Chapter Eighteen

As soon as they arrived on Bronæl, Eyrl had Lily taken to have her health checked and submitted himself to arrest. Several days later, when he was brought before his mother, he couldn't help but wonder what would happen now. If he lost his right to the throne, even his right to live on Bronæl, it would be worth it. Lily was safe. Their daughter was strong, healthy, due to be born any day, and that was enough.

"Mother." He greeted her without bowing. "I take it my trial has been organized."

"Your trial?" Xæm's hand were clasped over her knees as she surveyed her son. "Lily has detailed the meetings that Efira held her in captivity, as well as the plans my former lady-in-waiting had. Interrogation has proven her accusations true."

Eyrl nodded, waiting for her to continue.

"Nonetheless, I am not pleased with your behavior. Attacking her before you had any real evidence. Stealing a vessel. Fighting with the palace guards . . . It reflects poorly upon you."

Eyrl nodded again. He knew that it did. However . . . "If I had waited, Lily would be dead."

"Yes. Your justification is very clear. There will be no trial."

"But?"

Xæm tilted her head to one side. "But?"

"But I'm still going to be punished. Aren't I?"

His mother hesitated for a moment before she shook her head. "No. You will not be punished. It's clear why you did what you did, and I am not going to punish you for doing what you had to in order to protect your mate and unborn child. It's times like this that I am reminded of your father . . . "

It was rare for Xæm to mention her long-dead mate, and even rarer to see a glimmer of tears in her eyes. Eyrl shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't certain what to say now.

"Mother—"

"Your manservant will be returned from the prison he was sent to, so his case may be retried. You will be a good king one day, Eyrl. But you still have much to learn."

Eyrl couldn't help but smile wryly at that. "What evidence do you have for that, Mother?"

"Shall I start with your program to rehabilitate prisoners? Certainly, there should be layers of punishment, not banishment for every crime. And the children born in prison planets . . . what did they do to deserve such a life?" Xæm stepped from her throne and cupped his face in her hands. "But I will admit that it is an emotional judgment.  I say you will be a good king because I feel it in my heart. When I thought I had lost you to Efira’s schemes, I wanted to burn her to the ground . . . "

Eyrl’s jaw dropped to heal such an admission.

"It made me realize something. Emotion isn't a bad thing. Acting purely on emotion is but the emotion . . . it's something that can't be helped. As your human said, there must be moderation. If acting purely on emotion is wrong, is acting purely on the logic right?" His mother shook her head. "Something for the philosophers to consider. Go to your mate, Eyrl. And then you will have to start preparing for your wedding. You’ll be married in two months’ time."

"Two months?" That was right around the time when Lily would be giving birth. "Lily’s parents—"

"Have already been sent for. I had everything arranged so that it could happen as soon as you came home." Xæm gave him a stern look. "Now, go to your mate."

He didn't need any more encouraging. He bowed and hurried from the room. The guards that had escorted him there were nowhere to be seen, so it seemed that they had already been informed of the outcome of the meeting. A smile broke over his face as he hurried for Lily’s apartment. It had been too long. Even though he had been able to hold her on the way there, he ached for more. He ached to have her safe and warm in his arms, to kiss her and assure himself that she was with him.

He knocked at her and at the call entered. "Lily, I—"

Lily screamed.

Eyrl tensed. His fires roared to life as he looked for the threat. All he saw was Zaner, looking as shocked as he did, and a bunch of sparkling dresses. Lily dove behind a partisan, still shrieking.

"You can’t look at me!"

"Why not? Did something happen?" He started forward, heart in his throat.

"It’s bad luck!"

Bad . . . what? Eyrl looked at Zaner, hoping for an explanation, but she only rose her hands. The prince inched forward toward the partisan. "Lily? Did you say that it is bad luck if I look at you?"

Her head peered around the curtain. "In my wedding dress, yes!"

Ah . Eyrl chuckled. That was another of the human customs he had learned from watching romantic comedies with her. The bride was meant to worry about the groom seeing her in her wedding dress for some reason. Although if bad luck did exist, then they certainly didn't want to test it. They had already had enough troubles that it would be very unpleasant if something else went wrong.

"Perhaps you should help her undress?" Eyrl suggested to Zaner.

The dragoness shook her head, mumbling, but stepped behind the partisan. Soon after, Lily came around in a pale pink robe and Zaner, carrying a garment bag, left. Lily grinned at him and threw her arms around him. Her swollen belly pressed between them and he rested a hand on it.

"Already picking out what you want to wear for the wedding while I was still under arrest?"

"I’ve had that dress picked out since I was five," she responded. "Now it’s just a matter of getting it to fit this."

She bumped him with her belly.

Eyrl laughed. "And are you ready to be the queen of an alien planet?"

"Umm . . . no. Not really. But to be queen consort? I’m ready for that." she touched her stomach. "We’re ready."

Eyrl rested his forehead against hers. All those months on the run, chasing after her, almost reaching her several times but never able to until that final push, had made him realize how precious she was. He understood now why her parents had been so hostile to him. She was their baby girl and he had taken her away. When his own daughter was born, he was going to have a list of ‘dad threats’ to use against anybody who wanted to court her. Only the person most worthy of her could be her consort.

Would she be more like him or Lily?

"You’ll be pleased to know that my project was accelerated," Lily said. "And surgery on my ankle is going ahead, too. I should be able to dance for you at our wedding. The pregnant tummy will make it a bit more challenging, but I'll figure something out."

"I’m glad. You dance beautifully . . . " He brushed the hair from her face. "There is something I want to say. Something important to tell you."

Her eyes sparkled as she nodded. Did she already know?

"I love you."

"Well, it's about time you got on board." She brushed her mouth against his. "I love you, too."

From where her belly pressed against him, he felt a small nudge. Eyrl laughed and kissed his mate again. He was going to change the way things worked in Bronæl. He was going to make things better for everybody. For his daughter. And he knew however rough the road ahead was, he wouldn't be alone. He would have his mate by his side.

*****

THE END

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Abella Ward

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