Page 284 of The Wild Prince's Favorite
Alezya blushed.
“Kassein and Kiera… I put them in a lot of danger,” she muttered. “They didn’t have to fight this war.”
“A lot of men do terrible things for much worse reasons,” Cassandra said, a mysterious expression in her eyes. “My son fought this war because he trusts you, Alezya. Because he loves you, and because he saw what you were capable of, and what you needed. Kassein spent a lot of years fighting against himself most of all. But you came, and for the first time, you gave him a reason to fight for someone else.”
“Still,” she mumbled, feeling choked up. “He didn’t have to… I used him. I used his love for me, and I–”
“No,” Cassandra interrupted her with a chuckle. “Alezya, dear, if there is one thing I have learned over all these years, it is that, eventually, a dragon will always do what a dragon wants, and none of my children are any different. Kassein…”
She took a deep breath, her eyes getting misty for a second.
“Kassein has been unhappy for a long time,” she said, “and there was nothing we could do or say to help. You’re a mother too, and I am sure you know that there is nothing more painful than to be helpless to help your child. Kassein didn’t fit anywhere, and he and Kein were always, always fighting. Trying to… harm each other. And then, all of a sudden, I hear that my son and his dragon are fighting, not against one another, but together, for a woman and her baby.”
Alezya blushed. How odd must the situation have sounded for Kassein’s parents…? But his mother smiled.
“I hadn’t seen Kassein in a long while, and the first thing he says when he sees me, is to help you. It’s the first thing he asks of me inyears,and it’s to save someone. So, of course, I do. And as soon as he knows you’ll be alright, he tells me everything about you, how brave, kind, courageous you are, and all I see ismy son finallyhappy. Happy here, and most importantly, happy with you. And then I saw him holding your baby girl, and by the Water God, I cried happy tears.”
She looked on the verge of tears now, and one escaped as she gently pressed Alezya’s hand.
“My children can destroy buildings, bridges, mountains,” she chuckled, “and they have. They can fly to the end of the world, lead armies, disappear for weeks without notice. They can love and marry whomever they please, and they can certainly give me dozens of grandbabies. The one and only thing that I ask is for each and every one of them to be happy. And you gave me that for Kassein. So, no, darling, I do not care that my son fought a war for you. So long as he is happy, you can ask of him whatever you want, Alezya.”
Now Alezya was the one choking back tears, and the two women exchanged a long, compassionate, and understanding gaze.
“I want to be happy too,” she finally muttered. “With him.”
“That’s all I wish for you two,” Cassandra smiled. “You both deserve it.”
Alezya forced herself to take a deep breath and smiled back. Then, after another silence, she frowned.
“Is... Is everything alright?” she asked shyly. “With the clans?”
“Yes,” Cassandra nodded. “Don’t worry. Kassein will take you up there soon enough for you to see. Right now, all that matters is that you recover first. Lots of rest, soups, and, once you can, some meat. Kassein told me you’re quite fond of it.”
Alezya wanted to melt under the covers, but she only gave her a nod while she turned a terrible shade of red.
“Alezya!”
She turned toward the door and blinked. Lorey stood there, beaming, a vase of flowers in her arms. She barely had time toreact before the young woman crossed the room, dropped the vase on the bedside table, and pulled her into a hug without warning. The hug was so unexpected and blunt it caught her off guard, and yet, Alezya found herself returning it without hesitation. She wasn’t sure when it had happened, but she knew Lorey was the first friend she’d had in a long while, maybe ever, and she was so grateful for the kindness and patience she’d shown her.
“Lorey,” she smiled in her shoulder.
Her friend pulled back, her eyes sparkling with happiness, and she cupped Alezya’s cheek.
“You hurt?” she asked. “You alright?”
Alezya wasn’t sure which to answer, so she just smiled back, feeling her throat tight with emotion. Then, Kassein’s mom spoke, and Lorey relaxed, visibly pleased with whatever she’d said about Alezya’s condition. She turned back to smile at her, and the two young women exchanged a long, complicit look.
“Kiera?” Alezya asked.
“Kiera is fine,” Lorey smiled. “She is hunting some people.”
“Hunting again?” Alezya worried.
“Kiera’s gone to track down those who refused the peace treaty Kassein offered,” Cassandra explained. “Most of the Northern clans were happy to end the war, but a few individuals have acted dishonorably. She’s making sure they will not be a problem in the future.”
Alezya nodded. She knew better than most that there would be some unwilling to let go of the old ways. They had profited off the weakness of others for too many years, and the Dragon Clan coming to establish a society where fear of dragons would no longer be a tool for control was bound to carve a very different future for the Northern clans…
She turned back to Lorey, who shrugged, like her partner going to hunt down some men was just some regular errand. ButAlezya took her friend’s hand, giving her a serious expression that had Lorey raise her eyebrow questioningly.
