Epilogue
One Year Later
Analleia
I watched as they raised the banners for the festival, took in the joy etched across my people’s faces as I strolled through the small village we had constructed.
It wasn’t much, two dozen houses, a bakery, and a tavern.
The remains of the stone structures lay charred and crumbling around us after five years of neglect.
We’d salvaged what we could, planted crops.
Wayward travelers had come from the trees, joining our little kingdom of misfits.
We were far from prosperous, but we were growing, and we would continue to grow.
I spent every day working with them, helping to rebuild, helping to tend the crops.
I’d cried when I’d met them, as I remembered faces from long ago.
For the first time in five years, I felt at home.
“We need more berries!” one of the women called.
I waved her away, grabbing a woven basket and heading off into the fields for wild berries.
It felt strange to be needed, wanted, to experience love and compassion after so many years in the tower, after so many years of being alone.
I inhaled the brisk air, taking in the warmth of the sun as I filled my basket.
Hoofbeats sounded behind me and I rolled my eyes. “I know I’m behind, but I’d rather take too long than have her tell me I’ve not gathered enough.”
Our baker was demanding like that, and I didn’t want to risk upsetting her on the festival of our one-year reunion.
I heard the rider dismount, but they said nothing, and a cold shiver raced down my back, my senses ringing alarm bells.
I turned, stunned to silence.
“Valeris,” I said.
Dust coated his travel-worn clothes. His bright, hopeful eyes bore into mine as he approached.
I took a step forward, wanting to run to him, wanting to embrace him.
It had been so long. But the fact it had been so long held me back.
I hesitated. Why would he be here unless something was terribly wrong?
He stopped a few feet away from me, taking in my dress and stained apron. I couldn’t read his expression.
“I’m mad at you.” His voice grated against stone and sent a chill through me. It was the same voice I’d longed to hear every day for the past year, the same voice I’d dreamed about at night.
I swallowed. “You are?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I am. The last time I saw you, you said we would see each other, either in this life or the next. That’s offensive, you know, insinuating you didn’t even think I would make it a year as king.”
His words were so unexpected that I laughed, and a broad smile broke out across his face.
“I missed you, Analleia.”
“I missed you too.” I stepped forward. “King Valeris.”
“Just Valeris.”
I was afraid to get too close. “What are you doing here?”
He shifted on his feet. “You said you couldn’t stay in Paravellia with me, but you never said anything against me coming here.”
I tilted my head. “But you have a kingdom to rule, duties to fulfill—”
“Which is why it took me a year to get here,” he interrupted.
“After everything that happened, the betrayal, the explosion, I had much to take care of. I doubt we’ll be hosting the Paravellian Balls again, but I had to make sure all my affairs were in order within my own country before I ventured out to yours. ”
“Mine?”
He nodded. “I brought a squadron of soldiers with me. We’re going to help you rebuild, however long it takes. After what our country did to you, it’s the least we can do.”
“And you left Paravellia to fend for themselves?”
He took a step forward, chuckling. “I left my uncle as regent. He’ll make sure everything is taken care of until I return. If I return.”
He closed the space between us, interlacing his fingers with mine. “I don’t know how much time I have here, how long I’ll be able to stay, but I don’t want to waste any more of it. I’d like to stay.” He took a deep breath, cocking an eyebrow. “If you will allow it.”
I tilted my head, a mischievous glint shining in my eye. “I don’t know, that’s a lot to request, asking one person to put up with you.” A smile touched my lips. “But Your Highness is welcome to stay, as long as it takes to rebuild, and I do believe that will take a very long time.”
He dipped his head to kiss me, but I ducked away, holding his hand as I picked up the berry basket. “But if you make me walk all the way back to the village alone, the deal is off.”
He grabbed his reins, pulling me closer to his side.
“Not alone.” He smiled down at me, leading his horse beside us. “Together.”
I smiled back, not knowing how long we would have, not knowing if it would last, but I held on to the hope sprouting in my chest like it was my lifeline.
“Together.”