Chapter Nineteen
Bouncy Carriages Still Suck
Prince Elias was my father.
The shock of it had me in a daze as we woke, gathered our things, and left the cave just as the sun rose, shining on the mountaintops. Once at the inn, Lake snuck upstairs while Rowan and I went into the dining area for breakfast. I shoveled food into my mouth, but it was tasteless on my tongue and churned in my stomach.
I was a prince. Or would I be a duke? Royal titles confused me. What I did know? I was Sawyer’s cousin. Which helped explain why some people thought we looked alike.
Excitement mingled with the shock as something else occurred to me. Growing up in the foster care system and never knowing my family, I now had living relatives. Cousins. An uncle and an aunt—who also just so happened to be the king and queen of Bremloc.
But I couldn’t tell any of them.
Rowan didn’t press me for answers, yet his gaze lingered on me as we ate. He knew something was on my mind. After breakfast, he and I met Lake upstairs and packed our things.
“Are you all right?” Lake asked, pulling me into his arms. “Your mood seems off.”
Rowan looked at me.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” I rested my head on Lake’s chest. “Just ready to go home.”
Once I had all my men together in the same room, I’d tell them everything. About my mom being from Exalos… and who I truly was.
Lake nuzzled my neck before grabbing his bag and sneaking from the window. I watched as he shot toward the coverage of trees beside the inn. Once he was safely out of sight, I turned to Rowan.
“Will you stay with me during the journey home?” I asked, sounding pretty damn pathetic. “I don’t want to be alone in the carriage.”
Being alone would give me too much time to dwell on things and obsess. The truth? I was scared out of my mind. Assassins from Haran had tracked down my parents and killed them, all because my dad refused to marry the princess. Because he’d followed his heart and chose my mom instead. I was the result of that betrayal. Haran would hunt me down, too, if they learned I was still alive.
“This is where I’d normally tease you about being a sad toad.” Rowan grabbed my hand and used it to pull me closer. “But that look on your face is kind of hurting my heart, little treasure.”
“Sorry. I’m just tired.”
His eyes narrowed, and I thought he might call me out on the lie. Instead, he handed me my satchel and tossed my bigger bag over his shoulder before leaving the room.
Hershel had just arrived with the carriage when we stepped outside. As he loaded the bags, I walked over to Samson and fed him a carrot I’d snatched from the kitchen. He lightly head-butted me as thanks. But I didn’t speak horse. He could’ve been telling me to fuck off for all I knew.
“Fortunate to see you in one piece,” Finnian told me as he and August joined us by the carriage. “When the thief said he’d be spending the evening with you, I had my doubts whether you’d still have your head come morning.”
Rowan sneered at him. “Evan is safe with me. You, on the other hand…”
“You threatenin’ us, boy?” August slapped a hand to the hilt of his sword.
“Oh no. Not a guard with a pointy stick.” Rowan slumped against the side of the carriage and picked at his nails. “How will I ever survive?”
“I liked it better when you were hidin’ in the shadows,” August growled at him.
“Problem here, gentlemen?” Callum called out as he and Duke descended the front steps of the inn, bags in tow.
August curled his lip at Callum before going over to his horse and fastening the saddlebag.
“Forgive him,” Finnian told us. “The kitchen ran out of blackberry jam for his bread, so he’s grumpy.”
“Shut that hole in your mouth, Finn, and mount your horse. We’re losing daylight.”
“See? He’s such a grouch.” Finnian shook his head with a sigh and clapped me on the back. “Are you packed and ready to leave Exalos?”
“Yeah.” And I was taking back with me more than I’d come with. A heavy truth I wasn’t sure how long I could carry by myself.
Duke appeared on my left side and lowered his chin to my shoulder. “Please tell me you have a bag of treats for the road.”
Callum did the same on my right side, bringing with him a sweet scent. “I need one of your chocolate muffins.”
“You two are in luck, then,” I said, amused. They were like overgrown toddlers when it came to snack time. “I packed some of the leftovers from opening day. Cookies, mostly, but there’s a few muffins and croissants too.”
