Lost Heir (Blood Weaver Trilogy #2)

Chapter 15

15

W e spent the day in bed doing the kinds of things that would make a lady blush. I was voracious, and almost didn’t want to leave until Viktor knocked on the door, informing us that dinner had been served. Unwilling to allow the bubble we’d built around us to pop, I took Ronan up on his offer to explore the capital.

Escaping the confines of the palace felt like shedding a second skin, one made of lofty expectations and responsibilities. As Ronan and I slipped through the ornate gates, disguised in cloaks that blended with the crowd, a sense of liberation enveloped me. The capital of Valoria, with its bustling streets and vibrant marketplaces, was a stark contrast to the silent, echoing halls of the palace.

“Where to first?” Ronan asked, his voice low, almost blending with the murmur of the crowd.

I pulled my cloak tighter around me, the fabric whispering against my skin. “Let's just walk. I want to see everything. It’s been ten years since I last roamed the capital.”

As we meandered through the cobblestone streets, the cacophony of the capital surrounded us—a symphony of haggling voices, laughter, and the distant melody of a lute player. The air was rich with fragrant spices and freshly baked bread that mingled with the slightly cooler breeze that promised the onset of evening.

“Look at that!” I exclaimed, pointing to a stall adorned with vibrant fabrics from distant lands. The colors were a feast for the eyes, patterns dancing in the fabric as if alive.

Ronan leaned closer, his interest piqued. “You have an eye for beauty, Leila. Shall we get one as a keepsake?”

Before I could respond, the scent of something sweet and warm tugged at my senses. “Mooncakes,” I murmured almost to myself, drawn to a nearby stall where a kindly old man was displaying an array of the delicacies under a sign that read, “Moonlight Delights.”

“Ah, mooncakes,” Ronan echoed, a smile playing on his lips. “Just what we were looking for! Let's get some. How many do you think we should buy?”

I approached the stall, mesmerized by the wide array of mooncakes, each imprinted with delicate patterns. “Maybe a dozen? Some for now, and some to share with Henry and Selene.”

The old man behind the stall caught our attention and beamed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “A dozen it is. Would you like to try the lotus paste or the red bean? We also have a special filling made from the sweetest dates.”

Ronan looked at me, a silent question in his gaze. “Your choice, Leila.”

“Let's try a mix of all three,” I decided, excitement bubbling within me. “And could we have two of each to eat now?”

The old man nodded, carefully packing our selection into a box adorned with images of the moon in various phases. As he handed the box to us, I couldn't help but feel a connection to this place, to these moments of simplicity and joy. I thanked the man and Ronan handed over the coins as payment. We each took a mooncake and slowly bit into the sweet, rich filling that seemed to melt on the tongue.

As we continued our exploration of the capital, mooncakes in hand, the sights and sounds of the city felt like a vibrant tapestry unfolding before us. The laughter and chatter around us seemed to echo the lightness in my heart—a lightness born from the simple pleasure of sharing mooncakes with someone who understood the value of these moments, away from the shadows of the palace.

“Today is absolutely perfect,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, afraid to break the magic of the moment.

Ronan glanced at me. His crimson eyes were soft under the hood of his cloak. “It's not over yet, Leila. There's so much more to see, and I'm right here with you.”

Just then, I believed him. The capital, with its endless possibilities and hidden corners, felt like a promise of more days like this—days filled with discovery, laughter, and the shared sweetness of mooncakes under a vast, unjudging sky.

“By the goddess, I can’t believe this is still here!” I hurried over to a children’s toy store, one in which I’d whiled away many hours as a child. I gazed up at the storefront. “My father would take me and Marcellus here whenever we managed to sneak out of the palace.”

“I’m almost certain you would have caused your father to go broke,” Ronan chided, and I lightly punched his arm. “Come on, let’s keep walking.”

The allure of the city’s heartbeat drew us further into its embrace, leading us to a cozy tavern tucked away on a side street, its warm light spilling out onto the cobblestones. “ Why don’t we try some of the Love in the Moonlight wine here?” Ronan suggested, a playful challenge in his eyes.

The tavern's name, The Crescent Pour, was painted in elegant script above the door, a nod to Valoria’s belief in the moon goddess. As we stepped inside, the lively melody of a string quartet greeted us, music weaving through the air like threads of silver moonlight.

The atmosphere inside was buzzing, a vibrant mix of locals and travelers alike, all drawn in by the promise of good music and finer drinks. We found a table near the back, a small, intimate space that felt removed from the hustle of the tavern.

A server approached, her smile as welcoming as the tavern itself. “What can I get for you this evening?”

“We'll have a jug of Love in the Moonlight, please,” I replied, my excitement for the wine evident.

