Broken Veil (Harbinger #5)(95)

“I’ve never been handsome,” Trevon said, “so it certainly wasn’t my looks.”

“You are perfectly acceptable to me. And although I wish I were taller, I am tall enough.”

They stopped near the huge fallen Shui-sa tree on the beach. She rubbed one hand along its wet, smooth trunk.

“I used to walk along this shore so many days,” Sera said wistfully, “dreaming of a way out.” She glanced up at his face. “You rescued me from this prison. I’m grateful, to be sure. But it was this experience that brought about the greatest change in my life.”

“What do you mean, Sera?” he asked.

She stared off at the sea, listening for a moment to the crashing of the waves. There was power in water. A certain majesty that couldn’t be explained.

“My father is a direct descendent of the first empress. I was always taught that a person’s lineage was directly linked to their power. Yet I couldn’t work the Mysteries as I thought I should. Failure made me doubt myself. It made me impatient. I was forced to learn patience at Pavenham Sky. I was forced into a state of humility. And yet I learned something else about myself as well. No matter what restrictions they put on me, they could not force my mind to be still. I was sovereign over only one thing, and that was my thoughts. My parents, Lady Corinne, even that loathsome Wizr Jevin . . . they all tried to rule my will. But I could not be ruled by them.” She smiled in a sad way. “I wish I’d known that at Muirwood. I would have learned the lessons much faster. I’d have been much less selfish.”

Trevon let go of her hand and began to climb atop the dead trunk.

“What are you doing?” Sera asked.

“You’ve said before you used to climb up here and walk along this trunk. I wanted to see what it was like.”

“It’s slippery. Be careful.”

“If you could do it, Sera, I think I can manage.”

He reached the top and then took a few steps toward the massive gnarled roots at the end facing the sea, which were probably three or four times his height. She clambered up beside him. It brought back vivid memories, and she could almost hear Master Sewell giving her a halfhearted warning to come down. At her invitation, he had joined the palace staff.

“Could we go to Muirwood tomorrow?” Trevon asked, turning around and facing her on the log.

“If you’d like,” Sera answered. “Do you want to see the apple orchard again before you go?”

“Actually, I was hoping to speak to the Aldermaston,” he said. “I have a peculiar question for him.”

Sera took a few steps closer. “What kind of question? Can I help?” She’d told him about Lady Sinia and how she had been sent by the Knowing to help them. The tale of her abduction had been solved at long last. Trevon had believed her, and they’d shared the news with Prince Kasdan and his wife, who, come to think of it, hadn’t seemed all that surprised by the revelation.

“I’m curious,” Trevon said thoughtfully, “if a marriage performed in Kingfountain would still be considered a marriage here in this world. Or would it have to happen again to be just as binding?”

Her heart trembled. “What do you mean?”

His lips were pressed tightly together. Then he asked, “What if I stayed?”

She blinked in surprise. She didn’t dare even breathe.

He took a step toward her. “Look at this devastation,” he said, gesturing toward the ruins spilling around them. “This . . . wreckage that the fissure between our worlds caused. So many lives lost on both sides.” He shook his head sadly. “But I fear that we wrought the greater harm. We were the ones who kept trying to attack. To change your beliefs to better match ours.” He put his hands on his hips. He looked away again. “When I asked to treat with you . . . back when you were a prisoner here . . . I hoped to free you not only from your confinement, but from what I saw as the confinement of your faith. Yet you turned the tables on me, Sera.” He gave her a slow smile. “You asked if I would be willing to give up what I cared about, what I believed in, and adopt your ways. Would it be fair to ask the same of you?”

“I remember that little speech,” Sera said, her heart swelling.

“It wouldn’t be fair to ask it of you,” Trevon said. “My time as a prisoner also taught me that. I worried so much about you. I swore if I ever got free, if I ever found you again . . . that I wouldn’t let us be parted.”

Sera bit her lip, then said, “Trevon?”

“What if I choose to stay?” he asked again. “My brother has proven he is a capable ruler. He’s the one who fought for my throne . . . he’s the one who has earned it. I think the hollow crown would sit perfectly well on his head. I’ve been thinking about this since you told me about the closing of the mirror gates.” He pressed his lips together again. “I’m ready to make my choice. If you’ll have me, I choose you, Sera Fitzempress. I will be your consort. You will be my ruler.”

Sera felt such strong emotions she thought the ocean was surging inside her heart. “But we could rule . . . together!”

Trevon gave her a slow shake of his head. “I don’t think your people would accept that. At least not yet. So I make no demands. I have no expectations. Whatever is right, we will do it. And you will be the most influential ruler since your forebear ascended to her power.”