Page 61 of Water Dragon
“I think, perhaps, given the circumstances we should wait until the final first and last trial has been completed,” King Morton proposed. “Prince Ewan of Rogoros seems to still require green garments.”
“Perhaps I will even after the trial,” Ewan remarked. “Perhaps I’m not meant to integrate the elemental magics.”
“Perhaps.” King Morton nodded. “We shall have to wait and see. Until we know for certain, I believe we should all rule our kingdoms as we always have, knowing that now we are more than chosen by the elements—we are joined together.”
“What of further attacks? Whoever is behind this won’t simply stop, clearly,” King Greer said.
“No, we can safely assume they will not,” King Morton agreed. “Which is why it falls to Ewan to put a final nail in their coffin.”
“How?”
“By making them believe they have nothing to fear. We shall not search for them. Instead, we shall put on a show of standing the triumphant victors,” King Morton said. “Make them relax into believing they’re beyond suspicion while staying vigilant and observing everyone and anyone who come close to us, but especially you, Ewan.”
Ewan nodded slowly, his hold on Iona tightening slightly. She looked up at him, giving his waist a squeeze of support.
“I’m sorry,” she said when the conversation began to flow more freely between them all. “I thought you were wicked. I thought you might be in cahoots with Lady Shannon.”
He smiled, shrugging. “I cannot blame you,” he said. “She might have turned my head if she’d tried. But she didn’t. She never gave me the slightest hint that she might not be… I didn’t even realize she had feelings for Malcolm. I’m such a blind fool.”
Iona smiled up at him, shaking her head.
“We’re all blind fools under such circumstances,” she said. “There is no blame here. No one is holding anything against you. You will always be welcome here, anytime. All the time, should you wish it.”
He laughed then, clearly relieved.
“Thank you, my queen,” he said, pressing his forehead to hers briefly, playfully.
She gave him a shove with her hip but couldn’t kill the smile. It was relief, she realized. For Malcolm. That he hadn’t lost Ewan. That she hadn’t lost Malcolm. That the threat was diminished, at least for now. That they had managed it against all odds and the elemental magics had been there, through it all, watching their backs. It made her hopeful for the outcome of whatever battle was yet to come.
She turned her head to look up at Malcolm. Even though his face was dirty and his dark hair disheveled, even though he looked like he could sleep for a week, it didn’t matter. He could wear nothing but a cloak for the rest of their lifetime, and she wouldn’t even bat an eyelash.
She smirked when his eyes made contact with hers.
“What?” he asked.
“You’re very handsome,” she commented.
“I’m in dire need of a bath, though,” he smiled, making her stomach dip dangerously and she shook her head at him.
“I’m not washing your back, your highness,” she said.
“Oh? Not even if I ask nicely?” he teased.
“Not even if you invited me in there with you,” she replied, though they both knew instantly that was a big fat lie. His eyes began to twinkle, and she felt herself flush at the fact that he was looking at her like that in front of everyone.
“What if I asked you to be mine? Right now?”
She furrowed her brow. “What do you mean?”
“That I don’t want to wait. That I don’t care about having a big bonding ceremony. If I’ve learned anything from today, it’s that what matters is choosing. My hearts choose you, every day, forever. I want forever to start right now.”
“But… Right now?” A smile was creeping back as she stopped overthinking, stopped wondering exactly what she should or shouldn’t do and began to feel instead. “Okay,” she said slowly. “May I invite my parents?”
He laughed then. “I know your mother is easily fetched, but how quickly can your father get here?” he asked.
“Quickly,” she assured him. “A few hours at most.”
“A few hours,” he murmured, looking as though his mind was drifting to what sort of activities they might get up to in that time, and she gave him a look to not ruin the moment. A smile split his face, and she could barely believe she would get to produce that expression on his face for the rest of their life together. She wanted it to begin right then as well. “Maybe one hour?” he asked.