A shadow passed in front of me as Ban appeared, towering over the rest of us. He didn’t smile, but the soft gleam in his eyes was evident. He nodded to me before approaching his horse—also the largest of the group. It had to be to hold a giant like him.
Ban was a gentle giant though. Protective but sweet. Lake had dried out the flower he’d given me, and I’d tucked it between the pages of the book in my satchel. Proof of Ban’s kind nature that I could carry with me.
“Up you go.” Callum took my hand and helped me into the carriage. Before he pulled away, I could’ve sworn his lips brushed my hair. Or maybe I was just sleep-deprived and imagining things.
“Thanks, fair knight.”
“Any time, milord.”
Little did he know just how spot-on his words were.
Rowan waited for me in the carriage, sitting in the seat across from mine. He glared at Callum as my cinnamon roll of a knight shut the door.
“Why don’t you like him?” I asked once we were alone. There was a sharp jolt before the carriage sprang into motion. The sound of hooves clacked against the road.
“I don’t like anyone.” Rowan crossed one leg over the other. “Well. Apart from you. And maybe the wolf. He’s not as irritating as I once thought.”
“But you’re like super mean to Cal.”
“I’m not mean to him. He just grates on my nerves.”
“Why?”
His topaz eyes landed on me. “Because he’s a coward.”
“He’s the furthest thing from a coward,” I said in a defensive tone. “Cal is the greatest swordsman in the Second Order. He’s also risked his life fighting demons and—”
“Yes, yes, he’s so brave when it comes to wielding his sword,” Rowan interjected with a flick of his hand. “Yet, he’s a goddamn coward when it comes to his heart.”
That stumped me.
Rowan pinched the bridge of his nose. “You really are oblivious. It’s both adorable and frustrating.” He dropped his hand from his face and placed it on the golden cuff in his hair, toying with it. “I won’t be an ass and reveal his little secret. So you have to figure it out on your own or wait until he’s grown a backbone and tells you himself.” He smirked. “The sad toad makes his appearance once again.”
“Oh, stop.” I slouched in the seat and hugged my satchel. I did feel awfully pout-ish. “Say goodbye to your woo points.”
He snorted. “I have no need for them anymore. You’ve already been wooed.”
“I’m more than wooed,” I said. “I’ve fallen hard for you, Rowan.”
His grin slipped into a genuine smile. “Falling isn’t as scary when it’s with you.”
The words landed on my heartstrings, plucking at them one by one.
“You don’t mind being tied down to one place?” I rubbed at the corner of my eye where a tear had surged forward. “No more traveling across the lands, pickpocketing and being your non-bandit self. No more wild adventures.”
“Eh, I wouldn’t say that.” Rowan crossed the space between us and sat beside me. “A life with you will be a great adventure. The best one yet.”
“Yeah.” I laid my head on his shoulder and looked out the window. “I can’t wait.”
“Me either.”
Buildings started to lessen, and more trees appeared as we headed farther out of the city. I said a silent farewell to the friends I’d made, hoping I’d see them again someday. Hoping William and Edwin found their happily ever after. Hoping Xavier stopped living in regret and opened his heart to the world around him.
Leaving Exalos felt like the end of another chapter in my life. But how long was the book?
How many more chapters would I get?
***
Three days later, the bouncy carriage bounced its way across the capital’s border. Winter had come to Bremloc. Snow covered the land and made the road slushy.
My stomach was in knots as the dark wood came into view, the snowcapped trees stretching farther than the eye could see. We passed a farmhouse and a barn full of hay. Cows and other livestock. Farther along we trudged until the top of the bell tower in the marketplace appeared in the distance. A chilly breeze came through the open window, carrying a hint of salt water and the crispness of winter.
We’re almost home.
The anticipation rolled around inside me, and I could barely sit still. Just a few more miles. Rowan stirred from where he’d been asleep beside me and peered out the window. True to his word, he hadn’t used the shadows to escape during the journey. He’d stayed with me the entire time.
“Stop moving so much,” Rowan grumbled. “You’re making the already bouncy seat bounce even more.”
“Sorry. I’m just excited.”
Though faint, he smiled. “Eager to see your captain and Specs?”
