Page 70 of Binding Fate

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As the sun started to wane, Alzerion knew he had to get Aironell back. Her parents would be furious if he kept her out too late. She was a vision of beauty with the weeping willow swaying in the background. He sat with his arms wrapped around her. Her head nuzzled up against his chest. He loved being so close. He knew what his mother said, but she was wrong. Aironell had kissedhim. He didn’t push her. He didn’t make the first move. There was something beautiful in that. He bent his head down and laid it against hers.

“I never want this night to end.” Aironell sighed.

He nuzzled his cheek against her head followed by a light kiss on her forehead. “I know what you mean.” It was like he waited for this moment, his whole life.

Duty and expectation. That always was put first, before all else, but now—maybe he could try something new. Dream a different dream or want something that he thought was out of his grasp. His thoughts came back into focus when he felt Aironell move. She sat up, back straight, as she placed her hands on his chest. He felt the warmth of her hands seeping beneath his shirt. He licked his lips. Then she smiled and batted her eyelashes. He shook his head while laughing. “No. Stop it.”

“What?”

Ugh.She was playing with him. She was just lucky that she was so cute.He pressed his hands against her waist and pulled her closer, until her hands buckled and wrapped around his neck. He pushed his lips against hers as his hands moved from her waist and grazed the whole of her back. His whole body felt at ease. Once again sparks flew up from their necklaces. He pulled back and watched them hit the sky.

“We really need to get a handle on that,” he joked. He slowly pulled her arms down. “However, we should head back to the palace.”

“Yeah. Let’s get right on that.” She whispered in his ear.

“Don’t tease.” Alzerion held out his hand and she grabbed it. He helped her stand up. “Not that I want to, but we should head back to the palace.”

Aironell scrunched her face and he shook her head.

“Look, I know what you’re thinking, but we will be in so much trouble if we get back after dark.” She folded her arms across her chest and pouted. “Your parents may not let me spend time with you, if we don’t be smart about this. You wouldn’t want that, would you?” He held out his arm to escort her back.

“I don’t like your smug tone, but you do make a valid point.” She grabbed hold of his arm and Alzerion escorted them out of Majestic Park.

“Aironell, I promise I’ll come see you first thing in the morning.”

“You better.” She grinned. He shook his head as he headed toward the palace.

A SEERS WORDS AND WARNING

Q

ueen Evalyn sat and sipped her tea. Eyes closed as the rich cinnamon sloshed around in her mouth, with cloves. Her posture perked, just a bit, as she tasted this new, sweeter, note.

What could it be? With eyebrows furrowed she looked down into her cup as her tongue pressed the hints of the taste into the roof of her mouth. If she could force the answer she would.

“Dearest,” King Francisco spoke, “is everything alright?” He tilted his head toward her.

“Of, course. I’m just wondering what this tastes like.” Her lips pursed.

The king’s fingers grazed over the rough edge of his mahogany desk. He sat sideways at her, squinting his eyes at the cup. “It’s not your usual?”

“If it was, I wouldn’t be wondering, now would I?”

He chuckled. “I guess not. Amplio.” Then he snapped his fingers. The sound of the snap almost made her flinch. It reverberated through the room.

“What was that for?” Her nose wrinkled.

“I thought, why waste time wondering when we can go right to the source.” The queen shifted in her seat as she placed the cup on the little circular table.

The bedroom door opened and Isabella came in smoothing out the crease in her beige apron. She ambled over and stood between the two of them and bowed.

“Your majesty,” Isabella said as she looked to the king. She gave the queen a curt nod, but then snapped her attention right back. “Good morning, your majesty. What can I do?”

“Actually, the queen had a question.” He motioned to his wife, with his right palm.

Isabella turned toward the queen. “Isabella, I was wondering if you did something different this morning with the tea?”

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