Oliver

We walk to the large, two-story structure which houses all of the army’s horses. Each stall is kept meticulously clean. The horses we ride into battle and on patrol are kept toward the front, while the other horses and foals are kept near the back. The smell of pine, leather, and sweet feed inundates me when we step inside. It reminds of the many hours I spent here as a boy, learning all about our horses and how to care for them. An equal amount of time was spent with my dragon to learn the same.

The floor of the stable is solid grey stone, with red bricks placed along the border, where the stone meets the stalls. The brick also makes up the lower walls of the stalls while the top has vertical metal bars. The door slides easily to the side to allow the horses plenty of room to enter and exit. The top of each stall is left open to the vaulted ceiling.

I step up to the stall my horse is in and push the door aside. A bay horse with a brilliant coat stands before me. Reaching up, I run my hand down his black mane and pat his side. My hand easily glides down his strong neck.

“He’s beautiful, Oliver,” Addison says as she pats him.

“He’s been with me a long time.”

The horse is already tacked with one of our larger saddles to accommodate both Addi and me. I lead him out, while Sam and Sel both go to find their mounts. Addi climbs on first then I slip behind her.

“Are you sure you’re ready to move here?” I ask.

She turns to look over her shoulder. “Anywhere you are is where I want to be.” Placing a quick kiss on her lips, we ride from the stable to meet with horses pulling the cart and the other men.

It’s a slow walk to Azure. We take our time, even passing along the cottage where Alison emerged her first day in our realm.

“That’s a beat up old cottage. Why not tear it down?” Sel asks.

Sam looks to us and I shake my head no. Only a small number of people, Azure’s Elite among them, know there is a door in that cottage which leads to another realm. One that can only be accessed with a special key, which no one has seen in quite some time.

“There is sentimental value to it,” I reply.

“It’s where Ali and Luke met,” Addison adds.

Sel looks at us, then the cottage again. “I always wondered where she lived, since it wasn’t with us in Pine.”

“It’s a story for another day. Besides, the castle is just over there,” she says, pointing in the distance, trying to change the subject.

The horses walk through the field of azure flowers. The sun is setting, casting the petals in a low light. I used to hate seeing these flowers. They reminded me of who I lost, but now they remind me of the woman I love. These are the flowers of her kingdom. The ones whose very color is her surname.

Two guards are waiting at the end of the stone bridge when we approach. They immediately bow to Addi and lead us inside, cart and all. The courtyard is empty for the night; all of the vendors already packed up so they can have dinner with their families. There isn’t a lot of room in the castle walls for the cart, so we leave it near the entrance along with our horses. Sel, Sam, Addi, and I all walk toward the tower house. The guards outside bow and open the door. Inside we find King Azure leaning against the wall, talking with Elliott.

“Addison,” the king greets. “So good to see you. I’m glad you’re all right.”

“I am.”

“You’ve brought an entourage with you.”

She glances at the three of us. “Seems they are all a permanent fixture in my life now.”

He shakes my hand. “I hear congratulations are in order. You make my daughter happier than I’ve ever seen. Treat her well.” I’m sure Addi’s mother saw us getting engaged and relayed it to him.

“Of course, Your Highness.”

He walks over and shakes hands with Sam. “It’s great to see you again. How is life in Pine?”

“Very good, Your Highness.”

“And your wife and son? Are they well?”

“Yes. My wife is currently expecting our second child.”

“That’s wonderful news.”

“Sam,” Addi turns and hugs him. “Congratulations! I had no idea.”

“We’ve been keeping it under wraps for the time being.”

The king walks to Sel. “Your Highness,” Sel nods. I never expected him to bow. Not Sel.

“This is Selatore Viridian,” Addison cuts in. “He’s one of my appointed guards, along with Sam.”

“It’s good to see Oliver is taking your safety seriously, not that I had any doubt.”

“We both chose this duty with honor,” Sel states.

“Thank you, both of you. Addison is my only daughter. It’s good to know she’s in capable hands.”

Elliott, up until this point, hasn’t uttered a word, but his posture says it all. Stiff. His mouth in a thin line. Eyes narrowed. Hands by his side in fists. He looks down and notices the ring on her hand. “It’s true, then. You’re engaged.”

She lifts the ring to admire it. The stones sparkle slightly in the candlelight. “Yes, I am.”

He steps forward causing me to press to her side. “Sage, I’m not going to harm my own sister,” he growls.

“It’s instinctual. Addison is mine to protect.”

Elliott glares at me before bringing his sister in for a hug. “Are you happy?”

“I really am.”

“He treats you well?”

“I wouldn’t be with him if he didn’t.”

“Good.”

I know it will take a long time for him to warm up to me, but I hope one day we can be civil toward one another, for Addison’s sake. I’m not worried about Ryland or Lucas. They don’t seem to hate us being together as much as Elliott. Or they at least hide it very well, if they do.

