Page 208 of The Wild Prince's Favorite
“...Same thing as you,” she whispered. “I found someone I loved more than I hated myself. That was all I needed.”
Kassein gave her a slight nod because, again, his older sister was right. He felt like that statement perfectly summed up his relationship with Alezya.
He didn’t know how or why, but that woman had just lit up an entire world for him. He felt like he could break the chains of the “Wild Prince” title and be whatever she needed of him.
A friend, a protector. A devoted lover, if she’d allow him.
By the gods, he was ready to worship that woman to the end of his days if she let him.
“I wish you could meet her,” he finally told his sister, clearing his sore throat. “Alezya.”
“I will, I’m sure. One day. When you two finally come to visit.”
“Or you could come back. I’ll make sure the Onyx Castle can welcome you anytime. Anyone.”
“...That would be nice,” she said. “That old castle needs a fresh start, like you. This whole area does, actually. You did good, Kassein.”
“Not yet,” he shook his head, getting up and offering a hand for his sister to do so as well, “but I promise I’ll try my best.”
“I know you will.”
Just like that, they slowly walked back together, enjoying the companionable silence until the Onyx Castle was back in sight, and Cessilia switched the subject to ask what he’d planned to do with it and gave her approval for Kassein to do as he saw fit.
“I have good and bad memories there, but I’ll be happy if you make happier ones. My heart had already taken residence far away in the east a while ago. I doubt Kiera will care, either... How about Sadara?”
“I’ll write to her later.”
“Or you could visit her more often,” Cessilia said with a pointed look. “She writes often, but I get the sense that she isn’tvery happy in the Capital. You know how reserved she is, she’ll never admit something’s wrong if she can help it.”
“I don’t think any of them are,” Kassein admitted, thinking about their siblings in the Capital.
“I guess I know where I should stop next, then. After visiting our parents, of course. Please, you have to come to Mother’s birthday celebration.”
“I will.”
“Bring your lady then,” his sister winked, “and her child too. Mom will be delighted.”
Kassein gave a noncommittal nod.
That was months away, but he sure hoped he and Alezya would be together then. And visiting his parents together suddenly seemed like a much more enticing idea for the future.
He and his sister returned to the Onyx Castle, and they found Kiera waiting outside, arms crossed with a disgusted expression directed toward the castle.
“Why the long face?” Cessilia asked.
“Dran’s evil spawn is absolutely wreaking havoc inside,” Kiera grunted. “Lorey might be more patient than I am, but I am not going anywhere near those little monsters. No wonder their mother was so happy to lend them.”
“She sure was quick to say you could keep them as long as you’d like,” Cessilia chuckled toward Kassein.
“Lumie?” he asked.
“She’s inside too, with Lorey. I think Nebora is doing the laundry or something... What’s with your eyes?”
“Nothing,” Kassein said, walking past her and inside the Onyx Castle. “Get ready to leave; we’re launching the second attack on the mountains.”
“Finally,” Kiera rolled her eyes. “Might as well unleash that miniature mayhem onto our enemies... Hey, pipsqueaks! Get outof there! Time to go to war, all of you rascals! You’ll get to chew something other than the furniture...”
One by one, the small dragons raised their heads from whatever they were doing, which was indeed biting chairs for two of them, while the last one was on the floor playing with Lumie under Lorey’s surveillance.
