Soon, they reached the border of Elarion, crossing into Herbendnez.
Night had already closed in, swallowing the road in shadow, while the torches held by the soldiers cut through the darkness.
“My princess, we have arrived at the border,” Rosa nudged Elira, and she immediately moved toward the window and pushed the curtains aside.
The scenery before her made her swallow hard.
She’d imagined the border a hundred times, banners, guards, noise.
But instead, there was only silence.
Empty fields.
Abandoned houses.
“Why is it so deserted?” she asked, looking at Rosa.
“I can’t say, my princess.
But every war starts at the border.
People learned to leave before the blood came,” Rosa replied quietly.
Elira didn’t answer.
She kept looking outside.
Her heart ached for the people who had once lived here.
People who had became prey to war simply because of where they were born.
“My princess, you need to rest now,” Lillia said in a low voice, glancing around as if afraid someone would hear.
“You’ve put your body through too much today.
It will put the baby at risk if you keep pushing yourself.” Elira lowered her eyes to her stomach and wrapped a hand around it.
“He’s already endured so much and didn’t leave,” she whispered.
“He won’t leave me now, not when I need him most.” Then she looked up, not at the scenery, but at King Zareth.
He rode on his stallion not far from the carriage, back straight, eyes forward.
“How long before we reach Herbendnez?” Elira asked.
“Not long,” Lillia replied.
“Once we cross into Herbendnez, we’ll begin climbing the mountains.” “I’m sorry you have to return to this land,” Elira said softly.
“The place that brought you pain.” She paused.
“But don’t let the pain define you.
Herbendnez was once my home too.
I loved it before Elarion claimed me back.
And though it hurt you… you’re stronger than that memory.” Lillia nodded, eyes wet.
“You don’t have to blame yourself, my princess.
I chose to follow you.
Even if you decide to dwell in Herbendnez, I will be there with you.” Elira smiled.
“Now get some rest, my princess,” Rosa said.
“The king made the carriage more comfortable for you.” Elira laid down.
The swaying lanterns above cast warm light across the cushions.
For the first time that day, her body finally relaxed.
**** **** After what felt like forever, or a little forever.
King Zareth and his soldiers reached the mountains of Herbendnez.
They would rest here for the night.
Zareth never took his attention off the carriage.
Even in the dark, his eyes caught the flicker of her silhouette peeking from the window.
He’d noticed her looking.
He didn’t turn.
Instead he sat taller, a smug thought curling through his mind.
“The men I sent ahead have secured a safe place and set up the pavilion,” General Alaric said, appearing beside him again.
He made Zareth sigh.
The man had been a thorn in his side all day.
“How long till we get there?” Zareth asked.
“Not long.
We’ll be there in no time,” Alaric replied.
Then he grinned.
“The princess seems to have fallen asleep.
I bet she’s regretting this journey with you.” Zareth shot him a glare.
“It seems Princess Elira has become your favorite topic.” “I dare not, my dearest king,” Alaric said, feigning innocence.
“I’m just merely curious.” But Zareth knew that annoying smile was on his face.
For a second he considered kicking him off his horse.
“Well,” Zareth said slowly, “my bride isn’t asleep.
She’s been busy stealing glances at this handsome king.
I’m sure a lot is going through that little head of hers.” Alaric scoffed.
“A lot…
is going through her head, yes.
But don’t you think you’re praising yourself too much?
I’m handsome too.
Women worship the ground I walk on.
I even…” “That’s wonderful,” Zareth cut in.
“Because you should start preparing to take a bride soon.” Alaric choked.
“Not happening.
I’m not done serving the king yet.” “Don’t worry,” Zareth said, smirking.
“I’ll replace you soon enough.” “You wouldn’t dare!” Alaric pointed at him.
Zareth merely glanced at him and let the smirk deepen.
That was the only way to shut the human bee up.
“I’m offended,” Alaric muttered.
“I know,” Zareth chuckled.
“That’s the point.” Just then, the carriage window opened again.
Princess Elira poked her head out.
She swept her gaze over the camp, then slowly looked toward Zareth.
Her eyes lingered.
Then she ducked back inside and closed the curtain.
“Someone can’t take her eyes off me,” Zareth grinned and Alaric groaned.
This man was shameless.
Soon, they arrived at the mountains of Herbendnez, where they would rest for the night.
“My king,” a soldier bowed.
“We’ve set up camp and prepared a pavilion for my lady.” “I bet my lady will sleep well without someone disturbing her,” Alaric said.
Zareth turned to him.
A cunning smile curved his lips.
“Princess Elira will spend the night in my pavilion.” Then he turned and walked toward the carriage.
He opened the door.
Three pairs of eyes stared back at him.
Elira was so lost in his gaze that she forgot to bow.
Her eyes dragged over his face and stopped on his lips.
She swallowed.
His eyes had been the first thing to captivate her.
But his lips… she remembered them.
How they had tasted.
How she wanted to taste them again.
“I didn’t know a lady could stare that much,” Zareth said, voice low enough to snap her out of it.
Elira blushed.
She immediately looked away.
King Zareth smiled.
“The night is heavy and you need to rest properly.
I have prepared a pavilion for you,” he said and stretched out his hand.
“Come with me.” Elira hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his.
