by M C Dwyer
Edmun was still talking, more than he’d ever said in Luce’s memory of him. She leaned forward, unwilling to miss a word.
“So, that's what I felt. As for you, I had no idea. You didn't actively seek me out, but—for a while, at least—you didn't run and hide. What changed? I'd hoped—well, that day you told me you were sorry for breaking up my betrothal was one of the happiest I can remember, but you were so apologetic that I was sure you felt nothing for me.” He laughed, a painful, rueful sound. “And then your brother. Oh, Shadow, if I could have protected you from your brother, I would have. But there are some things we have to face on our own if we ever want to overcome them. I'm glad he's dead. I'm sorry for you, that you were the one who had to do it, but I'm glad he's dead because if he wasn't, I'd have to kill him, and I'm too angry to be just or merciful.”
He pressed Luce’s hand to his forehead, and across the fire, Luce watched him with something approaching dismay. He was touching her, but she couldn’t feel it. She made an aborted motion forward but hesitated again.
Edmun gathered up Luce’s body and held it in his lap. “Come back, Shadow,” he said, pressing her forehead to his. “Come back. There's so much I want to say to you, and so much I want to hear. Your hand is cold and I think your heart has only beat twice in the last half hour, and Jahan says your body can't survive much longer without you. Do you hear me, Shadow? I forbid you to die. That's an order from your king, and if you break it I'll never forgive you.” And then he kissed her.
Luce the spirit gave a sobbing sort of laugh and dove across the fire. She slid into her body and felt the aching heaviness of humanity settle over her, along with all its accompanying emotions. The body magnified every one of them: guilt, pain, grief, joy, and love. She kissed Edmun back as well as she was able in a body that was weak from disuse.
“Shadow?” he said, pulling back to look her in the eyes.
Luce was laughing and crying, tears streaming down her face and blurring his image.
“Don’t cry, Shadow,” he said, gently wiping them away.
“I can’t help it,” she said, weeping. “I am the Butcher of Brae.”
“I know,” Edmun said. “Someday you can explain how that happened, but it’s alright, Shadow. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I killed my brother,” she added, and Edmun drew her close again.
“Someday you can explain that, too, if you want. But it’s all right; it’s all right.”
“Also,” she said, and he gave a disbelieving snort.
“What more could there possibly be? Are you to blame for all the ills of the world?”
“Also,” Luce said in a small voice, “I didn’t want you to marry Princess Ingrid.”
Edmun gave a shout of laughter. “Oh, Shadow, I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said, reaching up a shaky hand. “Oh,” she said, seeing the pouch. “This is for you.”
“What is it?” He took the pouch and, somewhat awkwardly as Luce was still on his lap, shook the pieces of the amber ring into his palm.
“Mae said it was supposed to be an exchange. The earrings, I mean.” She fell silent and felt herself turn red from head to toe.
“It appears that I owe Mae a great deal of thanks,” Edmun said gravely.
“We heard voices,” Mae said, poking her head in the door. “Oh, good. You’re awake. I’ll tell the others.” She made a shooing motion with her hand. “Carry on.”
“Yes,” Edmun said, “a great many thanks.”
Luce bit her lip and wondered if it were possible to die of embarrassment.
“As for you, Shadow,” Edmun began.
“Luce,” she said. “Princess Luce.” She finished in a whisper, “But I really like ‘Shadow.’”
“Tad,” he returned. “If we’re choosing pet names.”
Luce ducked her head, unable to look him in the eye.
“I’d set you down, Shadow, but I think you’d fall over. Mae is likely going to bring you some food, so in the meantime, there’s something I really must take care of.” He tilted her chin up, bringing her gaze up to his, then leaned in and kissed her again. “Marry me, my love?”
“Yes,” she answered.
Epilogue
They were married in the spring. It was a grand occasion, attended by royalty from near and far, including a somewhat incredulous Princess Ingrid. It was also graced by the presence of the Farlan, something most countries were unable to boast of, though many felt their presence was balanced by the attendance of mere stablehands. Luce, however, didn’t care.
Afterwards, the feasting lasted for a week, and then Edmun and Luce got on with their lives and the business of running a country.
Though Aidan struggled for some time to overcome his feelings of guilt for his part in events, he was eventually able to repair his relationship with Luce. After finishing his years of service, he married Ena and retired to a plot of land in the country.
Barth and Mae were also married, though they stayed in the palace to be near Luce and Edmun.
Pyrdred’s sins, unknown to most of the world, vanished with him, and while Breccia was eventually annexed by Talus, it was always just a little bit strange. The Forest of Night eventually spread over Brae, erasing it from sight if not memory, and people got on with the business of living happily—if not ever after, at least for as long as they were able.
Acknowledgements
This book has been made possible thanks to the help and support of family and friends who served as proofreaders, editors, and critics throughout the process. Especially T, who made it a better book, and W.R., who took time away from her own writing to give me her thoughts on mine. I appreciate it so much!
About the Author
M.C Dwyer grew up in a small town in Nebraska, has circumnavigated the globe at least once, and is currently teaching English in Asia. She has been a student, a librarian, a store clerk, a teacher, a student again, and an occasional world traveler. Some day she might figure out what she wants to be when she grows up, but she isn’t holding her breath. She enjoys binge-watching kdrama, learning new languages, and creating new fantasy worlds to escape into.
Connect with the author on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MCDwyer
Other works by the author:
Bleddynwood
“Taken for a Ride" (forthcoming)
"Pooka Problems” published in the Noblebright Anthology Shards
“Don’t Wake the Dragon” published in the Noblebright anthology Fell Beasts and Fair
“Of Grief and Griffins” published in the Noblebright anthology Still Waters