Rishiart bowed his head in acknowledgement, but he made no move to leave. “Thank you, Father. I expected to be going back directly. The extra forces will be welcome, I think.”
“Go on, then. I’ll see all of you later,” the emperor said.
Jathan grabbed Ailsa’s hand. “Just one more thing, Father.”
“Yes?”
“Ailsa and I request your approval and consent. We want to get married. To each other.”
The emperor smiled. “Well, now. And is this what you want, too, Ailsa?”
Ailsa squeezed Jathan’s hand and smiled. “Oh, yes.”
“Then you have my most hearty approval. I’m delighted. Welcome to the family.” His eyes took on a briefly speculative look. “Rishiart, where exactly are former-baron Mikel’s estates?”
“Off the Imperial Highway between here and Far Terra.”
The emperor smiled and steepled his fingers. “What a happy chance. I think . . . yes, I think that those lands and titles will be your wedding gift, Jathan. That will provide you with a secure base of operations in Far Terra and a convenient stop-over between the Far Terran capital and the Ring Mountains. Yes . . . and another place where you two can exercise your powers to provide a living example to the other barons of just what benefits they might receive by choosing to cooperate with us rather than King Ewart.” He chuckled. “Yes. I like the justice of that very much. Rishiart, on your way back to Far Terra, make a point to stop by these lands so you can write a full report of their condition and install some trustworthy manager until Jathan and Ailsa can take possession. I’ll trust your judgment on that.”
Ailsa clapped her hands and turned to Jathan. “Oh! Then you won’t have to cross the desert in a single day. And we can grow a garden that will help you recover more quickly. And stay longer than a day, if you need to.” She frowned slightly. “Only . . . there won’t be a coach road. That may make it harder for you.”
Jathan recaptured her hand. “Not a problem. We’ll take a coach as far as the nearest stage or courier station and then ride the rest of the way. It’ll still be easier than trying to ride all the way.”
“And I can have someone survey for an extension of the coach road while I’m in Far Terra.” Rishiart frowned. “According to what Princess Izbel had to say, you might have to get a water mage out there before you can grow much of a garden, though.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem. Not when they’ll be working for two fellow mages.” The emperor paused, stroking his chin. “In fact . . . Princess Izbel and her husband might be the perfect interim managers, if they’re willing.”
Ailsa had to keep herself from bouncing in her seat. “Oh. That would be perfect!”
The emperor’s smile grew wider. “I’m glad you like it.”
~
Ailsa and Jathan left the emperor’s office, still holding hands. She had a strong suspicion that Jathan was only waiting until they got around the next bend in the path, out of sight of his father’s office, before stopping for a kiss. Good idea. She stepped out a little faster to get to that bend.
They both stopped as soon as they’d turned the corner, but not to kiss. Sav stood on the path up ahead. From the way he paced across the narrow path, only stopping when he saw them, it was clear he was waiting for them. Ailsa could read the tension in every line of his body. She swallowed. They couldn’t, after all, hope to put this off indefinitely. Might as well deal with it now. “Jathan, let me break the news to him, all right?”
Jathan squeezed her hand before releasing it. “All right. I’ll be right here.”
Ailsa strode forward alone. “Sav, I’m glad to see you. There’s something I want to tell you before you hear it from someone else.”
“Ailsa . . . I need to talk to you,” Sav said at the same instant.
Ailsa drew in her breath. “Sav—”
He took a step closer. “Let me go first, please. I’ve been practicing how to say this and I need to just say it. Ailsa, when I asked you to marry me, I meant it—then. But now I know that I asked you for the wrong reasons. I do love you, Ailsa. Just . . . just not that way. And I need you to . . . to release me from my promise.”
Ailsa suppressed a smile. She really shouldn’t laugh with relief. It would be the wrong reaction here, even if it was what she really wanted to do. “I thought I already had, Sav. Of course you’re free.”
Sav let out his breath explosively. “Thank you. You see . . . while you’ve been gone, I’ve . . . I’ve found someone else. Princess Mayra.”
Ailsa sprang forward and hugged Sav. She kissed his cheek before releasing him. “Good for you.”
Sav grinned back, shoulders relaxing. “What was it you wanted to tell me?”
Ailsa waved Jathan forward and took his hand. “What I wanted to tell you was that Jathan and I are to be married.”
Sav held out his hand to shake Jathan’s, still smiling. “Congratulations.”
Jathan let go of Ailsa’s hand to shake Sav’s. “What’s this all about?”
Ailsa giggled. “It looks like there are going to be two imperial weddings.”
Sav flushed and scuffed one foot on the path. “I . . . I haven’t asked her yet. I wanted to—”
Ailsa gave him a push. “Well, then. What are you waiting for? Go.”
Sav grinned again and hurried off toward the palace.
Jathan watched him go. “Do you think Mayra will—?”
“I don’t think. I know. She’s been trying to get Sav’s attention for weeks now. With my blessing. Looks like she finally succeeded while we were gone.”
Jathan looked after Sav for a moment longer then he turned and recaptured Ailsa’s hand. “Well, if Mayra asks nicely, we might have a double wedding, but we’re definitely having separate honeymoons.”
~
Jathan kept hold of Ailsa’s hand as they continued down the path, unwilling to let her go just yet. “I’ll walk you home.” He chuckled and winked at her. “I wouldn’t miss telling your grandmother the news for anything. About us and about your new abilities.” His fingers traced the front hem of her jacket. “You’ll need new robes, now. Green trimmed with pale blue.”
His thoughts spun forward. Soon, very soon now, they’d be married and then . . . He looked sideways at Ailsa. “I’ll make you a deal.”
Ailsa squinted back at him. “About what?”
“Our honeymoon. If you’ll spend a week with me up at the lodge, I’ll spend a week with you at our new estates in Far Terra.” He laughed at her expression. “Come on. I can see that you’re dying to get out there and see what’s what. Deal?”
Ailsa shivered. “But it’ll be so cold.”
This was not something Jathan was worried about. He winked at her again and waggled his eyebrows. “Not inside, it won’t. Trust me.”
Ailsa laughed. “All right, deal. If you’re sure . . .”
“About what? The lodge? Or returning to Far Terra? Either way, the answer’s yes.” He leaned forward to kiss her. The brief kiss was not enough. He stepped closer and drew Ailsa into his arms. She tilted up her head and he kissed her, heedless of the bushes bursting into out-of-season winter bloom around them. A warm breeze wafted the scent around them.
THE END
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About the Author
Professionally, I've been a financial analyst and a visual basic programmer. I also have a paralegal certificate, although I've never worked in that field. It's anybody's guess what I'll be when I grow up.
Imagining stories and writing have always been an important part of my life. It's one I finally got to spend a significant amount of time on while I cared for my mother who had Alzheimer's disease.
Discover other my other titles on Amazon:
Short st
ories or novellas:
Heart of Oak
Becoming Lioness (A Dual Magics Story)--free!
The Music Box
Wyreth’s Flame
Novels:
Blood Will Tell
Blood Is Thicker
Chimeria Omnibus (Blood Will Tell and Blood Is Thicker)
Fire and Earth
The Bard’s Gift
The Shaman’s Curse (Dual Magics Book 1)
The Voice of Prophecy (Dual Magics Book 2)
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