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The early morning sun warmed Regulus’ back, and his chest grazed Adelaide’s back as they rode toward home. Her braided hair smelled of honey and flowers. A light breeze whispered through the yellowing leaves of the orchard to their right and the field of grain to their left. The horses’ hooves kept a steady beat on the rutted dirt road. Dresden rode to their right, and a white mare from the king trailed along behind carrying their saddlebags.
“Zephyr was a gift from Father,” Adelaide had murmured. “I’m sure I’ll love her eventually. But not yet.”
Regulus didn’t mind riding together in the least. Since their marriage, he found he always wanted to touch her. Hold her hand, stroke her hair, put his arm around her waist or shoulders. Just to know she was there, and to let her know he was there. To reassure himself that she was his, and he was hers, and this bliss wasn’t just a dream. Currently, he had his arms looped around her middle, Sieger’s reins held loosely in his right hand.
They didn’t have much to pack. Other than food, the saddlebags carried the gifts the king had given them at the banquet, in front of the court. Nobles had clapped and cheered and raised their glasses when the king toasted them and made certain to shake their hands and congratulate them. Many seemed genuine. Regulus pretended not to notice the others’ occasional murmurs of illegitimate, mercenary, non-noble, and foreign. Their judgment hurt, but when Regulus looked at Adelaide, he knew they were stronger than any narrow-minded, insecure nobles.
The rich gifts made Regulus nervous to travel across Monparth alone. A sack of gold coins as a reward for killing the sorcerer. A small wooden box engraved with running deer with antlers carved from actual antlers that held their unity cord. A delicate sword, about a foot long and made of pure silver with a handle of gold as a gift for Lady Tamina Belanger in recognition of Alfred’s sacrifice. Adelaide had cried when she accepted the sword.
The king had also given them the sword that hung at Regulus’ side and a set of throwing knives and a dagger Adelaide had hidden in her boots. At least their riches were hidden in an average-looking saddlebag. Besides, between the three of them, any would-be bandits would regret targeting them.
“I still don’t know how I’m going to tell Mother,” Adelaide said, breaking the silence. “And Landon...he’s going to blame me.”
“It’s not your fault. If he can’t see that, if he doesn’t see you as a hero like the king does, that’s his problem.” Regulus sighed and rubbed her upper arm through her soft sleeve. “And I’ll be with you. You won’t have to do it alone.”
She shuddered against his chest and took a shaky breath. “Promise?”
“I already did.” He kissed her cheek. “Forever and always. No more splitting up.”
She laughed and wiped away a tear. “Thank you.”
“Anything for my wife.” He kissed the back of her neck. And then behind her ear, making her giggle.
“Again, I am right here,” Drez said. “Save the newly-wed shenanigans for when you’re alone. Gracious.” But his complaining sounded a lot more like amusement than disgust.
“First on the agenda after we get to Arrano,” Adelaide said. “Find Dresden a lady so we can get some peace.”
“Now that,” Drez said with a chuckle, “is an idea I can get behind; especially now that I have somebody to keep an eye on Regulus. Which is exhausting, I hope you realize. Say, you sure you’re fresh out of unwed sisters?”
Adelaide laughed. The genuine, lighthearted laugh he loved so much, that reminded him no darkness was inescapable. “Quite sure.” She leaned her head back on Regulus’ shoulder and reached up to play with his hair. He had to fight the urge to close his eyes instead of paying attention to where Sieger was going.
Not that he cared much where they went. They needed to see Tamina, and he wanted to bring his wife home to Arrano. He could already imagine the congratulatory heckling the men would give him. But he was in no rush. He didn’t care where they traveled or how long it took to get there.
Regulus was free to do what he wanted, not only what he was told. Free to face his men without worrying if he would hurt them. Free to love Adelaide and choose to fulfill her every wish. He rested his cheek against her temple and watched the sky turn from pink to brilliant blue.
He had everything he needed right here.
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THE END