Slowly, he guided her down from the carriage.
The moment her feet touched the ground, the cold air hit her.
She shivered and immediately wrapped her arms around herself.
Zareth looked at her.
Without a word, he unclasped his cloak and draped it around her shoulders.
His fingers brushed against her neck, and Elira stiffened.
“Thank you, Adr… My king!” she said quickly.
Zareth stopped.
A moment of silence.
Elira’s heartbeat quickened.
She thought he would say something, but he didn’t.
Without looking at her, he continued walking.
Elira didn’t move.
She stood there watching him.
Was he angry?
Had she offended him?
Her eyes stung with tears that threatened to fall.
This is becoming too much burden on her.
He can’t keep treating her like they just met, when he was the same man that has spoken love to her each time they met.
As though sensing her, King Zareth stopped,he turned around and walked back toward her.
He stopped right before her and sighed.
Before Elira could react at the sudden turn of events, Zareth bent down and swept her up in his arms — bridal style.
Her eyes widened.
“What are you doing?” Elira was startled and she struggled to get down.
But Zareth held her tighter.
“I believe your feet ache from sitting too long in the carriage.
Allow me to take care of you, my lady.” Elira “….” “I’m guessing permission granted,” Zareth murmured, and began walking toward the pavilion.
Elira buried her face against his chest, too afraid to meet the eyes of the soldiers grinning behind them.
She knew Adrian had always been shameless, but right now, he was being over shameless.
The guard at the pavilion pushed aside the curtains as Zareth approached with his bride in his arms.
He laid Elira on the bed and covered her with the blankets.
“Don’t sleep.
I will be back,” he ordered and she nodded.
Casting one last glance at her, he left.
“That was beautiful!” Alaric appeared beside him.
“If I were a musician, I’d have composed a song for you.” “I didn’t know General Alaric was so thoughtful,” Zareth said without looking at him.
“Of course I am.
You just never bothered to notice!” “The soldiers need more of your thoughtfulness,” Zareth said, turning to him.
“I just need a little bit of it.” “You are so mean!” “Save your caring for them, General.
I need to feed my wife.
I know you can’t relate.” He winked while grinning so hard.
With that, he left Alaric standing there defeated.
Not long after, King Zareth returned to the pavilion carrying a wooden plate.
He placed it before Elira and smiled.
“You’re so obedient,” he said.
Elira glared at him.
Obedient?
He gave an order and she followed.
It wasn’t like she was sleepy anyway.
“I brought you meat,” he said, pushing the plate toward her.
Slowly, Elira looked at the plate, then at him.
Back at the palace, she was rarely served meat.
It had become a rare treasure.
She remembered telling Adrian once, how much she loved meat, and after that, he made sure she always had it.
Why was he pretending not to know her?
Was he angry?
He couldn’t treat her like Adrian did and still act like nothing happened.
“I’m not hungry, my king,” she said, pushing the plate aside.
Her heart turned bitter at the thought.
“It was a long journey from Elarion to Herbendnez, Elira.
I won’t let my bride starve under my watch.
Now eat,” he said but Elira didn’t move.
Zareth was annoyed at her stubbornness.
He knew the reason to her anger.
But she wouldn’t understand now if he told her.
Besides, she was just a pawn in the game he played.
He picked up the plate and stepped closer.
Elira sneaked up a glance at him.
What was he doing?
He stopped just inches from her and stared down.
“My king, what are you doing?” she was perplexed.
“You eat obediently… or I feed you.
Mouth to mouth.” He stressed each word.
Heat rushed to Elira’s face.
She looked up at him and immediately took the plate.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Zareth smirked.
She really was interesting.
He sat and watched her eat, savoring each bite.
He fought to keep his expression neutral as she moaned softly at the taste.
Elira was a living temptation.
Her cheeks puffed.
Her lips moved with each chew.
Too many thoughts ran through his head.
He wanted to reach across the table and wipe the sauce from the corner of his mouth.
But he forced them down.
Not now!
He has caused her so much trouble.
He told himself.
Elira ate slowly.
Truly unaware of the self war happening to the man across from her.
She subconsciously looked up and their eyes met.
Elira “…” Zareth “…” Zareth immediately looked away and coughed.
To ease the tension, he quickly offered her water and stood up.
“I have some things to handle.
I’ll be right back.” With that, he left.
When Elira was done.
She set the plate down and looked around the room.
Zareth wasn’t back, and she wasn’t sleepy.
She stood up, picked up the cloak hanging on the chair where he’d sat earlier.
She held it for a moment, then gave in to instinct and inhaled it deeply.
She missed Adrian.
He’d switched back to king mode, but pieces of Adrian were still there.
Adrian loves to carry her.
He loves to feed her.
She sighed.
She draped the cloak around herself and stepped out of the pavilion.
Her eyes widened in amazement at the sight before her.
Soldiers sat around a bonfire, laughing and telling stories.
Some sparred with swords, others wrestled.
A group danced in a circle like children.
Others patrolled the perimeter.
Rosa had always told her Elarion’s journeys were strict.
But here, the Nebuzza soldiers were free.
Loud and Alive.
Elira was lost in the scene when tiny bright lights caught her attention.
Fireflies.
They circled around her, glowing in the dark mountain air.
And her doe eyes widened in excitement.