Chapter 26
I t wasn't until I woke up and saw that Wrenley's bed was empty and still made from yesterday that I began to worry. I hadn't seen xer much at the Dandy Days after-party, but there were so many people, and I had spent a lot of time with Rowan and Madge.
But now I tried to remember the last time I had seen Wrenley.
As I debated whether I should alert Madge to my friend's potential disappearance, the door opened, and Wrenley burst inside. Xe was wearing xer costume from last night, but it was rumpled, and xer makeup was smeared. Despite all that, xe was smiling and looked utterly happy.
"Wren! Where were you?" I leaped out of bed and rushed to make sure he was, in fact, all right. "What happened?"
“I…” Xe stared off wistfully into space, a contented smile on xer slender lips. “I am in love.”
I gasped. “With who?”
My mind raced to think of anyone xe'd interacted with over the past few weeks. Mostly, it had been me and Rowan, and somewhat with Madge, but I hadn't noticed any romantic spark between the two of them. The only person that xe had seemed to have any chemistry with was the King, but that would be…
My eyes widened in disbelief, and xe finally looked down at me.
“Asmond,” xe confirmed with a dreamy smile. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. We’ve been sneaking off to be alone together every chance we get, and I really think he loves me, too.”
“Oh my,” was all I could think to say.
My initial response was to be happy that my friend had found love, but an uncertain fear crept up beneath it. Wrenley was obviously worthy of a King’s affections, but he was still a King.
If xe married him, xe would have to move to Lamida and become the Consort to the King. Would xe want to be a monarch? Xe never seemed that interested in politics or social climbing, and xe despised being told what to do.
“I know, I know, I know ,” Wrenly said with a dramatic sigh and walked over to xer bed. “It is ridiculous. Asmond and I spent all night discussing what we want and how we can be together." Then, with a wink, xe added, "Well, we didn't spend all night talking.”
"Are you discussing a future together already?" I asked in surprise. As far as I knew, Wrenley had never been that serious in xer romantic relationships.
Xe shrugged. "We sorta have to. It's challenging for a King to casually date."
“I suppose that makes sense,” I relented. “So, how does one go about dating the King of a neighboring kingdom?”
"We're figuring it out. Asmond hasn't dated much in his entire life, and not at all since his coronation four years ago. The next step is him presenting our relationship to his advisors and family, and they…" Xe pressed xer lips into a grim line. "They will decide if I am worthy enough to be a monarch of Lamida."
“So your relationship is going to be decided by a group of strangers?” I wrinkled my nose. “That sounds so unpleasant. I don’t know if I could handle that. How do you think it will go?”
"Asmond's optimistic, and his sister really took a shine to me after the conduction," Wrenley said. Still, xe sounded more uncertain than xe likely wanted to let on. "I'm from a good family, just not a perfect one."
"Wasn't your great-grandmother the Queen of Lamida?" I asked, remembering. "I wish my family had that kind of pedigree, but according to Adora, we come from a long line of prostitutes and dishwashers."
“Yeah, the emphasis on ‘great.’ My grandma was the youngest child of someone who hasn’t been a ruler in decades, and my mom was only a muse.”
“Wasn’t your mom’s father someone important?” I asked.
“It was her grandfather,” Wrenley corrected me. “He was the famed warlock Crimson Calix, but that’s too far removed, especially since he’s from the magik class instead of the ruling one. Maybe if he was my father, it might be something.”
Xe frowned as if realizing something for the first time. "I have a very mediocre pedigree, and I got middling grades in school, and I've been a run-of-the-mill muse."
“You were amazing at the Dandy Days!” I insisted. “You just have to give it your all more often.”
“I do really love the aerial work, and they have the space here for me to really perform.” Xe smiled again. “I think I would be really happy here with Asmond.”
“So that would mean you’re moving?” I asked, letting a hint of sadness color my words.
"Maybe. Hopefully." Xer lips twitched. "If his family will have me. The plan for now is to return home. He'll talk to his people, and then he'll contact me. And if they approve, I will be moving here."
“Wow,” I said with wide eyes. “I am happy for you, but I think this will all take time for me to process.”
Xe laughed. “Me, too.” Wrenley lay back on her bed, still smiling. “I’m sad about leaving today, and I am very nervous. But I’m also so happy.”
Then xe looked over at me. "Sorry about not telling you sooner. But first, it was only a flirtation, and then I didn't really know what to say."
“No, I understand,” I said. “And I hate to admit it, but I probably would’ve accidentally let something slip to Rowan or Madge.”
“Oh, yeah, Rowan.” Xer eyes sparkled as xe smirked at me. “How did things play out with the two of you? I didn’t feel so bad about ditching you so often because you seemed to be getting on with him so well.”
“We did get on really well,” I agreed. “He’s fantastic, but he lives in New Nottenga, so we’re keeping things friendly. I did tell him to look me up if he comes to Calida.”
“That sounds nice enough,” Wrenley said.