Chapter Twenty-seven: One Season Later

S now drifted down, dusting the covered markers on the graves of Eron's father and brother. A Gertian priest droned on, reciting the names of all the Eritrescue rulers who'd come before, and offered blessings on the family. He stepped back after a lengthy eulogy, possibly because he'd run out of words.

Queen Lessa had chosen practical clothing that still spoke of her position but also kept her warm. She clutched a bouquet from the castle greenhouse. Her sons stood at her back. Eron stood by her side, giving her a reassuring smile.

She winked, keeping her expression solemn for the occasion.

Representatives of the neighboring kingdoms gathered around. The graves were shrouded in purple fabric, already kissed by the snow.

Lessa stepped away, turned, and addressed the assembly. "My dear friends and family. Thank you for joining me in paying tribute to my father and brother, left in unmarked graves all of these seasons." She nodded to eight attendants, who each seized a corner of the fabric over the graves—four at Father's, four at Dafron's.

They lifted the fabric at her next nod, stepping back to reveal the gravestones of King Lothan Eritrescue and Crown Prince Dafron Eritrescue. She handed flowers to her sons and to Eron, and they placed them on the graves.

Lessa stepped toward the stones last. "Thank you for all you've done, Father, Brother. You left us far too soon, but you will live on in our hearts and minds. I shall endeavor, as queen, to guide the people as you've done. May I be worthy of my family's legacy." She placed her flowers on the graves.

Eron would have liked to stay at the graveside for a while longer, but he had to attend his sister, showing his support for his new queen.

Two guards led the procession, followed by Eron and Lessa, with young Dafron and Eron behind them. Eron looked forward to getting to know his nephews better, though Simona had warned him not to play cards with them. Lessa apparently taught them well.

"I wish you'd accept Crau's lands and title," Lessa said to Eron. "As my brother, you should be a duke. I can give you another if you don't want his title."

Eron smiled, slowly shaking his head. "I appreciate the offer, but as I've done for the last roughly four hundred and sixty-one times you've offered, I must decline."

Lessa sighed. "Still the same stubborn Eron." She graced him with a smile. "I'm glad some things haven't changed. But know if you need anything, you have but to ask."

"I know." Eron took his sister's elbow, steering her around a particularly icy-looking cobblestone patch.

"What became of Miisov's body?" she asked.

"Ke… Lady Elzabai had her father cremated, and his ashes spread around the kingdom he'd served."

"I wish she'd have let me attend. I wanted to show my gratitude for all he did for us."

"I think she needed to do this alone." Kene, no doubt, still had conflicting feelings about her father. Eron didn't envy her, but he'd be there for her.

Lessa nodded, the rubies in her crown winking in the weak sunlight. "Like I said, stubbornness never changes."

"I would ask a favor, though."

"Anything."

"If it hadn't been for Master Anthone saving me, I'd be dead now." Eron's hard swallow didn't clear the lump from his throat. "I'm told he's buried behind the chapel. I'd like for him to receive a stone as well. I'd also like the same to be done for stablemaster Hentri. If his remains can't be found, I'd like to build a memorial near the stables." Both men deserved recognition for their sacrifices.

Lessa gave a curt nod. "It will be done. Would you like to know what we did to Bain and Crau?"

"No, I wouldn't. I just regret that you'll be separated from Dafron the Younger since Selin abdicated, and my nephew now rules Anilitk." Hard to believe a boy scarcely older than Eron had been when Father died now ruled in his own right.

"It breaks my heart not to be with him, but we have trusted advisors, and two of Kerric's men are serving in his personal guard." Unshed tears glittered in her eyes. "I will miss him. But I plan to see him as often as possible."

"I'm sure you will, and both monarchies will thrive with their newfound cooperation."

Eron rode Rhedos down the winding road leading to the woods, gazing up at the castle in the moonlight and pulling his cloak tighter. The heavy clouds would soon drop more snow over the ramparts. He imagined a line of gargoyles covered in snow, shivering at the thought.

At least the snow wasn't as bad as in Dillane, where some in the higher elevations were homebound for days on end, unable to travel roads buried thigh-deep or deeper under snow.

An owl hooted nearby while the wind sighed through the trees, the perfect night for hunting.