“I love that you call Briar that. Makes me laugh.” I forced my legs to stop bouncing and tried to be still. It lasted all of five seconds before the anticipation and impatience had them moving again. “Can’t this thing go any faster?”
“You could always flee the carriage, steal one of the guard’s horses, and make a run for it. You’d get there faster on horseback. Oh, wait. This is you we’re talking about. Never mind.”
I lightly elbowed him in the ribs.
He emitted an oof before giving a raspy laugh. “So feisty.”
“You brought my wrath down on yourself.”
“And I’ll happily do it again.” Rowan pressed his mouth to the shell of my ear. “I love you, Evan. I fought my feelings for so long. Denied them. But I meant what I told the wolf during the winter solstice. My home is with you. And so is my heart.”
Emotion rose up and wedged in my throat. “I love you too. You own a piece of me no one else will.”
He smiled before snatching my chin and softly capturing my lips. Electric pulses traveled through my veins, and my heart felt like a firework with a lit fuse, the flame chasing the string and preparing to detonate.
The carriage chose that moment to hit a huge bump and send us crashing even more into each other. I landed on top of him, and our teeth clanked.
Rowan started laughing. That got me laughing too. The happy tingles moving through my body made me feel like I was on cloud nine. And he was right there with me, feeling the same emotions. Elated by our mutual confessions. Excited to deeper explore our feelings and build a life together.
“I’ve been doing some thinking,” Rowan said, brushing aside my bangs. “The Secret Order is a farce right now. As I told your captain, I snuck around the castle for weeks, and none of them even noticed. They need someone who’ll help them tap into their true potential. Teach them the art of being a spy.”
I grinned. “Are you suggesting what I think you are?”
“If I’m going to live in Bremloc, I might as well try to find honest work,” he responded. “Why not lend my talents to those entrusted with the kingdom’s innermost secrets and security? Sir Rowan of the Secret Order has a nice ring to it.”
I kissed him. He smiled against my lips and tugged his fingers through the back of my hair.
And that’s exactly how we were when the carriage door opened.
“Oh,” Callum said in surprise. “Apologies for the interruption, but we’ve, uh, arrived.”
“Do you hear that, little treasure?” Rowan scraped his teeth along my jaw. “You’re home.”
I flung upward and looked out the window. My heart squeezed at the sight of the cottage. The hearth had been lit, and smoke wafted upward. The smell of bread baking in the oven filtered into the cab.
“Go.” Rowan smacked my ass. “I bet they’re waiting for you.”
I grabbed his hand and pulled him up with me as I exited the carriage. A layer of snow covered the ground and crunched under my boots. Two bluebirds chased each other through the air and landed in a tree, causing powdery snow to fall from the branch.
“Evan?”
His voice. My grump of a captain.
Hot tears sprang to my eyes as I turned to see Maddox and Briar in front of the cottage. Both were dressed for winter, wearing knee-high boots and heavy cloaks, Maddox in black and Briar in dark green.
Rowan lifted my hand and kissed the top of it before setting me loose.
I ran straight toward them, the burn in my throat matching the one in my eyes.
Maddox caught me against his chest and lifted me off the ground, burying his face against my neck. He was shaking. “Gods, I missed you, sweetheart.”
A small cry left me as I caught his scent of leather and warm spice. “I missed you too, big guy.”
He then slammed our mouths together, kissing me so deep it made me weak in the knees.
“What have I told you about sharing, Captain?”
I spun around to Briar. A snowflake drifted from the roof and landed in his light brown hair. His expression gave me butterflies, eyes soft but something strong burning in the depths. “Welcome back, love.”
I threw my arms around him and kissed him. He smelled like magnolia blossoms and honeysuckle. It was a stark contrast to the world of winter around us. But with him, I had an eternal spring.
Maddox retook me in his arms and feathered kisses in my hair while Briar pressed his lips to my temple.
A heavy discussion would need to happen soon. I had to tell them about my parents. That my dad was the prince who’d betrayed Haran and sent the kingdoms back into war. That assassins had killed him and might come after me next if the wrong person learned the truth.
But for now? I soaked up their affection—their love—and sank deeper into their arms.
“I’m home.”
The End