As we waited, a troupe of performers took to the small stage at the front of the tavern. Their act was a mesmerizing blend of dance and acrobatics, each movement in perfect harmony with the music, as if the melody itself guided them through their performance.

Our wine arrived, served in delicate glasses that caught the light, making the liquid within shimmer like its namesake. “To us,” Ronan toasted, raising his glass.

“To us,” I echoed. The wine was sweet and fragrant on my lips, a perfect complement to the joy of the evening.

As we drank our wine, the performers continued to captivate the audience, their finale a breathtaking display of skill that earned them thunderous applause. The energy in the tavern was infectious, a reminder of the world’s beauty and the simple pleasures that made life worth savoring.

“Did you enjoy the performance?” Ronan asked, his eyes reflecting the tavern's warm glow .

“I did. I wish these moments could last forever,” I confessed, the bustling energy of the tavern and the day’s earlier adventures mingling into a perfect memory.

“Then let's make more memories, Leila. Not just tonight, but every chance we get,” Ronan proposed, his hand finding mine across the table.

In The Crescent Pour, surrounded by laughter, music, and the taste of Love in the Moonlight on our tongues, the world outside faded away. It was just Ronan and me, finding solace and excitement in the hidden corners of Valoria, away from the weight of crowns and familial duties. Tonight, we were simply two souls intertwined by the magic of the moment, eager to explore all the wonders that lay waiting in the shadow and light of the moon.

I couldn’t stop the grin that spread across my face. Thank the goddess I was wearing a cloak and it wasn’t visible. Unfortunately, we had to stay hidden. With his startling eyes and tattoos, it was obvious Ronan was a Crimson Clan member, and if they saw him with me, a mage from Valoria, it would raise eyebrows and possibly start trouble due to our fraternization.

“What do you want to do next?” Ronan asked. “I’m sure there’s much more to see and do. The night is still young and I’m all yours.”

“For starters, I want to finish this jug of wine!” I poured myself another cup. “Then, maybe we can go on a boat ride on the river that cuts through the capital. It’ll be a great way to see everything.”

Ronan chuckled at my plan, the low timbre of his laughter blending seamlessly with the tavern’s ambient sounds. “That sounds like a perfect plan. But let's make sure we can still find our way to the river after this jug of wine,” he teased, raising his glass in a half-toast before taking another sip.

The wine, Love in the Moonlight, lived up to its name. Each sip was a poetic symphony of flavors that seemed to dance across the palate. It was easy to get lost in the moment, as the rich notes of the wine were a perfect accompaniment to the lively tunes played by the musicians in the corner of the tavern.

We savored our drinks and enjoyed the performances, each act as captivating as the last, weaving an enchanting tapestry of art and entertainment that held the tavern's patrons spellbound. It was a testament to the vibrant culture of Valoria, a city that pulsed with life and creativity at every turn.

We were listening to a wonderful singer when the conversation at the table beside us caught our attention.

“Did you hear?” one of the men at the table asked. “The lost heir has returned.”

The other man nodded. “Yes; didn’t you see all the guests who came to the capital these past few days? They were here to see her return for themselves.”

“What do you think King Malik will do? Is there any hope?”

The other man shrugged. “With the queen in his ear, I doubt it,” he said. “She’s never been warm toward the lost heir. There are many who say she despises her.”

The man sighed. “What a shame. If the Crown Prince takes the throne, dark times will come to Valoria. He’s nothing but a child.”

“There’s rumors he didn’t even lead the army down to the Central Plains. They say it was Prince Caelan of Eldwain who took charge!”

“Exactly. It’s why…” he lowered his voice and glanced ar ound the tavern for anyone who might be eavesdropping, assuming Ronan and I couldn’t hear, “…the scholars are petitioning for the lost heir to take his place.”

I frowned. Who are they talking about? And what kind of reputation does Marcel have if Valoria’s people speak about him in this manner?

“Ronan,” I whispered as I leaned toward him. “Are you listening?”

He nodded.

“Who is the lost heir?” I asked, feeling a knot form in my stomach.

“I’ve never heard of a lost heir … but I assume they’re speaking about you,” he whispered in return.

My eyes widened and for the second time tonight, I thanked the goddess that part of my face was obscured by the cloak’s hood. I flagged down the server and requested another jug of Love in the Moonlight.

“Leila!” Ronan attempted to stop me. “I think one jug is enough—”

The server returned in minutes and placed a fresh jug on the table. “Wait here,” I said.

Without taking time to think through what I was about to do, I grabbed the jug and sauntered over to the table where the men were gossiping. I slid into an empty chair and tossed my cloak’s hood back to expose the crescent moon birthmark on my forehead. The same one the men had, which let them know I was one of them. Thankfully, no one in Valoria knew what the princess looked like, so I was able to blend in as a commoner.

