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THE FOLLOWING MORNING as the sun floods the room with light, everyone wakes up in a good mood and Everleigh is rested and ready to make plans.
Addyson, Della and Ginata sit on her bed, legs tucked under them, sipping on ale. Ceryn is standing near the window seat. Finn is sitting up on the bed that he had slept on and Archer and Weaver are stood near the door. The teacher has gone out for some fresh morning air. Will is by Everleigh’s side, reluctant to leave it.
“Weaver, if you are still happy to go to the villages and recruit more men, I think that needs to be a priority. I don’t know how many men Millard has left, but there will always be someone ready to attack.”
Weaver nods his assent. “I’ll leave straightaway.” He gestures at Ceryn and Archer. “We’ve been talking and I know where I’m going and who I’ll be asking. I should be gone three days, if I don’t run into trouble.”
“Be careful.”
“I will be.” He bows to Everleigh and then hugs Ceryn and Archer.
Everleigh turns to the bed. “Della, I’d love you to stay at the castle full time, but I understand you have a life of your own at the cottage, with your brother.” Everleigh glances at Finn who barely smiles and then looks away.
Della smiles at Addyson. “I’d need to think about that. I love your sister, Everleigh, and I want to look after her, but I do have my little life at home. And Finn of course.”
“I can look after myself.” Finn’s voice is gruff and he looks grumpy. He’s been quiet since Everleigh was found and brought back to the castle.
“There’s no need to decide right now. But if you could stay until we know where my brother is and that he’s no longer a threat to Addyson, I’d feel better. I’d like her to have some company until she’s free to roam the castle and the grounds again.”
“I would be honoured to.”
“Thank you. Finn, you’re free to do as you please. You’d be welcome to make a home for yourself at the castle, especially if Della decides to stay. But...” Everleigh trails off. She likes Finn and she’s spent a bit of time with him in the past few days, but he seems surly today.
“Ginata.” Everleigh moves to her side and takes her hand, Will her little shadow right beside her. “I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done, staying in the castle, pretending to be on my brother’s side. I know it can’t have been easy. You must have been so scared.”
Ginata nods, but stays silent, looking down. Everleigh hugs her.
“I’d like you to crown me. If you’re happy to.”
“Of course.”
“Without Millard here I’m the rightful heir to the throne. The only opposition will come from him or his men and we have no idea where he is. Thanks to Ceryn, Wolf is locked away – he’s the biggest ally Millard’s got. He might be quite useless without him. How long do we need, Ginata, to arrange everything?”
“We could do it on Saturday or Sunday.”
“If we wait until Sunday,” Archer says, “Weaver will definitely be back with reinforcements. Your coronation will be the perfect opportunity for Millard to cause trouble. Better to have everything in place.”
“Four days is good. We can send the heralds out to the villages and get word further afield to all corners of the Realm. There are plenty of visitors here but we should still announce it.”
“I want it to be special”
“It will be.”
“Ceryn, Archer. Are you happy to keep fighting for me? Protecting me?”
They both nod. Archer takes her hand and Will moves out of the way, lurking next to Ceryn who grins at him and shoves him on the shoulder. He shoves her back and they laugh.
“I’ve always known I would serve a Queen and I am glad that it’s you.”
“I’m glad I’ve got you.”
Ceryn pokes Will, then sticks her finger down her throat, pretending to be sick. They laugh like naughty children but when Everleigh glares at them they stop.
“I never thought I would serve a Queen, nor anyone else. But I’m proud that you want me. I don’t like to be sentimental, but I believe you will be a great Queen and I’ll be glad to come along for the ride.”
“Thank you, Ceryn. I’m glad we’re alright.”
“We are.”
The secret about Ceryn’s feelings for Archer sits between them, unspoken and sure to be eventually forgotten about.
“And me?” Will goes back to Everleigh’s side.
“You don’t have to stick so close to me, we’re both safe now.”
“I know. But I nearly got you killed.”
“Will you weren’t born to be a fighter, for me or anyone else, and that’s fine.”
“I know. I was born to be a fool.”
“Not for me. My fool will be someone who wants to make me laugh, not my best friend, not someone who would die for me, not you. You will be my closest ally and my truest advisor. If you’re happy to be?”
Will nods and springs into a somersault. “Yes please.”
“I’m going to ask the teacher if he’ll stay for a while too. I don’t want my father’s stuffy old advisors, but I do need someone on my side who has more wisdom and experience than me. I’m hoping he’ll be happy to help.
“I’m sure he will be.”
“I hope so. I want to learn a bit about my magic too. See if I can control and harness my powers a bit better.”
“Good idea.”
“Right, boys, out you go. We girls need to get ready for the day.”
Once Archer, Will and Finn have left the room, Everleigh asks one of the little maids outside to fetch hot water. She turns to Ceryn. “I love you, but you need a bath.”