers to trail a charged patch along my skin. I suck in a breath when I feel her warm body press against mine. Even her cheek is on my back. My eyes close as I relish in the contact. I never thought I’d feel her skin on mine again. I thought we were done. She said we couldn't be together. Her small touch assures me I’m wrong.

Elliott is the first to speak. “Sam?”

He adjusts the boy so he sits on his hip. Mason’s hair is mussed; he has a streak of dirt on his nose and one knee of his pants. His head rests on Sam’s shoulder. “This is my son, Mason. And the woman there,” he says jutting his chin toward the tree line. “She’s my wife.” A collective gasp is heard through the trees, as well as from Addison and the Elite.

“But how can you…you don’t live…he’s your son?” Elliott is barely able to gather his thoughts.

Sam offers a tentative smile. “This isn’t how I hoped you’d find out.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. It’s all out in the open now. I imagine I’ll be told to leave the Elite and Azure. Maribeth and I can make a home somewhere else.”

“You have a home in Pine,” I state loudly. “You shouldn’t have to start over somewhere else. She has a home within our kingdom. As long as you harbor no ill intent, I’ll take you to King Pine, where you two can talk through everything. You’ll have to leave your sword at the border, but you’re welcome to bring your steed.”

Sam is slack-jawed as he gapes at me. “Are you serious?”

“Very.”

He nods once then walks to his horse. He hands his sword to one of the other men. With one hand cradling his son, the other grips the reins of the horse.

“Hold on,” Elliott interrupts. “We can talk about this, Sam. Maybe Maribeth could come to Azure.”

Sam pauses. “Elliott, you are my friend and I’ve known you a long time. However, if there is one thing I know about you, it’s your hatred of anyone associated with the Pine Kingdom.”

“That’s not true. I love and adore Alison. And I get along well with Reid.”

“They are the exceptions. You were ready to slice Sage’s throat, even though he is clearly protective of your sister. I think you have enough to deal with, without me making it worse. Besides, Mason was raised in Pine. Maribeth has built a home there, where my son has friends. I don’t want to take that from him. I would hope you’d allow us to come to Azure and visit, to be welcomed as members of both kingdoms.”

“I…of course. You’re one of my own. I don’t want to lose you.”

“And I will never be more than a flight away. I will always be there, if you need me.”

Sam reaches Maribeth. Tears continue to fall from her eyes. She reaches up with a shaky hand to caress his cheek, then takes Mason from his arms to hug and kiss him.

I nod to two of my men so they know to take them to Reid. Sam looks over his shoulder to Elliott. “Can I come by tomorrow to gather my belongings and my dragon?”

Elliott doesn’t respond immediately and I wonder if he’ll grant the request. Although, I’m not sure what he can do with a dragon that is already bonded to Sam. He’d have no use for it.

“Yes, that’s fine.” I think he’s still in shock by all which has occurred.

I turn slightly to watch Sam, Mason, Maribeth, and my men walk deeper into the forest. I was not expecting any of this to happen when we went in search of the boy. My highest hope was to find him, but it seems he’s finally going to have a life in which both of his parents will be present.

“That was a nice thing you did,” Addison speaks in my mind.

I fully turn to her, my back to her brother and the rest of the Elite, not worrying about them harming me. She’s so beautiful. I want nothing more than to press my lips to hers and show everyone here that she’s mine. But she isn’t. And I can’t.

With a heavy sigh, I speak to Elliott while my back is still turned to him. “We’re done here, Azure. If you wish to communicate further about anything, send a messenger.”

I don’t give him a chance to reply. With one last glance at Addison, I sheathe my sword and begin to walk into the forest. The rest of my men follow suit, as well as all of the people who came out in search of the young boy.

Each step away from Addison is a struggle, like I’m sinking into sand, barely able to move forward. It’s going against everything in me to walk away from her. She may have given me a small gesture that all hope isn’t lost, but at this point, I need more. Until she’s ready to leave Wesley and discuss the possibility of us, I have nothing more to say to her. I won’t be her knight on the side, and I certainly won’t be hidden as if she’s ashamed of our connection. The only way I’ll have her is to have all of her. Anything less would only tear my heart into pieces, and I won’t allow that to happen again.