Epilogue

It took a while to disband those who came to fight. With the Regent gone, no one else besides Sébastien in control, and the support of Rowland backing Sébastien, lords knelt and swore fealty as they came. They were sent back since no war would be fought and Soleil's borders were safe. Within a month, Sébastien imagined that for a citizen, Belle ?me felt almost normal.

Except for the lack of a Palace and a few werewolves who hadn't gone home yet.

Most seemed to believe the fake story. A fire started, and with the earthquake, a structural weakness in the foundation of the Palace had become apparent, leading to the collapse. The servants had been lucky to escape. Many ladies of the court were widowed since their husband who'd remained had been crushed to nothing by the insane weight of the rubble. How unfortunate. The remaining Knights and others hired by the Regent were only a memory.

Corentin was also gone with nothing left to bury. Not so unfortunate.

Sébastien had finally let the truth be known and declared all of the Regent's accusations to be false. Remus and Maxime backed him. Tom had known nothing and never suspected, but he came forward out of loyalty to the Prince and claimed that he'd always thought something odd was going on with the Regent. Lord Rochefort did too.

With the evidence they'd discovered in Calmerra, it was undeniable. The Regent had conspired and committed murder with the intent to kill his nephew. As for the abuse, Nulio and Alessio's statements were made public.

Considering he'd guessed others had met the same fate as him back during Uncle's little "trips" years and years ago, he should have thought closer.

A man who'd been arrested for petty theft as a young teenager had been abused in the prison. Kept separate from the rest and too young to be sold, the Regent had gone to the visit. Sébastien had felt sick reading the statement he'd been sent by the victim who wished to remain anonymous although he was willing for the statement to be made public in case anyone had doubts.

The evidence helped to smear Corentin's name and mortar Sébastien's position as King even though he wasn't officially crowned.

The weather was cooling by the time a miserable morning came. Well, Sébastien wasn't miserable while Remus held onto him from behind as they lay on their side.

Tonight, he'd sleep alone in his bed, and Remus would be on a ship to Rowland. He'd stayed longer than Sébastien had expected to ensure Soleil and the new ruler would be fine. He couldn't leave Rowland entirely to itself when his own rule was also so new.

He'd left it longer than he should have. Sébastien was tempted to ask him to stay a few more days, trying to delay it even though it was selfish. Remus had told him, more than once, they'd write, he would be back in Spring, and they'd further figure things out.

He didn't say specifics, but he'd mentioned before about them joining their Kingdoms and getting that sorted. If that was the case, and he meant it, they'd be getting married.

If he didn't, then Sébastien was a notch in his bedpost. Dear Elira, he wanted to believe it. He didn't think most men would stick around for weeks, sleep next to him every night, and be fine with sporadic sexual activity that didn't include going all of the way. Sébastien had tried to make himself want intercourse, but he hadn't been able to like that one night. He didn't know if it was lingering stress from recent events or what. Remus had said he didn't expect Sébastien to be "fine" so soon, and he hadn't pressured him either.

"I don't want to leave," Remus mumbled against his shoulder.

"I don't want you to leave, but you can't leave Rowland without proper rule or do it all by letter so early." Reality sucked.

Remus sighed. "I know. I'm going to write to you. You'll write back?"

He said it like he thought Sébastien was sick of him and couldn't wait for him to go away.

"You know I'll write."

Most of the werewolves had already left to head home. Some had stayed to act as guards, and they'd return to Rowland with him before heading to South Sea. Sébastien had taken a house in the nice part of the city to live in since he had no Palace, and he'd never return to Arquous. Sébastien and Remus rode on Whisper one last time to the docks.

If he returned, they'd ride on him again.

Tom and Lord Rochefort hung back to give them privacy while they lingered on the dock. Last-minute preparations were being made, so Remus didn't have to board right at that moment.

"What are you doing?" Sébastien asked as Remus started unbuckling his swordbelt.

"You saw my Father's hanging in the office in Norraco. Since I'm taking your handguard back to the tomb, I want you to take mine. A King needs a better weapon."

Sébastien had been carrying a basic sword since his had been dismantled. He could have had it put together with a new handguard, but he'd decided not to. While it had protected them both, looking at it reminded him of a lot of things. "But…your Father had this made for you."

Remus held it out in its scabbard. "I can carry his. He'd like that, and he wouldn't mind me giving this. I don't want to leave you, and I will return. For now, keep this to defend yourself, although I think you'll be safe here."

Sébastien took it. "Thank you, Remus."

Remus hugged him. "You know I'm coming back. This isn't goodbye."

He had to know Sébastien had been doubting himself and wondering if Remus would change his mind and never return. He'd never be as closed off quite like before, not to Remus, but he didn't know how to be entirely open yet either and simply say all of his fears and things that lurked in his head. Or at least not without sounding like a fool.

"I know it's not goodbye."

Remus gave him a deep kiss that Sébastien returned.

As the ship moved away, and Remus's figure on the deck grew smaller, Sébastien leaned on Whisper and glanced down at the sword still in his hands.

He wouldn't give Sébastien his sword and leave for good. Whisper huffed.

"I know. Spring feels like it'll never get here."

His temporary house was big, although not what he was used to living in. Still, it had surprisingly felt like a home with Remus. He dreaded going back to it, doing the work of a King every day, and sleeping in bed alone.

Whisper ducked his head, and Sébastien kissed his forehead near the horn. "He'll be back, and we'll take that ride we talked about."