We walk the short distance to Addi’s home. She says she doesn’t want to take anything in the kitchen, but she begs me to bring her couch. Sel and Sam each take an end and carry it back toward the front of the castle. We climb the stairs to her bedroom, and she takes her time packing her clothes, shoes, and toiletries. Both Sam and Sel come upstairs to gather as much as they can carry and make another trip to the cart

“It feels weird,” she says. “I’m packing up all of my belongings to move from the only castle I’ve ever lived in. I’m going to miss it.”

“I’m going to ask again. Are you sure you want to do this? Because I will understand if you’re not ready.”

She graces me with her beautiful smile. “I’m positive. I’ve just had so many memories here.”

“We’ll make some new ones in Pine.”

“We already have,” she winks.

She packs her remaining things then walks over to the window. I step up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. Looking out, I can see the tops of our pine trees in the distance. “What do you think now that you’ve been within the Pine Forest and know of our secret?”

“Well, aside from nearly losing my life, I can easily say I love it. It far exceeded any expectations I had.” Her hands rub over my forearms as we both stare out. “Oliver, can I ask you something?”

“Of course, love.”

“Where is your family? You never speak of them, and I’ve never even seen a hint of them in your mind.”

I let out a long breath. My parents aren’t an easy topic for me to discuss; it’s for that reason I rarely do. “My father died during battle when I was around three years old. My mother died of illness fifteen years later. Nothing the healer did could save her. I didn’t have any brothers or sisters.”

She turns to face me. “I’m so sorry. How awful for you. No father growing up and your mother leaving you when you were only a teenager. I’m sure you miss them.”

I brush a stray lock of hair from her face. “I do, but having you in my life has healed a part of me which has long been in agony. You’re my family now, Addison.”

She stands on her tiptoes to press her lips to mine. The kiss ends the moment we hear people coming up the stairs. Sam and Sel look around the bedroom and gather the final items to bring with us.

“Are you sure there’s nothing else you’d like to bring?” I ask.

She shakes her head and places her hands around my neck. “No, I’ve got everything I need right here.”

We kiss again before walking downstairs and outside, where the sky has now darkened. Stars are slowly beginning to pop out and twinkle brightly above.

Queen Azure is waiting for us by the cart. She’s talking with Sam and Sel, both of whom are laughing at something she’s saying.

“Is Sel laughing?” Addi whispers to me.

“It appears so.” I don’t think, in all the years I’ve known him, I’ve ever heard him laugh. Smile, smirk, sure, but not laugh.

The conversation dies down as we approach. Her mom embraces her then reaches an arm out for me to join them. “Congratulations, you two.” Pulling back, she wipes under her eyes. “I’m so happy for you both.”

“You saw this coming, didn’t you?” Addi asks.

“This was one path I saw, but as you know, nothing is set in stone.”

“I followed my heart.”

“That you did.” She turns to me. “Oliver, I think you’re the only man who could ever be a proper match for my daughter. I don’t have to tell you to treat her well or threaten you if you don’t. I know you will. You have a good soul, one which was created to be with my Addi. Always remember to love one another. It does conquer all.”

“Always,” I reply.

Queen Azure hugs us all once more, including Sel. We make sure everything is secure in the cart. Our horses have been given water while they waited and are ready to depart. Addi’s horse has also been brought out for us to bring back to Pine. We tether it to the back of the cart. I want Addison riding back with me.

We will come back for her dragon soon. I need to make arrangements to have a spot for her in our building. One away from the other dragons. It will take some time to get her used to a new clan. We hope to introduce her slowly. The first thing we’ll do is get her familiar with Lyras, since she is the head of the Pine dragon clan. After that, I hope things will go well with the others.

Addi gracefully mounts my horse and I follow. Reaching around her, I grasp the reins then pull her as close as possible. The heat of her body, warming my own in the most wicked ways. Sel rides in front of us, near the cart, while Sam takes up the rear.

“You’re all mine now, love.” I feather kisses down her neck.

She leans her head back onto me. “And you are mine.”

“You have a wedding to plan.”

“As do you. Don’t think I will be doing it alone.”

I chuckle. “I’m happy to do whatever you need me to. Any idea where you’d like to get married? We can have the ceremony in Azure or Pine.”

“The Pine Forest,” she says wistfully.

“Sounds perfect.”

My horse trots slowly toward the very forest in which Addison wants us to say our vows. The forest in which we first saw each other in our dreams. We’ve come a long way since that first day we touched. There have been many hurdles to overcome, but each one was well worth dealing with in order to get us to the place we are now.

“I love you, Addison Azure.”

“You better. You’re stuck with me. There’s no going back now.”

I tip my head back and laugh. “Only forward, love. Only forward.”