Page 84 of Alien Prince's Fated Mate

I gathered her closer. “The whispers in Terr call you ‘The Pale Lady.’ In Zashi, they’ll call you queen someday.” My lips brushed her temple. “But to me, you’ve always been simply Niam. The one who faced down her nightmares to save others. The one who taught a beast to be gentle.”

NIAM

Dawn mist curled between Serra’s herb beds as I knelt one last time in the garden. My fingers brushed familiar leaves. Each plant held memories now: teaching the children, learning from Serra, finding my strength again among these quiet green things.

“The herbs will still grow, even if you’re not here to tend them.” Serra’s practical voice carried more gentleness than usual. She pressed a leather packet into my hands. “Dried medicines. For the journey.”

I clutched the package, breathing in the mingled scents. “Thank you. For everything.”

She squeezed my shoulder, then turned briskly toward the courtyard where the wagon waited. Her practical movements didn’t quite hide her emotions.

The wagon itself surprised me - larger than I’d expected, with a curved canvas cover and comfortable benches inside. Cushions softened the wooden seats, and supplies were neatly packed beneath. Small gifts from the families filled hidden corners - dried fruits from the Wickes, leather-bound books from the Randalls, tiny carved good-luck tokens from the children.

Mila stood beside the wagon, trying too hard to look calm. “The trade agreements are settled. And Ashur and I will visit within the month to finalize-”

I pulled her in closer, cutting off her attempt at business-like distance. She clung back just as tightly.

“I’ll miss you,” she whispered.

“Me too.” My throat tightened. “But we’re free now. We can visit whenever we want.”

She laughed wetly against my shoulder. “Look at us - crying like we’ll never see each other again instead of celebrating.”

“Why not both?”

Tharon’s hand settled warm on my back as the courtyard filled with familiar faces. The twins carried our last supplies while their mother directed traffic with her usual efficiency. Maya Wick’s grandchildren darted between adults’ legs, faces streaked with early-morning jam. The Randalls’ leather workers stood in a solemn line, each bearing some small token of luck or protection.

“Ready?” Tharon’s voice carried worry he tried to hide.

I touched the leather packet of herbs, looked around at the tannery’s weathered walls that had sheltered me. “Yes.”

He lifted me into the wagon with careful hands, though I needed the help less each day. Denna was already settled on one bench, her growing belly just starting to show beneath her traveling clothes. She shot me an encouraging smile.

As we pulled away, children ran alongside the wagon, throwing flower petals and calling goodbyes. Their laughter carried on the morning breeze - free, unafraid. And now they’d grow up that way, I hoped.

Mila and Ashur rode with us until the first milestone marker, their horses flanking the wagon like an honor guard. Business-like discussions of trade routes and diplomatic arrangements couldn’t quite mask the emotion in their voices.

I watched Terr’s walls shrink behind us, the Temple’s broken spires stark against the sky. Strange, how a place that had been my entire world for so long now looked so small.

“Look ahead,” Tharon murmured. “Not back.”

I turned in my seat. The road stretched before us, winding toward distant mountains. Trees I’d only seen in archives spread their branches overhead. A breeze carried scents I’d never smelled before - wild herbs, sun-warmed earth, the green smell of growing things.

Mila reined her horse alongside the wagon. “Last chance to change your mind about the trade contracts.”

“Never.” I reached for her hand. “But come visit soon? And bring news?”

“Try to stop me.” She leaned over to hug me, then straightened in her saddle. “Besides, someone has to make sure the mighty prince of Zashi treats you properly.”

Tharon’s growl held no heat. We’d all grown used to each other’s ways during my recovery.

The final goodbyes were quick - we’d already said everything that mattered. I watched Mila and Ashur until they disappeared around a bend in the road, heading back to the city they’d helped free.

“They’ll be fine,” Denna said softly. “We all will.”

I nodded, my throat so tight I couldn’t speak. Tharon’s hand found mine, warm and steady. Ahead, the mountains beckoned with the promise of a new home.

The wagon’s gentle sway took some getting used to. Denna showed me how to brace against the motion, laughing when a particularly rough bump sent cushions sliding.

---