Chapter 34 Iann
IANN
It takes us five days to cross the Graying Sea. We move into familiar waters, my body knowing every wave as if they are old friends. The air brings back a million memories and once we hit a crystalline shore, my fear dissolves like foam out on the surf.
Saden.
Green flags wave at the shoreline, banners rippling with the breeze, and Saden soldiers have lined the beach with tents.
Marcel or my father must have sent them, expecting our arrival, and I wonder how long they have been camped here.
“That’s Saden?” Ariah holds on to my arms as I wrap her in a bear hug and rest my head on her shoulder as we stare out at my home.
“I’ve been to hundreds of places”—Benny takes a swig from the flask Deean hands him—“but nothing compares to Saden.”
Vera peers through a spyglass. “It’s nice, but I’ve seen better. Like the orchards near Plumming or the Fields of Evertaum in Haymel. You boys are going to have to show us more than this to impress us.”
Chana gives her arm a push and snatches the spyglass from her. She only looks and never comments on whether it’s the most beautiful sight she’s ever seen, though I suspect for her Ethmay would win every time.
“So, what now?” Sky leans against the post. “We are free from Queen Cayleen and yet we can’t go home. What are we to do?”
“King Marcel will grant you pardons,” Deean answers before I get the chance. “You’ll be declared allies and then you’ll have the freedom to choose what you do next. You can stay or you can make new lives elsewhere. That’s why you all left Haymel, isn’t it?”
They silently take in his words, letting them truly sink in. They’ve been searching for freedom for years and finally have it back.
“And what will you do?” I say low enough so others won’t hear, and apply a kiss to Ariah’s temple. My lips are pillowed by dozens of curls.
Her gaze hasn’t left the shoreline. “I’m going to see what my parents want.” She takes another minute. “But I think I would really like to stay. Or go with you on your next trip.”
“Another crew member. First Benny and Deean, and now you.”
She spins so she can rest her head on my chest. “You think I would stay behind while you have all the fun? Didn’t I say I’m following you anywhere? You are going to be so sick of me, you’d wish you left me back in Haymel.”
“Not possible.” If everyone wasn’t on deck right now, I’d ravish her. Trail every inch of her being until it’s embedded in my mind, I don’t want to forget a thing about her.
Trumpets cry out and we watch the people prepare for our rival. Just when the day couldn’t get better, four figures emerge from the grandest tent. My father, mother, Marcel, and Gran wave us on as the ship comes in.
As soon as I step onto the sandy floor my mother is right there, not caring who is in her way. She kisses my forehead and then spots Deean.
Before his kiss she slaps his arm. “What is wrong with you?” She gives him a look like she’s scolding a child.
My father comes to me and grips both sides of my shoulders before pulling me in. “Your brother told us what that evildoer tried to do. I should have never sent you. Our line could have ended in one night.”
I pull away, patting an arm. “Well, we had help.” Stepping to the side I reveal the Foxes, announcing each by name. “They request pardons and protection. Without them, we would have never returned.”
My father has no hesitation about the request and has a few guards show them to tents where they can freshen up.
The only one who stays behind is Ariah, standing close to my side.
Once Marcel and Gran take their turns with greetings, I properly introduce her to my family.
She bows to my parents. “It is a pleasure to meet you all. Iann speaks highly of all of you.”
“Ariah here is the one that led us to the Ivian Flower,” Deean fluffs her up for our parents, even though I don’t think it’s needed. “She is also the one who defied her own Queen to save us.”
My father folds his arms in front of him as my mother steps forward, walking up to Ariah. “You defied your Queen to save my son?”
Ariah shifts but finds confidence in her stance as she replies, “I did. Not just for your sons, but for myself too, and my friends. I’d do it again if it meant saving him.”
Gran cracks a sly smile but refrains from commentary.
My mother grabs both sides of Ariah’s face. “Anyone willing to save one of my boys is most welcome in Saden.” She lets go and spins around, extending an arm for Ariah to hold on to. “I would like you to tell me all about your trip and leave nothing out.”
Ariah looks back, tossing me a smile before my mom throws a wink of her own.
