Page 31 of Lily of the Valley

Lily threw her arms around Scout's neck and kissed her back eagerly, body flooding with relief and hope, excitement and heat. Scout kissed sweetly, but commandingly, that same gentle, firm, implacable way she did everything else. A mountain impervious to the storm, a wolf in the woods that knew nothing else there could best them.

When they eventually drew apart, Lily wanted to scream or laugh or cry. "I didn't think—I wasn't sure—"

Scout smiled and rolled her eyes before stepping back, leaving Lily feeling cold and oddly bereft. "You, a young, beautiful queen, didn't think some old woodcutter could want you? I think you've taken too many knock to the head, my queen."

Lily narrowed her eyes. "Why do I like you again?"

"Search me, but I'm not going to give you the opportunity to change your mind."

"You're leaving me for who knows how many months," Lily retorted. "I could change my mind a hundred times."

Scout reeled her in close again, exactly as Lily had been hoping, arms warm and heavy around her waist. "You won't."

Lily rested her head against Scout's chest, wishing all the leather armor wasn't in the way. "Of course not. Who could ever compare to my woodcutter?"

"Plenty of people," Scout said dryly, and kissed the top of her head. "I'll return as quick as I can."

"Do what you need, don't rush it," Lily said. "I'll be busy setting all to rights here for who even knows how long, and still far too busy after that. Not sure being with a queen is all that worth the trouble really."

"Being queen is probably what keeps you from getting into even more trouble," Scout replied.

Lily pouted. "I don't cause that much trouble."

"You're so mired in trouble a couple of ghosts felt compelled to help you out," Scout said before bending to kiss her quickly but sweetly. "Stop pouting, it doesn't work on me."

"That's not true."

Scout heaved a sigh. "I have nothing further to say on the matter."

Oh, flirting with Scout was definitely her new favorite thing to do. "I'm guessing you can't wait until morning to leave?"

"The wolves are making people nervous, even though I've dealt with everyone who was a problem. I'm not pleased with those who remain, but I'm also aware they couldn't so easily say no and simply leave. So I'm taking them back to Rothenberg territory, and I'll sort out the remaining pack, start making reparations with those packs we wronged, and go from there. I'll write you as often as I can."

"You had better," Lily said, voice choking slightly for no good reason. "Don't—don't take too long."

"I won't," Scout said softly, and cupped her face in both hands before kissing her again, soft and lingering, leaving an ache that left Lily sighing. "Try to stay out of trouble while I'm gone. Please."

Lily giggled. "I'll do my best, and I'm sure Alice and Josiah will restrain me if I start getting out of hand."

"It'll have to do. I'm sorry I won't be here for the funeral."

Lily waved the words away. "Don't worry about that. I'll be mired in all the ceremonial stuff. You were there for me when it mattered, and without you I wouldn't be standing here right now. Thank you, Scout, for everything."

Scout bowed, so elegant and easy it was breathtaking.

"Thank you, my queen." Scout kissed her one last time, then with a frustrated noise let go and stepped back. "Be well, Your Majesty. I'll return as swiftly as I am able."

"Travel safely, Lady Rothenberg." Lily reached into the right pocket of her gown and withdrew the object she'd been keeping there for precisely this event. "Take this, use it as you need to ensure your comfort and well-being and that of your pack."

Scout stared at the ring, gleaming gold, large and heavy. "This is your father's royal ring. People are going to think I stole it."

"Not when I already had them put your name on the inside."

"You—" Scout balled her hand into a fist around the ring, then seemed to make an effort of uncurling her fingers one by one before examining the ring properly. "You little brat."

"I just wanted to know you'd be safe while you traveled, since I know your pack isn't thought well of."

"You thought I might leave forever and you were still going to give me this?" Scout demanded. "This is the kind of trouble I was talking about!"

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