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“Run away with me,” the mage had said, her eyes alight. “You like tea. I like books. Let’s open a shop somewhere remote and forget the world exists.”
“Okay. I’ll run away with you. Let’s find a shop and make a home and forget about everything else.”
Open a shop somewhere, fill it with books and tea and a fireplace and cozy armchairs, and Reyna could finally, finally learn who she was without the queen looming over her.
You find worth in me, not my title or magic.” Kianthe’s voice cracked, and now she was the one averting her eyes. “No one else sees past that. Ever.”
“You always have a choice,” Reyna had told her over and over. “Even if it seems impossible to notice in the moment.”
It was all Kianthe could say without losing her neutral expression—because inside, she was exhausted by this concept. A person could work and work and work, and still never “earn” their dues. Sometimes success meant determination … and sometimes, it was just luck.
If I pay for the barn, the tea, the books … maybe that will be enough to feel worthy of dating the Arcandor, the Mage of Ages, the most incredible woman alive. Who loves me, even though sometimes I’m not exactly sure why.”
“Reyna, I love you more than Visk, the moon, the stars, and all the flowers in Shepara. But if you try and attack a dragon with that toothpick of a blade, I will tie you to a chair and leave you to contemplate your actions.”
Reyna would have denounced her deities if she thought it would save Kianthe.
The mage seemed a bit unnerved now, and his eyes dropped to the sword at her hip. There wasn’t enough room to swing it between them, but Reyna probably wouldn’t use a sword anyway. She probably had nine daggers hidden in her formfitting clothes.
What kind of tea do you want, Wylan?” “Ah, steeper’s choice.”
“Is that passion Lord Wylan?” Diarn Feo flushed. “Don’t push it.”
UGHHH LOVE THEM
And so, despite the cold fear gripping her soul, despite her heart longing to curl up beside Kianthe and read near the fireplace, Reyna directed Lilac into the trees.
Now, her eyes traced the space where Reyna had stood—replaced by some no-name guard standing at perfect attention. Did that person yearn for a teashop at the edge of the world, too? Or was Reyna just that special?
“Oh Gods,” Reyna said, but she was smiling wide. “That too. Will you marry me?”
Reyna wasn’t sure what she was expecting of the Arcandor, the Mage of Ages, the most powerful magic user in existence, but a stunning young woman with a fiery temper and a dry sense of humor wasn’t it.
have you know, Reyna like rain, that you’re pretty special. And I’ve been alone long enough to seize special when I find it.” A pause, a wry smile. “If you like me after tonight, you may never get rid of me.”
