The Next Day

Aleck clung to her, his arms tight around her waist, his head resting against her. "Do you really have to leave?"

Carissa feathered her fingers through his hair. "Yes, Aleck. And when I come back—" if she came back "—you'll have to show me how fast you can do the obstacle course."

He nodded before slowly pulling away from her, as if the movement pained him. "You're abandoning my with Sir Valen?"

"You have Lila as well."

She'd thought the name would bring a smile to his face, but instead his expression crumpled. "I woke up, and she was gone, Carissa. She's probably mad at me."

Carissa squeezed his shoulder. "Maybe she'll come back, like you did."

He shrugged. "Maybe." Aleck hugged her again. "I'll miss you. And I'm sorry for sassing you in Zonah."

Carissa laughed. "I needed a bit of sassing. Without you, I wouldn't have met Elon, you know." She glanced at the man in question, where he stood speaking in quiet tones to Sir Valen as they tightened the cinches on the horses. His head was crownless, his hair gleaming in the sunlight. At least they were going together. Even in Esmeray, she suspected it'd only take one heated glance of those brown eyes to warm her.

"You needn't make googly eyes at him all the time, Carissa."

Carissa ruffled his hair. "One day, you're going to marry some pretty girl, and you'll regret giving me and Elon so much grief."

He snorted. "I'm never getting married. I'll just hire a woman to cook and clean for me."

"What about Lila?"

He shrugged, his hands falling away from Carissa's waist. "She'd probably be a good maid... but I don't think she'd agree to. She says she hates cleaning."

"I meant marrying her, silly."

His expression scrunched in disgust. "That's gross, Carissa. She's my friend."

"Wait ten years, and the idea might seem less strange." Carissa winked at him, a habit she was picking up from Elon.

Aleck shook his head. "Enjoy your journey, Carissa." A hint of worry snuck into his gaze. "And be safe."

"Of course." She bent to peck him on the forehead and turned towards Elon. From the corner of her eye, she saw Aleck scrubbing his palm across his face, trying to wipe the remnants of her kiss away.

Carissa stopped at Elon's side, the last of her footsteps echoing in the outer bailey. Pink morning light fingered the castle walls, and the air was heavy with humidity and the promise of adventure. She had no doubt their journey would be hard, but with Elon at her side, she was ready. All she had to do was trust him.

Thoughts of yesterday flitted through her mind, and unease tickled her skin. Elon had been so quiet after Tervalyn had left. She knew he had to be disappointed in her, but Elon—being Elon—had been as affectionate and thoughtful as ever. Still, it bothered her that she hadn't been able to trust him like she'd wanted to...

But when she'd looked at Tervalyn and seen the fear brimming in her eyes, the blood seeping from her body as Carissa had stood over her, she couldn't help but remember—the times when Akar had stood over her, the men in the nighthouse, the men in the jailhouse. And at that moment, when she'd looked at Tervalyn, she'd seen herself.

Carissa chafed her arms, massaging away the goose bumps. It seemed like those memories had happened so long ago... until she chose to recall them. Then it felt as if it were happening all over again.

Something heavy landed on her shoulders, and she suppressed a startle.

Elon's cloak enveloped her own as he fastened its ties around her neck. "We're about to venture beyond the border, Carissa. The darkness there will affect you in ways you won't expect, and though we're trying to save the people of the land, some won't be grateful for our efforts and may try to kill us. And the Reapers—"

She went on her tiptoes, pressed her lips against his. "I'm ready, Elon. Where you go, I go."

Heat flared in his eyes. Elon pressed a hand to the small of her back, holding her against him and helping her balance on her toes. Then he tilted his head, drawing near until his breath dusted her lips.

"Once they start kissing, they'll probably never get to Esmeray."

"Hush, Aleck."

Carissa peered past Elon to see Sir Valen scowling at Aleck. "It seems we have an audience."

Elon bent closer, so his lips tickled her ear. "Save that kiss for me, would you, love?"

"Of course."

His lips traveled downward, and he nipped her ear lobe, briefly enough that no one would realize that they were doing more than whispering. Elon loosed his grip on her, and she rocked back to her heels, her face feeling like it'd been smothered in hot coals.

Elon turned towards the small crowd that was seeing them off, most of them servants. It seemed many of the nobles hadn't been invited—not that she minded. "Thank you for coming to bid us farewell. It's been our pleasure to serve as King and Queen in the palace, but now we both think we'd serve you best in the battlefield. In the meantime, Valen will serve as the Ruling Steward of Nysia. He's one of the strongest men I know—both in body and character—and he will serve you well."

Many turned towards Valen with bows and curtsies. Save for the shifting of cloth and whisper of movement, everyone was silent, their faces drawn in sadness. It seemed they'd miss Elon. If she were staying behind, she would too.

Elon lifted Carissa onto the horse before swinging on behind her. They were traveling with two horses, one to transport them and one to transport their goods. Both horses were tethered to each other.

Elon lifted his hand in farewell, and soon the bailey was filled with waving hands.

One woman approached them, and her gaze landed on Carissa. "Thank you for being our Queen." Her withered arms trembled as she extended a cloth sack towards Carissa.

Carissa took it and set it on her lap. "Thank you."

"May your journey prove to be a blessing to you as well as the people you serve." The older woman dipped into a teetering curtsey before righting herself.

Gears clanked, drawing Carissa's attention from the woman. The metal doors of the gate slowly parted, revealing the mountainous landscape with a backdrop of opaque, starless black. Not so long ago, she and Elon had left this gate on horseback to save their marriage. Now they left to save their world.

Elon leaned into her, and she could feel the thud of his heart. His legs tightened around the horse, and both the horses glided into a gallop. The gates rushed by them, and Carissa turned to catch what could be her last glimpse of the palace.

***

Author's Note: So. Teensy tiny problem. I didn't put a sneak peek up, because I have no idea where the story goes from here. Thoughts? Anyone?