CHAPTER 61 #2
The nobleman nodded eagerly. “Exactly, Your Highness. Your comprehension is extraordinary, as always.”
She smiled thinly. “And I thought you would ask for something difficult.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Keenan’s jaw working, but she kept her focus on the nobleman in front of her. “I don’t need the way-finder to find the sphinx, Lord Fukashi. I already know where it is.”
“Excellent! Then we—”
“But my answer is no,” she interrupted. “The object cannot be shared, so one man would still wield the sphinx’s power, no matter what we claimed for the sake of appearances.
But even if it were possible for you to share the command, I have no desire to be your puppet ruler, acting according to your bidding under the threat of the sphinx. ”
“We would never—” the lord sputtered.
“Even if I believed you,” Sakura continued, keeping a careful watch on Keenan’s reaction, “I have too great a knowledge of your character to entrust you with the well-being of the animals who would be under your care. So no, Lord Fukashi,” she repeated, shaking her head, “I believe it best to leave the sphinx right where it is.”
The noblemen around the room gaped at her. Father looked torn between pride and distress. “But Sakura,” he murmured, “they would let you be queen.”
“She still can be,” Keenan said, his voice strong and confident despite the nerves he had displayed moments earlier.
Sakura’s expression froze. Somehow, she knew he intended to address the topic she’d avoided in the hallway. She could think of two possibilities. And she wasn’t thrilled by either one.
“Are you offering to break off your betrothal, young man?” Lord Fukashi said stiffly.
“Of course not.” Keenan folded his arms over his chest. “I love her, so she’ll have to kick me to the curb herself if she wants to be rid of me.”
Sakura couldn’t help a little smile at the easy way he said it, but her heart sank. One option down. But the other was no better.
“Then what do you propose?”
“Kakureta.” Smirking, Keenan added, “I have business there anyway. And if I deliver it to you, you’ll make Sakura the crown princess. Right?”
While the noblemen whispered among themselves, Sakura squeezed her hands together. She’d just gotten him back. Losing him to the ogre was not in her plans.
But scouting Kakureta was in his. He’d said as much before the ball.
“Very well,” Lord Fukashi announced, straightening from his conversation. “When you bring us the crest from the great hall in Kakureta Castle and proof that the ogre is dead, we will enact the necessary changes to let Princess Sakura ascend to the throne.”
A look of intense concentration crossed Keenan’s face, and Sakura felt a brush of…something. He narrowed his eyes at the gathered men. “I agree to your terms. Is there anything else, or may I go prepare for my journey?”
“Keenan,” Sakura whispered.
Father stood. “I believe we have covered the agenda. Unless someone has additional business while we are here?”
When no one spoke, the meeting adjourned. Keenan bounced out of his seat and barely paused to offer his arm to Sakura before leaving the noblemen behind. She lengthened her stride to keep up.
“Keenan,” she tried again as he led her outside the castle. He patted her hand and kept walking, but he gave her a tiny smile. As if that solved anything!
When they reached a secluded area of the gardens, he finally slowed his steps and turned to face her. His blue eyes shone as he drew her close. “You know where the sphinx is? But you won’t give it up to have your throne?”
She shook her head. “The amount of magic protecting the tinderbox made it clear that you were not retrieving a simple fire-starting tool. Then you spoke of it forcing Cherry to act against her will, and I watched the effect of Kasumi’s orders on Cherry and Mamoru.
” Raising an eyebrow, she said, “I am well-acquainted with my kingdom’s history.
Did you think I would fail to recognize what you carried? ”
“I suppose not. Even if it isn’t mechanics.” He winked. “But why didn’t you tell Fukashi?”
“For the reasons I gave him,” Sakura replied with a little shrug. “I believe you can be trusted with its power. The Assembly…not so much.”
He squeezed her hands and moved to lead her back inside, but she stopped him with a hand on his chest. “Are you really leaving so soon? And to challenge the ogre for Kakureta?”
“I have to, Sakura.” Running the backs of his fingers over her cheek, he said softly, “Unless your father postpones Hari’s coronation, we have about a month to secure your claim.
And…” His fingers stilled. “When I was in their village, Chasseur implied that Miss Liesl might still be alive. If she is, I have to rescue her before it’s too late. ”
“But you’re supposed to be in a wedding in a few weeks.” She slid her hand up to his shoulder, smoothing an invisible wrinkle while she tried not to sound pathetic. “And it will be difficult to proceed without the groom.”
Instead of dismissing her concerns, Keenan pulled her into a hug. “I have every intention of being back in time. And I’ll be careful, I promise.”
“Like you were careful in the caverns? And when we fought Kasumi?”
He took a breath, then paused. “I told you that I’ll accept whatever guards you want to send with me.”
“And you’ll listen to them?” she challenged.
His grip tightened. “I have a strong incentive to make it back. I can take instruction when I need to.”
It wasn’t the certainty she wanted, but she could only have that if he stayed in Kurowan. If he gave up on Liesl and allowed more innocent travelers to lose their way in the Pass of Kakureta.
And he wouldn’t be Keenan if he could do that.
“Well, you aren’t packing just yet, at least,” Sakura finally said. She moved her hand to the top of his shoulder, and he stiffened. “You have to finish healing first. You can’t lead an expedition while fragile.”
He sighed. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”
She brought her hands back to his chest where it was safe. He hadn’t mentioned his sides, but they were probably tender as well.
“Helian did say I’m supposed to rest,” Keenan admitted, squeezing her a little tighter. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of his large hands on her back. “A week might have been the figure she tossed around, but I blocked it out.”
“Of course you did.” Sakura laughed quietly. “Sitting still is your least favorite activity.”
“Because it isn’t an activity,” he grumbled. “What am I supposed to do for a whole week of rest?”
“Spend it with me.”
His arms loosened. “That’s not a bad idea.” Pulling back a little, he cupped her jaw with one hand, gazing down at her with a mischievous smile. “If you can convince me that you really do want to be stuck with me.”
“I am as committed to our relationship as a weapon-smith who would try his best to avoid it and disappear in the middle of his betrothal ball.” She lifted one eyebrow.
Keenan laughed. “That settles it. We’re doomed.”
Then he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, eloquently expressing his satisfaction with the situation. Sakura carefully slid her hand around his neck, drawing him closer as she marveled at the twists her life had taken in the last month and a half.
She’d discovered that there was nothing requiring her to marry a soldier.
She’d fallen in love with a commoner anyway.
She might still have a chance at the throne.
And even if she lost it…even if she lost it, she would be all right.
As long as Keenan came home safe from Kakureta, everything else could be worked out.
Sakura smiled into the kiss. When he left, she would saddle him with so many guards, he would regret ever making the offer. But he would be safe.
And she would have her heart’s greatest desire.