Page 114 of Midwinter Wiles & Valerian Dreams
I can barely breathe under the weight of her words, and yet my heart is soaring with new life.
She pulls back to search my face. “Drowning Deep! The hearing—what happened? Is it over? Have they decided?” Her gaze darts toward the front of the hall, and she grabs my sleeve. “Daria is your Head Sentry? But, Lark…she knows everything! Oh,no, no, no. She knows it’s not a real engagement.”
“Breathe,kulta,” I whisper, “I need you to breathe.”
“I am breathing. I’m definitely not freaking out. Why? Are you freaking out? I feel like maybe you should be freaking out.”
“No,” I say, and I actually mean it. “I thought I had to be enough, alone, but I’m not alone. It turns out I never was. Not only do I have the little beasties, but after staying put in this town, apparently I have friends. These folk all came to support us.” I gesture at the hall, where Ludo waits with so many other shocked and amused faces. Then I turn back to the one who matters most. “And above all, I have someone telling me I’m worth believing in, worth helping, worth fighting for.”
Her gaze steadies on mine, and her voice comes out strong. “Of course you do. Wait…you mean me, right? You’d better mean me. Because I don’t just believe you’re worth all that, Iknowit. Now these people know it too, so there’s no way the board says otherwise." She faces the dais. "Right, Daria? Anyone can see Lark is the best person for these kids. He never needed me for that to be true.”
“Oh, does this mean we can finally carry on?” Daria asks. She sounds prim, but she’s still not looking in Beron’s direction.
I need to get the rest of that story, but for now, I stifle my grin. “Yes, ma’am. We’re ready.”
Another sentry speaks up. “Am I understanding correctly that this joint custody petition is not, in fact, a proper engagement?”
Swallowing, I brace myself to tell the truth. “I apologize for the deception. It seemed the best way to improve my chances, but I see that was wrong, and I’m deeply sorry.”
A few of the sentries duck their heads, and my stomach sinks. If I lose now, it will be entirely my fault, all on a technicality. I should never have listened to muskrat face.
Sentry Niemi himself rises from his chair. “If it pleases the board,” he says, waiting for a nod from Daria before continuing, “I believe I may be partially to blame for Mr Hyveri’s mistaken belief.”
Partially?
“As you’ve undoubtedly read in my case file, I’ve found the childlings to be well cared for on each encounter, predating the appearance of Ms Val, er—” He squeaks like Hugo. “I mean, of Her Royal Highness, Princess Talvie of the Hinterlands.”
Talvie stiffens at her full title being announced.
“Yes,” Daria confirms, “we saw that. And combined with our observations as a board and the statements presented to us, this fake partnership does not—”
“Wait,” Talvie interrupts. “It’s not fake.” She turns to face me. “If you meant any of it, Lark, then I meant every bit since I said yes. Including saying yes.”
My heart somersaults. “Technically…you never said yes.”
“Technically, you never asked.” She smiles at me.
“Maybe I should fix that.”
“Maybe you should. And maybe my answer will stay the same.”
Behind us, Queen Taynia gives a small cough. “Talvie. Don’t be rash. This…arrangement was one thing. I understand why you did it. But you can’t marry a Wilder Fae. Such things aren’t done.”
It’s a gut punch of reality.
Then, from the back, someone calls out, “Maybe they should be!”
A ripple of approval runs through the townsfolk. That little wave of support means everything. They haven’t just accepted me; they’re accepting Talvie, pointy ears and all, and accepting us, together.
Inhaling deeply, I turn to my queen. “I know it’s selfish, but I’d do anything to be worthy of Talvie. On top of being a Wild One, I know I’m only an illusionist, and I don’t deserve her. But if she’ll have me, I’ll spend my life trying to earn her faith in me.”
Taynia’s lips press thin. “Talvie has a duty to the Hinterlands as its future queen. She can’t just run off with an acting troupe.”
This time it really does sting. Of course it was stupid, but I let myself hope, and I nearly forgot it was all just a pretty illusion. A dream.
“Excuse me,” Talvie cuts in, “but I’m standing right here. And Lark, someone very smart once told me that I don’t have to earn anything from him. You are worthy because you’re you, Lark. There is nothing you can do or say to earn my faith, because you have it already. There is no one in all the Hinterlands more worthy than you.”
“Talvie, you have to admit, I’m not the right man for a princess.”
