by H. L. Burke
Kay came up behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Are you all right?” he whispered.
She nodded, but couldn’t stop searching the crowd before her. Would no one come to greet her? Did a decade away mean no one remembered or cared for her?
As if in answer, a trumpet sounded in the distance, and the crowd parted like soil before a plow. A procession snaked down the street from the palace: prancing desert ponies with obsidian flanks and ostrich plumes on their heads, a golden chariot with a canopy of scarlet cloth, and banners, so many banners.
Tears formed in her eyes. Her family hadn’t forgotten her.
The Frorian wardens who had accompanied them formed ranks on either side of the dock as Arynne and Kay descended the ramp. Their four children followed behind them. Their youngest and only daughter—Elfrida—held the elderly cat-owl, Sol, in her arms as she stared wide-eyed at the populace.
“They look like us,” the little girl whispered.
Pride flooded Arynne’s chest. While all four of her children were fairer than herself, they were also far darker in skin-tone than the Frorians they’d grown up around. While being kin to the king protected them from prejudices that might have otherwise formed, Arynne had always regretted that they didn’t see more folk like themselves regularly.
The royal procession stopped before them, and a familiar face descended from the lead chariot. Arynne drew closer to Kay, suddenly nervous. Vanya had not changed much in the passing years. Perhaps a little broader at the waist and with deeper furrows about his eyes, but otherwise he was the same man, the same brother, Arynne remembered.
His eyes widened. “Little one!” He rushed to her. Kay stepped aside as her brother swept her into a tight embrace, ignoring the stares of the public at large.
Tears spurted from Arynne’s eyes. “Oh Vanya—it’s been far too long.”
They held each other for a long moment. Arynne sniffed away her tears and regained some control.
Finally Vanya released her and cast a skeptical eye at Kay. “And you, Prince Kajik. If I remember correctly, when you came to collect my sister, you said it was as a bride for your brother.”
Kay chuckled and answered in accented Solean. “Yes, well, funny story, that—”
“Oh shush.” Arynne playfully slapped Vanya’s shoulder. “You’ve read enough of my letters to know the full tale. Don’t try and bully my husband over what you already know.”
“The full tale?” Vanya laughed. “I would say in the broadest terms, perhaps, but of the details, I have many probing questions.” He turned his attention to the line of children. “For instance, you mentioned children, but I don’t believe you’ve ever written to tell me their names ... or that there was another on the way. You have been fruitful in your time away.”
“Greetings, Uncle Vanya,” Arynne’s children said in perfect Solean. Her chin shot pridefully into the air. She had done much coaching to be certain they’d know her native tongue as well as their father’s.
“Vanya, meet your nephews and niece.” She went down the line. “This is Ivak, our oldest, he will be nine shortly. Warrick is seven, and Elfrida, our only girl—at least for the time being—” She caressed her stomach. She had a feeling this one was also a daughter, “—is four.”
Vanya eyed the child between Warrick and Elfrida. “I believe you have forgotten one.”
A smile quirked Arynne’s lips. “Vanya is six.”
The little boy beamed.
The older Vanya’s eyes widened. “That is a great gift, sister.”
She touched her brother’s shoulder. “The stubborn girl who left your care came to appreciate your wisdom as she had children of her own. I am thankful I had this chance to honor you.”
He angled away for a moment, and when he faced her again, his eyes were damp. “Let us get out of the heat. You traveled far. You must be hungry and tired.”
“I won’t lie. A good meal and a cool place to sit down would suit me right about now.” Kay eased to Arynne’s side and took her hand.
Vanya escorted them to a wagon with cushioned seats in the bed and a canopy to block out the sun. Arynne made certain all her children were seated and understood not to hang over the edges before taking her place beside Kay. Her husband nodded to the driver, and they were off.
As they traveled down the Solean streets, a ray of sun caught upon the pendant hanging from a chain around Arynne’s neck: a single starshard, the same that Kay had given her so many starcycles before, upon their first meeting. He smiled, and his hand strayed to touch the piece of jewelry before settling on her cheek.
“Are you happy to be home?” he asked, dropping back into his native Frorian.
A smile flitted across her face, and she nodded. “Though it’s funny—while I am glad to see Vanya again, I wouldn’t call this home. No, Frorheim is home, where you are is home ... this, this is revisiting my childhood, and I am grateful for the opportunity, but I will not desire to stay for long.” She closed her eyes. “It is good to feel the warmth of the sun again, though.”
“It is pleasant.” He sighed and drew her against himself. She leaned into his shoulder, savoring their magical link.
Kay no longer had a direct connection to the Starspire. When Olyn and his wife finally produced a male heir—after two daughters—three starcycles before, Kay had been eager to give up the ring and the title of Star Prince. The benefit of more power was not worth being tethered to one place for him. Even during his time as Star Prince he had accepted missions traveling with the wardens—though never staying away long. Arynne didn’t mind his absences. She even hoped to accompany him when their children were grown enough to fend for themselves for longer periods. She had fallen in love with a restless adventurer, and she wouldn’t change that for the world.
Still, journeying with him rather than waiting at home was by far her preference.
“I would like to see more of the world at some point,” she murmured. “Perhaps take you to the great sea or explore the grasslands of the hillfolk close to the Gloaming.”
“I wouldn’t mind that at all.” He kissed her forehead. “It could be dangerous.”
She laughed. “I think I can handle it.” She opened her eyes. “As long as I’m with you, I can handle anything.”
His lips brushed against her, and love sang through the heartbond. Her heart sang with it. Wherever she went, as long as she had Kay, she would be at home.
The End
ABOUT H. L. Burke
Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic.
An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.
Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.
For information about H. L. Burke’s latest novels, to sign up for the author’s monthly newsletter, or to contact the writer, go to
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Also by H. L. Burke
For Middle Grade Readers
Thaddeus Whiskers and the Dragon
Cora and the Nurse Dragon
For Young Adult Readers
An Ordinary Knight
Beggar Magic
Coiled
Spice Bringer
The Heart of the Curiosity
The Nyssa Glass Steampunk Series:
Nyssa Glass and the Caper Crisis
Nyssa Glass and the House of Mirrors
Ny
ssa Glass and the Juliet Dilemma
Nyssa Glass and the Cutpurse Kid
Nyssa Glass’s Clockwork Christmas
Nyssa Glass and the Electric Heart
The Elemental Realms Series
Book One: Lands of Ash
Book Two: Call of the Waters
The Dragon and the Scholar Saga (1-4)
A Fantasy Romance Series
Dragon’s Curse
Dragon’s Debt
Dragon’s Rival
Dragon’s Bride
The Green Princess: A Fantasy Romance Trilogy
Book One: Flower
Book Two: Fallow
Book Three: Flourish
Ice and Fate Duology
Daughter of Sun, Bride of Ice
Prince of Stars, Son of Fate
To Court a Queen
Spellsmith and Carver Series
Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians’ Rivalry
Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians’ Trial
Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians’ Reckoning
Fellowship of Fantasy Anthologies
Fantastic Creatures
Hall of Heroes
Mythical Doorways
Tales of Ever After
Paws, Claws, and Magic Tales
Match Cats: Three Tails of Love