Epilogue
Kay
Gaelia, during the second year of Emperess Elspeth’s regency . . .
I know the moment my chambers are invaded. It’s not something I even need to turn around to confirm. The scents of soap, leather, and pine tell me exactly who my intruder is.
Since I am in no danger, I continue my task. I carefully transport my neatly folded uniforms from my travel satchel and into my wardrobe. I missed my chambers in Ewigkeit; it’s good to be home.
And home certainly needs me. The fortress is never as efficient while I’m gone as when I am in residence, though at least the shipments all came through and were distributed to soldiers and civilians alike. Smalls handles those rations, and he, at least, hasn’t failed me yet.
I’ll have everything else up to code again by sundown tomorrow. Being the youngest Commander in the province gives me no excuse to slack, even if I am still on call for special missions like the one I just returned from.
Suddenly, a cold blade is pressed to my throat, forcing me to cease my labor.
“Your men are growing lax,” Gerta whispers against my ear. “Not a one even attempted to stop me from infiltrating.”
“I wonder why . . .” Grasping Gerta’s wrist, I keep it in place while I tear the sheathed weapon away from my throat. Then I use it to twirl her around as I turn to face her .
Gerta fights me unsuccessfully as I back her against the wall. I press her captured hand against the wall above her.
“If I were you, I’d be concerned that one of your men might be trying to do away with you.” Gerta lifts one knee as if to kick me.
I seize it with my free hand— which isn’t easy to do while she wears the glistening gown we bargained from the Snow Queen. Which is strange, since Gerta still claims to loathe it, but I certainly won’t complain.
“I don’t normally manhandle prisoners, little rebel,” I say, leaning toward her. “However, you are the one exception, and I think that might have to do with why you had such easy access to my fort.”
“Oh?” Her eyes spark with a challenge. “And why would that be?”
“My men know you’re my wife.”
Gerta pretends to pout. “You take the fun out of everything.”
“You’re the one who married me despite that.” I press my lips to her waiting mouth.
It’s several moments before Gerta finally pulls away.
“Is it my fault for marrying you,” she asks between gulping breaths, “when it was the choice of being your betrothed or a criminally charged rebel leader?”
“Of course it is.” I press several kisses down her face and neck, following the trail parallel to her braid . “I gave you six months to escape. It is entirely your own fault that you’re bound to me now.”
“You would use my incompetence as an excuse to bind me to you forever?”
“Oh, Gerta.” Releasing her hand, I grasp her other leg and hoist her into my arms, accidentally knocking off her beloved fur cap in the process. “We both know incompetence does not describe you. No, it was you who trapped me into this arrangement with the second kiss that melted my heart for you.”
Gerta crosses her arms as she glowers down at me. “Only because you captured mine by setting me free.”
“Is it my fault that you women are such contrary creatures?” I shake my head at her illogical thought process as I deposit her onto our bed.
Before I can straighten, though, she grabs me by my uniform waistcoat, and I have no choice but to go down with her to avoid wrinkling it.
“Yes,” she announces, proud of her faulty logic now.
I’m defenseless against rebutting it when she kisses me.
This time, I’m the one having trouble breathing when she pulls away. “You ought to be careful, lassie, or I might get the feeling you’re actually pleased I’m back.”
“Well, that would be quite illogical of you, O mine enemy.” Gerta moves closer to me, resting her face over my chest, where the mark from the Snow Queen once rested. Now my heart belongs entirely to the woman who fights for Gaelia rather than hides from its struggles.
I wrap one arm around Gerta’s waist while my other hand plays with the tip of her braid. “One would almost wonder if I was your one true love.”
“What a preposterous idea!”
“Indeed.” Leaning down, I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Yet, the reverse is also true. Against all logic, reason, and boundary lines, and without any regret, you are and always will be my one true love.”