“What is this about the lost heir?” A smirk curled across my lips as I poured them a drink from my wine jug.

One of the men raised a brow, surprised by my audacity to interrupt a conversation they thought was private. “Who are you?”

I shrugged and offered my most charming smile. “I don’t mean to startle you, but I overheard your conversation and it piqued my curiosity. I’ve never heard of a lost heir. Are you referring to the lost princess?”

The men took a drink and their eyes widened.

“Is this Love in the Moonlight?” the other man asked in shock.

I nodded and my grin widened. “Just sharing with friends.”

They each took bigger gulps, then poured more of the free wine. The very expensive, free wine.

One of the men leaned forward and whispered, “The lost heir is the lost princess. For over a decade, the mages of Valoria have petitioned that the line of succession be altered and she be made Crown Princess instead of her younger brother, which the king has refused.”

My eyes widened. “Is that so?” I poured them some more wine. “Why do the mages want her to be the Crown Princess?”

One of the men leaned in conspiratorially, warming up to the topic. “Well—”

“Shh!” the other man stopped him. “We cannot speak of this. If anyone else overhears …”

The man brushed him off. “No one’s listening, mate!”

I fought the urge to laugh because they’d obviously forgotten I had eavesdropped on them and was sitting with them now. But the wine made it a distant memory.

“You know the lost princess is the first female blood mage since the moon goddess, right?” the man whispered and leaned forward.

I nodded .

“Well, they say she’s the reincarnation of the moon goddess.” His eyes widened with barely contained excitement.

I frowned, not believing this so-called theory for a second. “Really? How so?”

The other man shrugged. “I mean, the only other female blood mage in history was the moon goddess. That means it has to be true, right?”

Not necessarily , I thought, but I didn’t want to mess with their illusion or make them start asking me questions. I remained quiet as they continued to ramble about the lost heir, who happened to be sitting in front of them. I wondered if the moon goddess theory was a well-known one that I just never knew about.

I poured them some more wine. “Didn’t the moon goddess refuse to enter politics? Didn’t she want to stay neutral and protect Valoria without interfering with the monarch?” I asked curiously, hoping I’d remembered history correctly.

One of the men nodded. “True. But from what I heard, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but more like the king at the time refused her.”

The other man nodded eagerly as he chugged his wine. “I heard a rumor she had an affair that the king was completely against, and that was his way of punishing her. But we all know the moon goddess was the true heir to the throne. We only survived Keldara because of her.”

“That’s why the lost princess needs to become Crown Princess,” the man closest to me added, beginning to slur his words. “She’s the oldest child of the king and the rightful heir, as the reincarnation of the moon goddess. She’ll be the one to save us from Keldara again. ”

I cleared my throat. “Does everyone believe this theory about the lost heir being the moon goddess?”

The man closest to me shook his head. “Only in Valoria. I don’t believe any outsiders know.”

“Oh …” I stood, then topped off their cups with more wine. “Well, thank you for the information. I appreciate your time.”

“Of course!” the men said, waving me off before clinking their cups together to celebrate their good fortune.

On leaden feet, I stumbled back to our table where Ronan was waiting for me.

“So?” he asked as I sat. “What did they say?”

“It’s just as you predicted. They’re talking about me,” I mumbled in a daze. “They believe I’m the reincarnation of the moon goddess.”

Even though I couldn’t see his expression within the darkened folds of his cloak, Ronan tensed. “And what do you think?”

I shrugged. “I think it’s rubbish. There’s no way I’m the reincarnation of the moon goddess. I’m my own person.”

Ronan nodded. “Yeah, I don’t think so, either,” he muttered uncertainly.

I sighed and tossed back the rest of my wine, then tipped the empty jug. Warmth from the last bit of wine spread through my limbs and left me with a pleasant buzz that made the world seem a bit brighter, even after my unsettling conversation.

“Alright, I think we’ve finished it. Let’s head to the river. I remember the night views being something you can’t miss.”

After paying, we made our way out of the tavern, the cool night air a refreshing contrast to the warmth inside. Valoria’s streets still bustled with activity, and the city basked in a gentle luminescence that seemed to guide our steps toward the river.

“Winter is coming.” I wrapped the cloak tighter around me and pulled the hood back over my head. “I can feel it in the air.”

Ronan nodded. “Yes, it’s getting chilly. Do you want to head back? We can always come back another time.”

I shook my head. “No. I want it to be tonight.” With an affirmative nod, we continued walking. I didn’t know when we’d have this opportunity again. I was sure once my mother learned about me sneaking off to the capital, she’d make sure I never got another chance to leave again.

