Epilogue #2
The willow came into sight, its branches drooping over a small pond that sat in the middle of the garden. Elowen recognized the figure under it with surprise.
“Sophia!”
The other girl looked around at her call, her expression telling Elowen she didn’t know what Theo was up to either.
“Just one more coming,” Theo said.
“Who—?” Elowen’s question fell away as a lithe figure with sandy hair strode into view, his steps more confident than they used to be, but his posture bent slightly as if carrying a heavy weight.
“Why is Simeon here?” Sophia asked, her voice faint.
“Because I asked him to come,” said Theo. He looked down at Elowen. “My letter to my parents included more than a plea for leniency. I didn’t want to tell you about it until I knew the outcome.”
Elowen had no idea what he was talking about, but there wasn’t time to ask. Simeon had reached them, his eyes darting to Sophia then quickly away, and Theo took charge of the conversation.
“Thank you Lady Sophia and Simeon for coming,” he said. “I wanted to talk to you both about your future. Will everyone allow me to speak plainly?”
“Of course, Your Highness.” Simeon bent in a bow. Sophia just waved a helpless hand as if to say, why not at this point?
“Thanks to Elowen’s insights and my own observations, I’m aware of your situation,” he said. “And I would like to help you. Forgive the question, but am I correct that you both wish to wed?”
Sophia let out a small, strangled noise, and Simeon’s eyes widened.
“That is speaking plainly, Your Highness,” he said blandly.
“You didn’t answer the question,” Theo said. He looked first at Sophia. “Lady Sophia?”
“I…” Sophia’s face colored. “Simeon knows how I feel, but it doesn’t matter what I want. My family will never let me marry someone of his station.”
“Simeon wouldn’t have remained at his current station if your brother hadn’t intentionally prevented him from advancing,” Theo commented. “But that’s not the point. Please answer my question.”
“Yes.” Sophia’s eyes were on her slippers.
“I would be mad not to want a future with the kindest, most intelligent and most beautiful woman in the kingdom,” said Simeon softly, his gaze on Sophia’s averted face. “But I have no expectations. Sophia is right. Our union would never be sanctioned.”
“That’s why I think you’d do best to run away together,” Theo said flippantly.
Elowen started, her eyes flying to Theo’s. “Those are words I never imagined you would say,” she told him frankly. “I thought Simeon’s position as a servant would offend you. It seemed to bother you that I was even friendly with him.”
Theo smiled at her, shifting a loose strand of hair that had fallen to her shoulder. “No, love, I was jealous,” he admitted. “Not that I ever believed there was anything untoward. But you were so comfortable with him, so natural. I wished I knew how to be that way with you.”
“Truly?” Elowen didn’t know whether to laugh at this confession. Meanwhile Sophia and Simeon were both goggling at the somber prince’s unashamed declaration.
“Well, I agree,” Elowen went on. “I don’t think difference in class should keep you two apart.”
“I’m gratified by your support, Princess Elowen,” Simeon said seriously. “But I would never ask Sophia to run away with me.”
“I was afraid you’d be too honorable,” Elowen said, unimpressed.
“Yes, a deplorable trait,” said Theo politely.
She gave him a look. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“I do.” He spoke briskly. “I have more than just vague encouragements to offer you both. It’s not just for Elowen’s sake I wish to help you.
Simeon, you saved my life, and you did it even though I’m the one who falsely accused you of treason.
I’m ashamed I fell for Lord Bertrand’s manipulations and furthered his deceptions.
” He glanced at Elowen. “I’m ashamed I let jealousy color my thinking. And I intend to make it right.”
“How?” Elowen asked eagerly.
“My father agrees with me that for the service of saving my life, Simeon should be awarded a title.” His gaze was serious as it rested on the other man.
“It’s only a barony. The estate isn’t large, and you won’t hold a great deal of influence in the Siqualian court.
But you would enter the ranks of the nobility. ”
“You want to make me a…a baron?” Simeon looked dazed.
Sophia on the other hand, was watching Theo as if mesmerized, her expression hopeful.
“Of course a baron would do very well for himself to marry the daughter of a duke,” Theo acknowledged. “But, since you’ve all given me leave to speak freely, the daughter of a disgraced duke won’t make a brilliant match anyway.”
“I don’t want a brilliant match,” Sophia breathed. “I want Simeon.”
The servant’s head whipped toward her, something blazing in his eyes at her words.
“If you’re willing to embrace a new kingdom, you can have a fresh start away from all the people who knew you in your former positions and may never be able to get past your difference in status.”
“I would like nothing better than to leave the Torrenese court behind me forever,” Sophia said fervently. She checked, her face turning a little pink as she twisted toward the man beside her. “Well, there’s one thing I might like better.”
“Sophia.” Simeon’s voice was a low murmur, the change in his tone making Elowen feel like she was eavesdropping.
“We’ll leave you to talk it over,” Theo said firmly.
“But please be assured the offer is genuine, and comes with the goodwill of the Siqualian crown. If you accept, we would be delighted if you would share your magical knowledge with us once settled in Siqual. There’s a great deal I would like my kingdom to learn from some of what I’ve seen in Torrens. ”
“I would be honored, Your Highness,” Simeon said, his eyes straying back to Sophia’s face.
“We’ll leave you in peace,” Theo said, sending Elowen a meaningful look.
She followed him readily, waiting until the pair by the willow were out of sight before speaking.
“Theo, you’re incredible!” she said, tears in her eyes. “This is the perfect solution for them. And I’ll have my dearest friend with me in my new kingdom!”
“Call it an early wedding present.” Theo snaked his arms around her waist, pulling her neatly against him. “Why does one more week feel like an eternity?”
Elowen laughed. “I don’t know, but it does. I can hardly believe I was trying to delay our wedding through the whole tournament. I could give my former self a slap!”
“Absolutely not,” said Theo, his voice low and delicious. “No one is allowed to lay a finger on my bride, not even herself.”
Elowen gave a gurgling laugh at the ridiculousness of the conversation. The sound was cut off as Theo lowered his lips to hers, his arms warm and possessive around her back.
The sensation of him drove everything else away. They would always have enemies, close to home and further away. No one knew exactly what was coming from the kingdoms of the continent, but Torrens and Siqual had withstood the attack against them, and together they would stand strong.
Elowen’s heart soared as she kissed her serious, not-so-stiff, surprisingly passionate prince in the peace of the garden, nothing but joy in her heart for the future ahead.