Chapter Fifteen

Later in the day, Gwyneth sought out Kiran, finding him in his study surrounded by a stack of neglected paperwork. Upon seeing Gwyneth, Kiran’s face lit up with a warm smile, and he abandoned his work, pushing his chair back and motioning for her to approach. She complied, and once she was close enough, he gently placed her on his lap, a smile still playing on his lips as he leaned in to plant a soft kiss on her neck.

“What’s on your mind?” Kiran inquired, obviously sensing her tension.

“What?” she replied innocently.

“You appeared worried when you walked in.”

Gwyneth hesitated before responding, “I’m fine.”

“Are you in any pain?”

She shook her head, her smile widening. “No, just a little sore.”

Kiran beamed with pride.

“From falling off your horse,” she quipped, understanding the direction of his thoughts, “among other things.”

They both chuckled, and he kissed her again.

“But there’s more,” she admitted.

“What is it?”

“I saw The Dark Wolf today.”

“And?” Kiran prompted.

“Just as you said, he behaved like an animal. Instead of speaking to me, he transformed.”

“They’ve been changed, Gwyn. I don’t understand how, but something has altered them.”

“And that’s what we need to figure out. He holds the answers, but I don’t know how to reach him.” She sighed, feeling disappointed in herself and her inability to get any further.

“We will find a way,” Kiran assured her.

“You sound so sure.”

“Nothing can stay concealed forever.”

“And how long have you been fighting these wolves?”

“They appeared not long after I assumed the throne.”

“When was that?” she asked.

“When I was sixteen,” he revealed.

“That’s so young, and you’ve been ruling ever since?”

“I have.”

Gwyneth felt taken aback by this revelation. “Wasn’t that difficult?”

“Sometimes, but I had reliable support.”

She nodded, smiling slightly before kissing his cheek. Kiran reciprocated with a warm smile.

“Friends are important,” Gwyneth remarked.

“And this comes from someone without them,” Kiran said.

Gwyneth chuckled and nodded. “Yes, but I had my comrades.”

“Can they truly be seen as friends?” Kiran wondered.

“I was busy. My work always demanded my attention.”

“Did you never grow tired of it?”

“Do you ever grow tired of being king?” she countered teasingly.

“There’s a difference.” Kiran pointed out.

“How? Can you set the crown aside?”

“No, but I remember to take time for myself as well. I don’t always sit here or go out to fight The Dark Wolves. I make time for the people who matter.”

Gwyneth sighed, rose from her seat, and Kiran allowed her to do so. He watched her pace for a moment, running her hand through her short hair.

“I didn’t see much point,” she admitted.

“In having friends?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I wasn’t sure I was worthy of it, exactly because of what you said. You make time for them. I never did.”

“Why not?”

“My mother left when I was young, and while my father did his best to be there for me, he was often occupied with work. I wanted to live up to him and ensure I was never a burden to him, but I lost him at seventeen.”

“You were never a burden, Gwyn.”

“I wanted to prove that to myself,” she confessed.

“You need to remember to take better care of yourself,” Kiran reassured her. “You can relax without the world falling apart.”

Gwyneth chuckled and drew nearer. “I know. I’m listening, and that’s why I’m not still in the dungeon. I came up here instead.”

“Good, because I don’t want you dwelling in the darkness all the time so I have to come fetch you to remind you to rest.”

Gwyneth smiled and settled into a chair in front of his desk. Kiran chuckled softly.

“Do you need help?” she offered.

“Oh, now you’re going to assist me with ruling?” Kiran teased.

“Well, I suppose I could attempt to play the part of a queen while I’m here.”