CHAPTER 49 #4
It wasn’t long after that the party started in earnest. The tables were pushed back as the music played louder.
Guests danced and the wine flowed freely.
Kara even managed to get Sebastian to give her a couple of dances, although he grumbled the entire time.
Something about Thorne Commanders not being trained for this, having two left feet, and if he made a fool of himself, it was entirely her fault.
But he did it. And, she was sure, secretly loved it.
A little later, Sebastian nudged her with his elbow, gesturing to one of the benches by the wall. “Look there.”
Kara followed his gaze – and blinked once, then twice. Mia, her friend from Hale, sat shoulder-to-shoulder with a young Thorne lieutenant. Heads bent close. Laughter spilling between them like they’d known each other for years.
Kara’s mouth fell open. “No...”
“Oh yes.” Sebastian grinned. “I think we’ve started a trend.”
She elbowed him back. “A trend? Really?”
“Think about it,” he said, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Healer and Warrior. Stolen moments. Forbidden romance.” He glanced at her. “Sounds oddly familiar, don’t you think?”
Kara tried to scowl but failed utterly, laughter bubbling up instead. “Don’t you dare take credit for this.”
“Too late,” he said smugly, pulling her closer. “If half the Keep pairs off before the week’s out, I’ll expect wedding invitations addressed to us.”
She gave him a mock groan. “And there it is – the dreaded Thorne arrogance. Infectious as wildfire. Soon all of Vallenna will be strutting about like you.”
He laughed, unrepentant. “I can only hope. The realm would be a far better place.”
Kara rolled her eyes but leaned into him anyway. “Or unbearable,” she shot back.
“Unbearably charming,” he corrected smoothly, and kissed her quick so she couldn’t argue.
But it seemed Mia wasn’t the only Hale that was falling for the Thorne charm.
When she and Sebastian snuck out into the gardens towards the end of the evening, they spotted Alys and another Thorne lieutenant walking arm in arm, talking with bright eyes and soft glances.
Worry bloomed in Kara’s stomach at the sight.
Sebastian followed her gaze, chuckling at her. “Gods, Kara, they’re not stealing Shards and plotting an escape. They’re just talking.”
“Just talking becomes whispers. Whispers become rumours. And my father–”
“–can’t dismiss her,” Sebastian cut in smoothly. “Alys is Hale’s heir now. There is no one else. The Council wouldn’t let him risk Hale without an heir and he knows it.”
“That doesn’t mean he won’t try. You know how he’s treated us.”
Sebastian weighed his words before speaking. “I know. But not every battle is yours to fight, Kara. Let Alys fight this one if she wants to.”
Kara exhaled uneasily, still watching her cousin.
“Alys has more power than he does, and we both know it. If she decides to smile at my lieutenant, that’s her choice.” Sebastian tilted his head, amused. “Although if this carries on, I won’t have any lieutenants left.”
Kara shook her head stubbornly. “Shouldn’t we warn her? Tell her to be careful?”
“Like we were careful?” he teased.
Her cheeks flushed. “That’s not funny.”
“No,” Sebastian said, serious now. “It isn’t. But Kara, look at them. Do you want to be the one who tells them not to laugh together? Not to try? If they fall in love, so be it.”
Alys and the soldier drifted closer – still deep in conversation. Sebastian grinned mischievously. “Trying to steal one of my men for Hale, are you, Alys?” he called.
The poor man jumped at Sebastian’s voice. He looked like he wished the ground would swallow him whole. Alys arched a brow, unruffled. “Maybe he volunteered.”
Sebastian’s grin widened. “Oh, I doubt that. My soldiers don’t usually wander off without orders.”
Kara swatted his arm. “Sebastian!”
“What?” he asked innocently.
Alys folded her arms. “Well, perhaps Hale has better company than Thorne.”
Sebastian laughed loudly. “Gods, I do like her,” he said, glancing at Kara.
“I’ll return to my post if you order it, Sir,” the lieutenant muttered politely to Sebastian. “But I’d rather remain here.”
Sebastian clapped him once on the shoulder. “No duties tonight, Sam. Stay as long as you like.”
Sam nodded respectfully, but Alys gave Kara a smug look, linking her arm more firmly through his. “See? Settled.”
But Kara’s smile faded back into worry. “Alys... you know what my Father will say. He’ll–”
“I don’t think you are one to talk,” she said, looking pointedly at Sebastian.
“That’s different–”
“No, it isn’t,” Alys pressed, pinning Kara with a look. “It’s worth it, isn’t it?”
Kara faltered at that. She dropped her gaze to Sebastian’s hand on hers. “Well... of course it is.”
Alys’s expression was triumphant. “Well then, there’s nothing more to say.” She turned on her heel and tugged the apparently very willing Sam back into the courtyard shadows.
Sebastian leaned into Kara. “See? She can fight this one on her own.”
Kara glared at him. But then it dawned on them both that for the first time all day, they were alone. He caught her face in his hands and kissed her. Slow and sweet. When he pulled away, he murmured, “My wife.”
“My husband,” she echoed. “I love the sound of that.” She sighed contentedly. “This has been the best day of my life.”
“Mine too,” he said, kissing her again.
She pulled back slightly, looking up at him. “I’d do it all again, you know. The running. The pyre. All of it. To be here with you.”
His arms threaded around her waist. “I’ll make sure you never have to,” he said fiercely.
“I know,” she smiled.
In the soft lantern light on the evening of their wedding, with his lips on hers, and his arms around her, Kara had never loved him more. Would never forget this moment. She felt complete.
All of Vallenna knew it now: she was his, and he was hers. They’d fought death itself for this moment, and not even that had been able to tear them apart.
The Healer and The Warrior.
Forever.