The river was a serene sight. Its waters reflected the moonlight and the city’s twinkling lights. We found a boat ready for hire; its keeper was a jovial man who seemed ready to sell us on the boat ride.

“Taking a ride under the moon, are we?” the boatman asked with a knowing smile as he helped us aboard. “You’ve picked a beautiful night for it.”

Taking my hand in his, Ronan helped me onto the vessel and then followed, taking a seat beside me.

“Are you both travelers?” the boatman asked. “I’ve never seen anybody look so mysterious around these parts.”

Ronan and I laughed. “It’s really cold,” I said as I rubbed my arms. “We’re just trying to stay warm.”

The boatman nodded and pushed off the bank. Though he seemed unconvinced by our story, he knew better than to bite the hand that paid him. As the boat glided through the water, the city's beauty unfolded before us in a new light, the reflections on the water adding a layer of magic to an already mesmerizing view. Gently lapping waves against the boat provided a serene soundtrack to our journey, a peaceful interlude in the bustling life of the capital .

“There’s something truly special about Valoria at night,” I mused aloud, captivated by the illuminated buildings and bridges we passed.

Ronan nodded, his gaze fixed on the same enchanting views. “There is. And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather share this moment with.”

In that tranquil boat ride, the complexities of our lives seemed to drift away, leaving behind a moment of pure, unadulterated beauty. It was a reminder of the simplicity at the heart of happiness, a simplicity found in shared experiences and the quiet majesty of the world around us.

“But,” Ronan started, “you’ve never seen the night sky until you’ve seen it in the Grasslands. Stars glitter the skies and the full moon shines brightly overhead. Stealthy animals silently sing in the stillness. It’s … it’s truly the best, and one of a kind.”

I gave him a tight smile. The Grasslands was one place I didn’t think I could ever go without risking my life. Especially after what we did today. While I loved every single minute I spent in bed with Ronan, I knew there would be repercussions for our actions. In the moment, I didn’t care about any of them. Even now, I needed him more than I needed to breathe, and I didn’t regret a second of it.

As the boat gently rocked beneath us, guided by the silent strokes of the boatman, I felt the weight of Ronan's words settle around us like a comforting cloak. The city lights danced on the water's surface, providing a mesmerizing backdrop to our conversation.

“Ronan,” I whispered and reached for his hand. “Do you think—”

“Nothing those men said were true,” he interrupted, his voice firm yet tender, cutting through my hesitation with a calm reassurance that warmed me to my core. “ They might consider you the lost heir, but you’re just Leila to me.”

I couldn't help but smile at his steadfast declaration, highlighted by the moon casting a soft glow over his features. “You never call me Lyanna … Why not?”

Ronan offered a shrug, a simple gesture laden with meaning. “I’ve met Lyanna, and she was lovely … but I fell in love with Leila. And that is who you are.”

I furrowed my brows. “You met me as the princess before? When?”

His laughter was soft, carrying across the water. “You may not remember. You were around eight years old, I think. It was during the fifth wedding of the Eldwain King.”

My furrowed brows deepened as I tried to remember. I remembered going to Eldwain, but I didn’t remember meeting anyone from the Grasslands. I spent most of the time playing with Marcellus, Caelan, and his brothers. I was usually the only girl in the group. The scattered, hazy fragments of my childhood failed to conjure the image of a young Ronan in my mind. Yet, his assurance that the memory held value for him filled me with a curious warmth.

“It’s okay if you don’t remember. What matters is that I remember.” He brought my hand to his lips. “And it’s a memory I cherish dearly.”

“Yet you fell in love with Leila … not Lyanna,” I clarified.

He nodded. “Correct. Leila the healer was nothing like the pampered princess I met back then … although I have to say I never got over the fact you stood me up,” he smirked.

My brows shot up. “What?”

Ronan chuckled. “We met earlier in the day and made plans to meet again at midnight to see the stars, but you never showed. ”

I frowned and tried to remember that night. I couldn’t remember Ronan, but I did remember something… “You said the fifth wedding of the King of Eldwain?” Ronan nodded. “If I remember correctly, I got sick that night. A fever. My family and I had to leave Eldwain early.”

Ronan nodded, slowly processing my words. “So you didn’t stand me up,” he chuckled. “You were the only one to show me kindness that night, which made it a night I would never forget.”

His words, so full of sincerity, sparked laughter within me. Lightness bubbled up and over, carried away by the river's gentle flow. In that moment, floating under the Valorian sky, I was just Leila—a woman defined not by her lineage or duty, but by the connections she forged, by laughter and love, shared under the watchful gaze of the moon.