by Serena Chase
“It’s not that she’s not lovely. She is. I would just prefer to keep my distance. For now.”
For now. Hmm. “Then will you tell me why you have been so concerned with the color of her eyes?”
“I’m sorry, but . . . no.”
“Why not?”
“Because I prefer to keep your friendship awhile longer.”
“You will not lose it, cousin.” His words troubled me, for they seemed to bode ill for my sister-in-law’s future.
“Ah, perhaps not.” His smile held a trace of sadness. “Would that you exert that influence over your husband when the time comes,” he said. “For I’ve heard,” he glanced at my crown and gave me a sly grin, “that men from the Great Wood can become rather bearish when riled.”
The Herald of the Dance tapped Cazien’s shoulder then and he bowed, putting my hand into that of another foreign dignitary.
Captain Cryptic, indeed.
After what seemed to be years, my father stood to begin the final toasts of the evening.
“It cannot escape our attention,” he said, “that this wedding would not have been possible but for the willing sacrifices of the friends who accompanied the prince and princess to Mount Shireya. Tonight, I lift my glass to honor them and I ask that they step forward as I call them.”
One at a time, Edru and Dyfnel came toward the raised dais and accepted the honors and orders due their brave service, followed by Gerrias and Kinley.
After a moment of silence commemorating the loss of Sir Risson, the King glanced over at me, his gaze yet unsure.
It is the right thing to do, I assured him.
A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth as he turned back to face the crowd. “And finally,” he said, “Lady Erielle de Gladiel.”
Erielle stepped up to the dais.
“Lady Erielle, you have proven your bravery, intelligence, and loyalty to be equal to that of any knight in my service. Therefore, it is the honor of knighthood you shall receive.”
A gasp filtered through the Grand Hall. Erielle’s eyes widened and her gaze flew to mine. I gave her a quick wink.
Kneel, I said to her mind. Immediately, she dropped to one knee, though it was decidedly awkward in her full-skirted gown. Erielle bowed her head as the King’s sword touched each shoulder.
“We have no title for a female knight in E’veria,” he said, “so I have chosen to borrow one used in the Island Realm of Nirista.”
A flash of indefinable emotion touched my thoughts with the scent of the sea. My eyes roved the Grand Hall, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pirate.
Cazien stood near a side door with his arms crossed, his feet planted shoulder-width apart, and a decidedly dark scowl upon his face.
You do not approve? I asked.
No. He met my eyes. I do not.
Just because she’s a lovely young woman does not mean she cannot serve as a knight. I lifted my chin. Your own mother was captain of the Seahorse fleet!
Indeed. But E’veria’s knights have certain . . . sensibilities . . . that are thankfully lacking among Seahorse pirates.
Our knights are honorable! And Erielle is well worthy of the honor given her by being added to their number.
That I do not doubt, he replied.
I had to work very hard to keep my face impassive. Then why do you disapprove?
I appreciate the sentiment behind this honor you bestow, Rynnaia, but have you considered how such a commission could become a stone around her neck? By knighting this girl, you have cast a jeweled dagger into a sea of swords.
The sigh in his heart was so profound that I could almost feel the breath of it upon my face, though he was at the opposite corner of the hall.
Never fear, even with this . . . complication . . . I will do my duty and rescue her from being swallowed by the deep, as it were. But now, I leave you.
Cazien, wait! I called, but he was gone.
“On behalf of my daughter, the Ryn,” my father’s voice brought my attention back to the moment at hand, “I knight you Dirme Erielle de Gladiel, First Knight in the Honorable Order of Anya.”
Erielle’s head flew up.
My father smiled. “Dirme Erielle’s ancestor should have received that honor long ago. By creating the Honorable Order of Anya, we recognize the brave contribution both the Oracle and the Oracle’s daughter have made to our Kingdom.”
My father took a slight step back. “Honored Defenders of E’veria,” he said, “with the knowledge that you will forever have the ear of your grateful King, arise!”
A cheer filled the hall, and as people rushed forward to congratulate our friends, Julien took my hand and we slipped away.
In silence we walked through halls deserted but for guards and the occasional serving maid, continuing upward to the chambers we would share in our very own wing of the castle.
Although I had desperately longed to be alone with Julien for weeks, by the time we reached the guarded door of our shared chambers my face was so hot that had someone thrown water on me, it might have steamed.
Eyes to the floor, I refused to meet the guard’s gaze as he opened the doors for us to enter. Once we were within, the guard closed the door behind us. Julien left my side for just a moment to lock it.
I pressed my suddenly icy hands to my cheeks in the hope of cooling them, but when Julien stepped behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist the familiar gesture put me at ease.
“I thought the ball would never end,” he sighed. “Everyone got to hold you but me. It was torture.”
I laughed, having felt the same frustration for the last several hours. Turning within his arms, I looked up into the deep green of my prince’s eyes and my sudden shyness dissolved. I reached my hands around his neck. “I’m all yours now, Julien.”
And I kissed him to prove it.
A shiver of heat surprised me as his lips moved to the space just in front of my ear. When he spoke, the feeling of his warm breath at my ear nearly took mine away.
“As I am yours.”
Julien scooped me into his arms and his kiss took possession of what had been his forever. Our colors melded and a new thread, one of pure, white light, joined the dance as love and desire entwined to complete the perfect union of our souls.