Only now, thanks to Queen Lessa's decree, Eron no longer hunted wealth to take away from pompous lordlings. Now, he rode the paths he'd learned from Kene, watching for those who shouldn't be here. So far, he'd thwarted two bands of outlaws intent on the castle. Seemed word got around about the new queen, and some believed a queen couldn't be nearly as effective as a king at keeping the peace.

She'd show them. Already she'd set her house in order, though she didn't kill off all suspected of being loyal to Bain. If they begged for crumbs at the former king's table, they had no power of their own. While Lessa didn't exactly shun them, all at court knew who'd fallen from favor.

A few who'd failed to repent had been dealt with. She'd not allow malcontents to ruin what her family worked so hard to build. Eron had made the right choice.

The thud of a horse's hooves sounded behind Eron a few moments before Kerric pulled up alongside. The moonlight kissed his features, turning his hair to burnished silver.

Though dressed as a royal guard, Kerric wore an Ibrus talisman from a cord around his neck—a gift from Queen Lessa herself to replace the one stolen after the battle that killed Eron's father and brother.

"Quiet night," Kerric said. "It seems word has spread that Queen Lessa is no easy conquest. Speaking of conquests, how many marriage proposals did she receive today?"

"Six by the time we met for midday meal." Eron shrugged. "She's probably received more since then."

"Think she'll ever remarry?"

"Doubtful." Lessa's experience with marriage left her with no desire to repeat the ritual, and she had allies aplenty without tying herself to another.

Kerric and Eron sat on their horses for a few moments before Kerric asked, "What now?"

Eron had been afraid he'd ask, for this conversation could change the course of a future he hoped they'd spend together. No going back now. "I'm no longer needed here. As Kene is renewing her study of magic to prepare for becoming a royal mage, I'll spend more time running the affairs of her estate. I'm told that as long as she makes no soul debts, magic won't age her as it did Miisov."

"Oh, I see," Kerric said flatly.

"What are your plans?"

"Queen Lessa has offered me the role of commander if I accept her offer."

"Congratulations! What of your men?" Though happy for Kerric, something in Eron's chest squeezed. Would Kerric want to resume his old life? A life without Eron?

"Some have returned to their homes, having been gone for too long. Two now guard your nephew. Those remaining will help their commander undo the damage caused by Bain."

"Are you staying?" Please stay with me. Eron wouldn't beg. Kerric had had little enough control over his life recently. He deserved to make his own choices. And commander? No bad for a man who still appeared thirty.

"I've long been planning revenge I never thought I'd get. Now that it's over, I don't know what to do," Kerric admitted.

"Ever thought about living a genteel life as the consort of a nobleman?"

"Not really." Kerric grinned. "I have considered life as a part-time highwayman. Are you in need of an apprentice?"

Once more, Eron put the good of another before his own wishes. "Kerric, you can do anything you want to with your life now. You don't have to stay out of duty. Let me ask you. When did you last do anything simply because you wanted to?"

Kerric placed his warm palm against Eron's cheek. "Every time I take you to bed. Every kiss we share. Fighting to protect you. Shall I go on, or do you get the idea?"

Eron grinned. "I think I understand. What would you do if you could do anything you wanted?"

"Is it too forward to say I'd want to spend every moment with you?"

Tight iron bands unwound from around Eron's chest. "Not forward. And if you never ask for what you want, you'll never get it."

"Then I want to spend time with you. But how will we arrange that? The queen's brother and a guard."

Eron reached out and laced his fingers with Kerric's. "I've heard tell of someone with an estate in Dillane who might have a use for you and me. Come with me? You have nothing holding you here, do you?"

"No. My family is long gone; my men have scattered or no longer need me. My quest for revenge is gone. I'm ready for a new adventure. A new reason for living."

Eron leaned in, claiming Kerric's lips. He locked their gazes when he pulled away. "Nothing is keeping you here."

"Nothing at all."

A smile stretched Eron's cheeks. He couldn't remember having ever been this happy, even with the bulk of his memories now restored. "Then come away with me."

Kerric stiffened. "Now?"

"I want to say goodbye to Lessa and the boys, let her know I'll be back if she needs me. Kene is staying here. She'll watch over my family while I watch her estate."

Kerric leaned in, kissing Eron once more. "Then I can't wait for what life brings next, Lord Night."

"Nor I, my immortal sentry."