23. En’Zal

It seems my future bride has good taste.

I followed her scent to Zallerian Sweets, my favorite bakery. My entire being was primed to her scent; every fiber of my being honed in on her, to an extent I have never experienced before.

I found Neha'Tal in tears, her face bruised. She was so panicked she could barely explain what happened, but when I got the words ‘carriage' out of her, I knew enough.

They hadn't gotten far.

I killed the two thieves brutally and yanked the doors open. Relief filled me when I saw Stella was unharmed.

And now I hold my trembling and crying human in my arms snugly. All is right with the world, for one beautiful moment.

"I'm sorry," she stammers. "I shouldn't have run away."

"It's okay, Stella."

"No, they hurt that lady! All because of me! There's so much violence, just for me!"

I kiss the top of her head and stroke her back gently. "Calm down, Stella. Please. Neha'Tal is fine. A little shook up, but she's a tough lady. She's not going to let some Kalnian thugs stop her. And none of this is your fault."

"I led them to that shop. That's my fault."

"Their crimes are theirs, not yours. I will not hear it again."

She buries her face in my chest as I slowly walk back up the hill, back to my palace, back to safety. My people bow before me as they see me pass, and I nod in thanks to each and every one.

This is all my fault.

I have not listened to Stella's concerns enough. I knew she was restless, but I thought I had it under control. I was wrong. I thought the guard I had posted would be enough to keep her from running away — wrong again.

I also didn't think Kalnian thugs would be marauding through my streets. Again, I was wrong.

Changes will need to be made.

Once we reach my quarters the young guard who's posted there explodes the moment he spots us.

"Oh by the goddess! Your Highness! Is she okay?!"

He drops down to his knees, bowing so much his nose touches the floor.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"Stand up, Har'Maz. That's an order."

He slowly gets back up, his eyes still cast down.

"Look at me, soldier."

Har'Maz slowly tilts his face up. His eyes are red and puffy.

"I'm fine," Stella says. "I'm sorry for making you worried."

"My lady, it was all my fault!"

"No, it was mine."

"No, it was mine," I say. "And that is the final say in the matter. Har'Maz: You did your job as well as could be expected of you, and you were following what you believed to be my orders. I will not punish you for that. You will remain my personal guard. Is that understood?"

He looks at me, stunned. He expected demotion. Perhaps losing his job entirely. Perhaps even the dungeon. Perhaps even death.

At another royal house, all of these things might have happened. Across the border in Kalnia, I'm sure he wouldn't see the sun ever again.

I'm not like that.

"Y-yes, Your Majesty."

"Now, my first order to you is: Don't disturb us for the rest of the day. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

I enter my quarters, close the door behind me, and pull my human in for a kiss. She closes her eyes, trembling gently as her lips part. My mouth claims hers as my hands hold her tightly.

The fear and worry I felt in every fiber of my being slowly dissipates as our tongues touch.

I will never let her out of my sight again. Not ever. The moments we spent apart were the longest of my life. If anything would have happened to her, my heart would not have survived it.

"You are mine," I say between kisses. "All mine."

Stella nods. "Yes, Your Highness," she giggles. "All yours…"

I place her down on my giant, soft bed and sit down next to her.

"There is something important I must ask of you, Stella."

"What is it, En'Zal?"

I look deeply into her eyes.

The next few words that will come out of mouth will completely change our lives.