I awoke to the tender gaze of emerald eyes, easing me from slumber. Beside me, Julien was propped upon one elbow, wearing a smile that said he was completely content to simply watch me sleep.
I caressed his cheek. “Good morning, Bear-prince.”
His smile widened. “Good morning, my very own princess.”
We stayed like that for a long moment, allowing the joy of love, and the sweetness, the rightness, of our bond to wash over and through us.
“I am amazed to love you more than I did even a moment ago,” Julien whispered. “Thank you, Rynnaia. Thank you for becoming my bride. Every moment in my life has led to the wonder of our bond. I am so very grateful. And overcome and . . . humbled by it all.”
I thought of the scar on his arm, the scar he earned from the dagger I had thrown with intent to kill. “Every moment?” I teased.
He chuckled. “I am grateful, even for that,” he said and pressed a kiss upon my forehead. “It was The First who made you slip on the ice that night, you know,” he said. “He’s been with us all along.”
“Indeed.” I nodded. “But it took me a long enough time to notice.”
Julien shook his head and reached to brush a curl from my cheek. “No, it took exactly the right amount of time. His time.”
It was true. Had I not suffered the burden of deception, I might not have recognized truth when it called. Had I not felt pain, I would not have appreciated comfort. The thorns of my past had served their purpose. Now each painful fragment of my life had bloomed into an unfading flower of hope.
I am Rynnaia E’veri, I thought as I reached up to caress Julien’s face. I am known and I am loved.
“Yes,” Julien whispered, “you are.”
Though I would not have entertained the notion a few months ago, I had no doubt that all of Rynloeft smiled over us now. Still, we both gasped as suddenly, from that sacred space deep within our union, the tender voice of The First spoke our names.
Still, Rynnaia. Still, Julien. I will be with you.
Embral e’ Veria whispered truth into our souls and sealed our bond with his own.
You are Mine.
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
And so, we reach the end of Rynnaia and Julien’s journey. But is it the end? Not exactly. For, although the Eyes of E’veria tales-to-come do not feature the Prince and Princess in starring roles, Julien and Rynnaia will make an appearance from time to time, offering help—and possibly hinderance—to the next friends who step out of this tale to bring us into their own.
I am deeply honored that you would read this book—especially if you made the investment of time to read its predecessor, The Ryn, as well. My prayer is that through this fairy tale you will come to more clearly see the beautiful adventure life can be when you entrust your heart and hope to the One Who Woos.
This book would not be what it is without the valued input of my editorial team. For developmental advice, for coaching me through the first (official) rewrite, and for her never-failing encouragement and friendship, Sandra Byrd, I bow to you. An additional curtsey (curtsy?) goes to Jenny Quinlan of Historical Editorial for her amazing developmental advice once that first (45th?) rewrite was completed. She challenged me to go deeper with both Rynnaia and Julien—and they are better, “rounder” characters for her having pointed out their defects. Thank you, Jenny, as well, for the careful attention you gave the line-by-line copyedit, knowing full well I would likely rewrite a scene or two after and screw up something that you had already fixed. *bites lip and hopes for the best* I am so blessed. Also, a giant hug goes out to my “final” proofreading team: Tamara Leigh, Mom, Heather, Delaney . . . (did I forget anyone?) . . . what would I do without your eyes? And to Lori Twichell for your enthusiasm and advice: THANK YOU so very much.
To Joy Tamsin David, my blogging partner and the dear one who stepped in and handled the myriad details of the Eyes of E’veria blog tour when I was burning the midnight oil and—let’s face it—freaking out a lot, YOU ARE AMAZING! Many thanks also to the blogging community members who have so enthusiastically embraced Julien—I mean, The Ryn—and now The Remedy: people like Rel, Amber, Lydia, Juju, Lori, Embassie, Christy, Tina, Jenny . . . and to Joyce Lamb, curator of USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog: I could go on and on, suffice it to say: Ladies, I love you. Thanks.
Beyond all of these, however, I must thank my husband, Dave, and our daughters, Delaney and Ellerie, who continue to love me even when I spend exceedingly long hours in another realm.
Reader, I do hope you will come back to E’veria again with me in 2014 when Eyes of E’veria books 3 & 4 appear. As you may have guessed by hints layered throughout this tale, there is a certain pirate—and a certain newly knighted young woman—whose stories will soon intersect. I very much look forward to sharing this adventure upon the sands and seas, as well as quite a bit more snarky humor, and, of course, a fresh—and not-entirely-welcome—romance, with you. Until then, you can keep abreast of all Eyes of E’veria news, as well as that pertaining to my contemporary YA coming-of-age romance, Intermission, due to release in late 2013, by liking my official author page on Facebook or by visiting my website, serenachase.com. You can also follow me on Twitter: @Serena_Chase and view my ever-expanding inspiration board on Pinterest.
Finally, to the One who reached out to me through a book, wooed my heart, and promised beauty, adventure, and romance far beyond anything I could ever dream: I am yours.
Affectionately,
Serena
Other books by Serena Chase
The Ryn
Eyes of E’veria Book One
Destined by Prophecy. Guarded by Deception. Pursued by Love.
TOUCH HERE to purchase.