Page 49

I’m not sure what wakes me but the sun has barely risen when I open my eyes.

The clearing is shrouded in shadows and mist, and despite the fire being reduced to embers I feel surrounded by heat.

That’s when I remember and realise the heat source is Barra’s body to my front and Aaran’s to my back.

I’m cocooned between them like a precious pearl in a shell.

Aaran, in particular, covers me with his body as if holding back the world.

I close my eyes and think back over the events of the night before.

I still don’t know how to process what happened.

A few days ago I was a virgin, and now I’ve not only slept with the prince but also both his soldiers – at the same time.

I’m not quite sure if that’s what he had in mind when he suggested embracing my “awakening”.

I suspect this is not normal behaviour for someone newly initiated into the sexual realm but I can’t say I feel it was wrong.

Actually, if I’m being honest with myself it felt right, very right and mind-blowingly amazing.

Even now, in the grey light of early morning, as I feel the solidity of Barra’s chest under my cheek and the protective embrace of Aaran’s arms around my body, it feels perfect.

Being with them feels as natural as breathing, and no-one is more surprised by this than me.

A small sound grabs my attention and my eyes fly open.

I’m not sure what it was but I still my breathing in order to hear better.

Nothing. I’m just about to close my eyes when I hear it again.

A small scratching sound, like someone or something walking on the gravel at the edge of the clearing.

Perhaps it’s a wolf, or worse, one of the mysterious Callachs.

I slowly raise my head and gasp at what I see, not quite believing my eyes.

There, sitting on the very same stone I sat on yesterday, is the prince. My eyes go wide with shock but my heart fills with joy.

“Is everything all right, Queen Elinor?” Barra asks, his face full of concern, but before I can reply, Aaran replies from behind me, “The prince is here.”

The three of us rise together and gently approach the prince. He is sitting on the stone, looking into space, and it’s difficult to guess at his mental state. He looks tired, forlorn and weary, and I feel my heart crack at the pitiable sight of this wonderful man brought so low.

“My Prince?” Barra says in a gentle voice. “My Prince, it’s Barra, how do you fare?”

The prince turns his head and my hand flies to my mouth as I try to stifle the gasp that escapes my lips. His eyes are two pools of torment and there’s no doubt he’s in a world of agony.

“Oh, Ronan,” I whisper as I rush to him.

He raises his head to look at me and I’m so grateful when I see the spark of recognition lurking deep in the dark green storms that are now his eyes. He reaches for me and I gladly take him into my arms.

“Elinor.” He rasps out my name. “I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry.”

“Hush,” I whisper into his hair as I hold him close to my bosom, “there’s no need to apologise. All is well. We just need to get you back to Valensia and make you well again.”

“You’d be better off leaving me in this desolate place,” he replies. “I’m broken, Elinor, and I’m not sure there’s any power in your realm or any other that can fix me.”

I feel the cracks in my heart widen at his words.

“That remains to be seen,” I tell him, my voice firm, “but I can tell you this, Prince Ronan of Ellerban. I am not leaving here without you, and neither are Barra and Aaran.”

He looks up and sees his two soldiers standing on either side of me. He reaches out a hand to each of them. “Barra, Aaran, yet again you have come for me, my brothers. Thank you.”

They each take his hand and throw their other arms around him, clasping him firmly on his back in a show of support and love.

I place my hands on theirs and as I stand there in the early morning light, connected to these three men, I feel an unbreakable bond being formed and I know whatever it is I share with them, it was always meant to be.