Page 46 of Under the Lion Star

Pullam helped us pack the crates, stuffing them full of straw and then lifting them to the front porch where Aunt Stella would meet with the courier. We said our farewells to her and Marcy before heading out of the cottage and making our way toward Galvord.

The weather was sublime—humid but with a slight breeze that cooled my skin as we walked.

“Well, what do we have here?” Nima said, drawing my attention away from the scenery.

Leor strolled toward us, dressed down as he usually was when we crossed paths on the country roads. A small smile rose up one side of his face when our eyes met until Nima’s elbow in my ribs pulled my focus back to her. She pumped her eyebrows suggestively.

“Fuck off,” I muttered under my breath, earning a quiet laugh from Pullam.

“Hi,” Leor said as he approached, his hand rubbing across the back of his neck.

Why is he nervous?

“Your grace,” Nima bowed dramatically as Leor groaned.

“Go be annoying somewhere else,” I scowled at my sister.

“I’ll make sure she gets home in one piece,” Pullam offered, lacing his fingers with Nima’s. “You can look after Alda?”

“Of course,” Leor nodded.

“The Gods are watching, Alda,” Nima sing-songed. “Don’t do anything untoward.”

I looked up at the sky, asking said Gods to grant me the strength not to throw a rock at my sister. Her giggling faded as Pullam led her away.

“Sorry about that,” I glanced at Leor. “She takes her job of being an annoying younger sister very seriously.”

“I’m surprised she recognized me from the castle,” Leor gestured over his clothing.

That pulled a laugh from me before I could stop it. “You realize that you hardly look any different, right?” I raised a brow. “No crown and less shiny, but otherwise, it’s obviously you.”

“Less shiny,” he parroted with disbelief.

“Shut up,” I waved a hand at him. “So? Did you find a wife?”

“Maybe?” He winced. “I wanted to get your input.”

“Well, here I am,” I held my arms out.

“Can we talk by the lake? Or are you busy?”

“I think I can find a little space in my hectic schedule. You are the King of Fjorn, after all,” I smirked.

Leor shot me an annoyed glare, trying desperately to hide his grin but failing all the same.

“I love it out here,” I sat in a patch of shade, the grass dappled with the few bits of sunlight that slipped between the leaves above.

“Yeah,” Leor smiled, looking over at me as he sat down.

We both took a moment to enjoy the scene in solitude. While I often struggled to relax, my mind created endless lists of tasks I should do for my family. With Leor, I was able to shut the thoughts down for a few moments. Or I would have been if it weren’t for his continued fidgeting.

“Out with it,” I sighed, angling my head to look at him.

“I’d like you to be my wife,” he rushed the words out and followed them with a sharp exhale.

His eyes met mine, and I could tell he had a barrage of counterpoints already notched like arrows, ready to unleash upon me should I protest.

Hadn’t I been looking for an opportunity to take a risk? To try something new and see it through to the end? This seemed like a far more considerable risk than my mother had been speaking of, likely referring to getting bangs or applying for a job, but if I was going to get my feet wet with something new, why not submerge myself entirely?

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