Page 64 of Rise of a Fallen Man

“Not as much. He was in a very good mood tonight, actually.” I smiled. “He even made me promise I’d take him to the games this weekend.”

“The games?” Mother gasped. “Do you really think he’ll feel well enough to leave the palace so soon?”

“If he’s comfortable enough, I think a change of scenery will do him good. That’s what Rotcod said too.”

“It’s so good to hear, Ari. There have been moments in this past week when I didn’t think your father would ever leave the palace alive again...” Her lips trembled, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

Goddess knew I’d had many moments like that myself. Even as Father was recovering now, the fear for him hadn’t released my heart yet.

“He’s better, Mother.” I gave her a firm hug, determined to stay strong for her sake.

“Well...” She sniffled, releasing me from the hug and quickly sweeping with her hand her cheeks under her eyes. “I have some good news too. Madam Trela reported she finished her investigation into the recent horrific murders. The case is now with the judge. The ruling will be quick. I requested a public execution of the murderer. People have to see with their own eyes that the threat to our peace and safety is finally eliminated.”

“Is Madam Trela certain then that they got the right man?”

“All evidence is there, Ari. The owner of the fun house confirmed his identity. He was apprehended while trying to commit another murder. How can there be any doubts?”

“You’re right.” I nodded.

From the day the guards apprehended the suspect over a week ago, there hadn’t been any more attacks. Peace had returned to Egami.

“I shall let Rotcod go to bed.” Mother made a move toward the warlock, but I stopped her.

“Let him sleep. He’s been up a lot every night since he got to the palace. You can send him to bed if he wakes up on his own. Otherwise, I wouldn’t disturb him.”

She nodded, going to Father instead. “You haven’t slept much either, Ari. Go to bed. I’ll stay here with him.”

I was tired. With Mother spending most of her time at Father’s side, I had taken almost entirely over all her duties of running the queendom. I also tried to be with Father every spare second I got.

“You spent the last night here,” Mother insisted. “But you didn’t sleep at all. You were up and awake every time I opened my eyes.”

“I don’t sleep that much, anyway.”

“Well, I think you should try to get some sleep tonight.”

“But how about you?”

“I’m good.” She smiled, sliding under the covers on the opposite side of Father. The bed was wide enough for her not to disturb him. “I sleep the best when he’s near,” she said and added almost apologetically, “I miss him.”

Leaving the queen with Father, I went across the hall and past the grand marble staircase to my bedroom. Exhaustion weighed heavily on me, promising at least a few hours of sleep if I was lucky.

The guards at the doors to my suite bowed to me in greeting.

“His Highness Prince Leafar is waiting for you, Your Highness,” one of them said.

“Leafar?” I paused in my tracks.

For a moment of weakness, I cowardly considered going to my study or spending the night in the library instead. But he was my husband. I’d asked him to marry me. I couldn’t run from him now, no matter how tired I was.

Coming to my senses, I thanked the guards, crossed my sitting room, and pushed the door to my bedroom open.

The soft glow of the lit candles in the room momentarily conjured the vision of Salas making us tea while waiting for my return. The sudden memory came with a tug at my heart, both sweet and agonizingly painful.

“Your Highness?” Leafar rose from the couch, rubbing his eyes.

Without a suit jacket, a waistcoat, or even a cravat, he had the first few buttons of his shirt open, which I had never seen him do before. Such carelessness in appearance was not typical for the prince.

“Evening, Leafar.” I spotted a silver tray with a liquor bottle and two glasses on it. “Have you been...um, sleeping here?”

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