Deean slaps my back. “That was easy enough. I’m sure she’ll have Ariah planning for your marriage in no time.”
“Shut up.” I push him and we join the others and head to the tent.
Days later my mother throws a party, as she does best, to celebrate our return and discovery.
My father is still in shock that the tree even exists, but hasn’t discussed my mother ingesting the petals or her illness. I also think he’s afraid of her saying no.
I understand she may not want to be immortal, but the alternative is just as terrifying.
No one else has done anything with their flowers, and no one is too sure what to do.
Ariah, who refuses to use it, has prepared to have it shipped to Morrena. Come morning, a carrier will take it and settle the deal between them.
My mother introduces Ariah to several party goers, and it isn’t until later in the evening when I whisk her away from the festivities.
“Where are we going?” She clings to her dress as I run us through the halls.
“Trust me.”
Taking her to the dining hall, I rush us out of the courtyard doors and pass the fountains.
I allow us to go from a run to a light jog, leading her past hedges and down a rocky path.
When I see the carriage waiting, I know her wait is almost over.
The driver opens the door and I extend my hand for her.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
My eyebrows gesture for her to get in and she does with little fuss. I climb in and slide beside her. With a tap on the roof of the carriage we’re off.
She gives up asking questions and offers up a kiss instead. A hand that’s cupped around my cheek slides down my neck and then to the buttons of my shirt. Her lips hold me hostage, but they can have me anytime.
I take the hand at my buttons. “I’m still not telling you where we’re going.”
She smiles before silencing my words by deepening our kiss that I kindly oblige to.
“You’re going to hate me.” I laugh as I pry myself away from her and reach for a piece of fabric on the seat across from us. “I want this to be a surprise and need you to put this on.”
She squints and rolls her eyes, but spins around anyway. “Fine. I guess I can play nice.”
I cover her eyes and tie the fabric around the back of her head. My lips draw near her ear and I feel her body shudder when she realizes how close I am. “Not too nice.”
“That depends on how nice this surprise is.”
The driver comes to a stop, and I help her down. Leading her a few feet away from the carriage, I face her in the desired direction and pull the blindfold off.
“One of my favorite places in Saden is Petal Path.” My mouth moves near her ear. “I thought you would enjoy it as well.”
Her mouth drops open and she walks without realizing I’m not at her side. Instead, I watch her admire it all.
Tonight, Petal Path is filled with thousands of fireflies that make needing a light of our own unnecessary.
“Iann,” she says my name with amazement. I point behind her before she can continue. Spinning in the direction of my finger she spots bushes of hydrangeas. “No way.”
I follow her as she moves deeper into the flower maze. “You like it?”
“Like it, I’m in love.” She inhales the different varieties. “It reminds me of home.”
What I wouldn’t give for this to be her home. For her to know the land’s wonders just as I do.
One minute I’m watching her and the next my hand is at her waist pulling her to me. I rest my nose to hers and together we remain still. Not wanting to move or speak.
A hand grips my shoulder as one moves higher, inching toward the nape of my neck.
Our lips hover closer, catching each other’s breath but before we close the gap, I move my mouth to her neck planting kisses all the way down until I reach her collarbone.
“Iann,” she whispers, pulling my face back to hers, and I’m greeted with a look of worry, or maybe fear. It’s one I’ve never seen before so it’s hard to read.
“Do you want me to stop?” Concern I’ve done something wrong sets in.
She shakes her head, and a smile eases the restlessness inside.
“Absolutely not.” She places a hand in mine.
“I think…I think I’m falling in love with you.
” She repeats the words just the way I said them to her at the ball.
I thought it would take more time for her to get there, which would be an excruciating wait, but one I would endure a hundred times over.
In this moment that’s all it takes for me to fall into her.
“I’ve been unsure about several things in life. But not this.”
“I love you too, Ariah Tyddle.” I kiss her with the intensity of a thousand storms. My insides are set ablaze and there isn’t a thing I wouldn’t do or destroy to get to this woman. She’s forever stolen the most important part of me, and without her there is no me.