Page 103 of A Shattered Kingdom of Steel

Closing my eyes for my inhale, I give a closed mouth smile and return her embrace. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Stop that,” she says, her tone stern but warm. She angles her head back to look me in the eyes. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

Asheros’s voice comes as caress in my mind. “I like your sister already.”

I can’t help but chuckle. It hadn’t occurred to me that this would be Asheros’s first real encounter with my family. Of course, he’d met my mother and sister before, by the very nature of serving on the High King’s council alongside them, but outside of the council chamber, he likely hadn’t spoken with them. Much less get to know them. Until now, he probably never had a desire to.

“What is it?” Vestella asks. She cocks her head slightly and arches a brow like she’s done since we were children.

“Nothing,” I assure her. “It’s—it’s good to see you, Ves. Truly.”

And it is. The last time I saw Vestella and my mother was during the time leading up to High King Vorr’s death. When High Keep had been on lockdown. As members of the High King’s council, they’d been subject to that command, like everyone else. But, since I was captain at the time, most of my energy had been spent securing the castle and supervising the front gates.

Brushing my hair back, Vestella smiles warmly at me. “I’m glad.”

“Is Father here?” I ask.

“He’s in the library,” she replies, tucking loose strands of my hair behind my ear. “You know how little he cares for these formal sorts of appearances. I’m sure he can’t wait to see you.”

“I can’t wait to see him,” I say. As always, I fail to see the need for a formal appearance when it’s just me returning home. Still, while I haven’t seen Mother and Vestella in what feels like ages, it’s been even longer since I’ve seen my father. Probably before I’d became captain.

I’ve truly been a terrible daughter. But my duty had always taken precedence.

Now that I’m bonded with Asheros, will that still be true?

My mouth tightens, discomfort settling into my chest.

Being with him… It’s changing my perspective on things, shifting where my loyalties lie.

Everything is different now.

And perhaps it’s time my priorities changed, too. Though it goes against everything I’ve trained to be, maybe my duty shouldn’t come before the people I love.

Not anymore.

Because nothing matters without them.

Smoothing out her skirts, Mother clears her throat. Vestella and I both turn to her, still loosely held in each other’s arms.

“Welcome home, Lymseia,” my mother says, dipping her head the way she would greet a dignitary from another Court. Doing the same to Asheros, she adds, “And welcome to our home, Lord Larmanne. I do not believe we have had the privilege of hosting you before.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Asheros replies, his years of navigating political functions bleeding through his demeanor. “This is my first time visiting your beautiful home.”

Making no move to step away from me, Vestella bows her head to Asheros. “Then we’re honored to receive you, my lord.”

Asheros returns her gesture. “The honor is mine, Lady Wynterliff.”

“To what do we owe the visit?” Mother asks, narrowing her eyes. “To speak plainly, you must be aware of how your situation looks, my lord, arriving at my doorstep with my daughter, who has been missing for months.”

Months?

Has it truly been that long?

“I can assure you, my lady,” Asheros says coolly, polite display wavering. “No harm will ever come to your daughter as long as I live.”

My mother stares him down as if she’s trying to pick his words apart to evaluate their truthfulness, but Asheros holds his ground, diamond irises sharpened like knives.

“Very well,” she says at last, turning to me. “I assume the others with you are part of Lord Larmanne’s company?”

---