Brightly Woven(85)

“You mean the world to me,” I said. I reached for his hand, but he pulled away.

“But I’m not your world, and I’ll never be,” Henry replied. “I wanted to…make a life with you. Raise a family. Grow old. I want you to know the truth because I love you, and that won’t ever change.”

Henry snapped the lid shut on his trunk and dragged it onto the floor.

“I love you, too, Henry,” I said. “But I can’t give you what you deserve.”

He blew out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair.

I pressed a hand against my heart, and a part of me still felt like crying. “What will you do next?”

“Go back to Cliffton, help Father with the fields until I clear my head,” Henry said. “I’m not much for politics, but if your father asked me to, I would take his place here. It’s important work, you know? I got to cast Cliffton’s vote to allow the queen to hold on to her title. I thought that would make you happy.”

“It does,” I said. “By the way everyone talked about her at home, I thought she’d be a pretty face and little more, but she’s…”

“A bit of a lion heart,” Henry finished. “I don’t think the wizard leaders will be too happy with her when they find out she’s taking back a generous portion of their power. From what I understand, the Sorceress Imperial will have to pass everything through her and give the queen final say.”

I opened my mouth, but a distant roar of applause and cheers stole the words from my mouth. I turned toward the sound of it, wondering—

“We heard the news this morning,” Henry said. “They were successful in getting Auster to sign the treaty, though I don’t think we’re in a better position than before. The brother of Auster’s queen has assumed the throne, and from what I understand, he’s a ruthless piece of work.”

And we had sent Dorwan to receive whatever punishment the new king saw fit. What that meant for Dorwan, I wasn’t sure, but I knew I wouldn’t feel completely safe until word arrived that he was dead. There was still the chance that he could escape or somehow gain the ear of the new king….

I didn’t want to think about it, not when there was so much to celebrate.

“Are they really back?” I asked. Henry nodded. Trumpets sounded, announcing the queen’s presence, and the cheers from the courtyard grew louder.

“I guess that’s my cue to leave,” Henry said. “Well, go on, hail the conquering heroes and all that. If you get bored of this life of adventure, stop by Cliffton and say hello to the simple folk.”

“Of course,” I said. I wrapped my arms around him, but it was nothing like our past embraces. “Will you tell my parents that I love and miss them very much?”

Henry nodded. “Come on,” he said. “I’ll walk you out.”

I lost Henry’s shape in the crowds as I pushed my way through the cheering masses, trying to squeeze my way up front.

The queen stood at the top of the marble staircase, wearing her ceremonial purple robes. She was surrounded by human ambassadors and advisors, while all of the wizards were on the ground below, holding back the crowds. Banners and flags had been strung up around the courtyard.

I glanced up at the queen, surprised to find her eyes fixed on me. She gave me a little nod of acknowledgment, but just as quickly her attention was drawn back to the courtyard, where the first horses appeared, as the crowd exploded in applause.

The Sorceress Imperial led the procession, followed closely by Oliver and several members of the Wizard Guard I didn’t recognize, but not the one wizard I was looking for.

He and Owain were at the very end of the procession, chuckling about something as they guided their horses forward. Owain idly stroked Vesta’s mane; his own hair, remarkably, looked as if it had been brushed and tied back. North was still in his leather armor, and the cloak I made for him was spread out over his shoulders. There was color in his face, and a smile that stretched from ear to ear when he observed the crowds. With the sun shining directly on him, North was happy and, for the first time, receiving the recognition he deserved.

I watched his eyes cast out over the crowds and took a careful step back. I didn’t want anything to interrupt this moment for him.

They gathered with the others at the base of the stairs, dismounting from their horses. Several attendants rushed forward to lead the animals away.

North was still scanning the crowd as his mother walked up the steps to where the queen was waiting. Wordlessly, the Sorceress Imperial handed over a scroll, and the crowd hushed as Queen Eglantine read it.

“I would first like to thank each one of you for your service to our people,” said the queen loudly. “It was at great risk that you traveled into our enemy’s country, and that kind of bravery does not go unnoticed.”

At her side, the Sorceress Imperial turned away from the crowd. North climbed a few steps and turned to face the crowd again. From that height, he spotted me right away. I gave a little wave, and the grin on his face was enough to send a flush of happiness through me. He jumped down from the steps and forced his way through the crowd. I ran forward, an enormous smile on my face.

“It gives me great pleasure,” the queen was saying, “to accept Auster’s terms for peace.”

I threw my arms around North’s neck, and the crowds flooded around us, sending up songs and shouts into the air. I laughed, pressing my cheek against North’s warm skin, and felt one of his hands come up to tangle in my hair.