Page 77 of Ties of Starlight

“I appreciate that. It wasn’t always so bad. Sometimes he’d be proud of me. Although, I don’t know if that was better or worse because his approval always made it messier than if he was consistent in never being pleased with me. Some days I’m not really even sure I know what I’m doing. For all his personal flaws, at least he knew how to run a kingdom. Two years and I still don’t feel like I know if any of my choices are right.”

Idonea brushed her palm over his heart. “If the only thing I can offer you is this, hear me now. I’ve seen many kings. I’ve woken up to the consequences of many of your ancestors’ choices. Of all the kings I’ve seen, you are the one I have the most faith in. Being here right now proves that.”

Nyrunn’s throat tightened, and he fell silent, unable to speak without choking up. Considering they were still climbing down a cliff face, he couldn’t risk a single tear slipping and putting their lives in danger.

It was as grueling a climb down as it had been up, and he had a few heart-dropping moments when his foot or hand didn’t quite get a good enough grip, but Idonea never panicked. If anything, her calm, steady demeanor as a woman who had done this several times before kept him steady as well. He would not drop her. She had faith he wouldn’t, and that was enough.

When his feet touched solid ground, the crowd began applauding and cheering behind them. Idonea slid off his back, but he wasn’t ready to let go just yet. He whipped around and grabbed her, lifting her up and spinning her around with a relieved, almost hysterical laugh.

He didn’t know if it was pure relief or the magic in the bond making him this giddy, but it didn’t matter.

She let out a shocked squeal, reaching up to grab the crown of lilies and hold it in place as he did so. The crowd watching cheered even louder, but he could see his court’s faces shifting into more shocked expressions at such a display. He didn’t care what they thought. He’d made it through the Rescue, which meant there was only one ritual left.

He released Idonea as Frode, Asa, and the guards finished the hike back down, Asa heading straight for Idonea.

Nyrunn was ready to pull Idonea away and bask in the glow of their achievement, but that was when the Constella caught Nyrunn's gaze and gestured for him to follow him.

Nyrunn did so, leaving Idonea with Asa and Frode. He ducked to the edge of the camp with the Constella. The elf said, “During the Rescue, I heard back from my acolytes.”

Nyrunn’s heart seized in his chest. When the Constella didn’t immediately continue, he snapped, “And?”

The Constella pulled out a letter and glanced down at it. “There were rumors of Ottar’s infidelity even before they reached the Constellation Pool. The witch queen had become close with Idunn, and by all accounts she was the one who convinced Idunn to stay and ensured the two still finished the ceremony. A year later, the witch queen returned for a visit and Ottar was discovered, poisoned in another woman's bed. Idunn passed an exact year later, allegedly from grief.”

Well, that explained a few things.

If anyone could be responsible for this magic, it would be a powerful human witch.

Maybe Idonea had some memories of that life that would be useful and she just didn’t know it.

“Thank you, Constella.”

“Anytime, Your Majesty.”

Nyrunn found Idonea by the fire, rolling her eyes with Lady Asa as Frode was deep in some tangent that Nyrunn didn't care to listen to long enough to decipher. Instead, he made sure to grab their dinner rations as an excuse, carrying the bowls with one hand and wrapping the other hand around her arm and tugging. She slid her hand into his and followed him, both slipping away toward the other end of camp. There were quite a few boulders, and he took a seat on one, pulling her up after him.

“You know, I don't have rock-related trauma to solve,” Idonea said as she pulled her legs up, leaning on her hand as they sat on the large boulder.

“Did you think this was for you?” Nyrunn asked, handing her one of the bowls. “I’m trying to conquer my freshly inflicted rock trauma.”

Idonea laughed and if he could bottle the sound to listen to it again and again, he would in a heartbeat.

“Asa always insists you were charming, or at least you used to be. I’m starting to see what she meant.”

Nyrunn pushed back the dumb grin that threatened to overtake his face. He was about to ruin this, but he couldn’t stop himself from replying, “Really? What else are you starting to see?”

But instead of rolling her eyes and taking his ego down a peg, she stared at him, not touching her food. “You. I think, since this all started, I’ve finally started seeing you.”

He set his bowl to the side. “Instead of my uncle, you mean?”

Idonea nodded, took a long breath and said, “Yes. I don’t… I don’t really know what you know. You haven’t asked, and I haven’t told you much about my previous lives. I suppose I didn't think it mattered much. My memories, they're scattered. Some things I don't remember and only know because they're recorded in the historical record.”

Nyrunn had to force himself to breathe. She was telling him of her own accord?

He spoke slowly, “What do you remember?”

“The more recent the life, the more I remember.” She brushed her hand over her birthmark. “For better or for worse.”

He nodded at it. “What do you mean?”

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