Page 149 of A Masquerade of Shadows
“I missed you, Analleia.”
“I missed you too.”I stepped forward.“King Valeris.”
“Just Valeris.”
I was afraid to get too close.“What are you doing here?”
He shifted on his feet.“You said you couldn’t stay in Paravellia with me, but you never said anything against me coming here.”
I tilted my head.“But you have a kingdom to rule, duties to fulfill—”
“Which is why it took me a year to get here,” he interrupted.“After everything that happened, the betrayal, the explosion, I had much to take care of.I doubt we’ll be hosting the Paravellian Balls again, but I had to make sure all my affairs were in order within my own country before I ventured out to yours.”
“Mine?”
He nodded.“I brought a squadron of soldiers with me.We’re going to help you rebuild, however long it takes.After what our country did to you, it’s the least we can do.”
“And you left Paravellia to fend for themselves?”
He took a step forward, chuckling.“I left my uncle as regent.He’ll make sure everything is taken care of until I return.IfI return.”
He closed the space between us, interlacing his fingers with mine.“I don’t know how much time I have here, how long I’ll be able to stay, but I don’t want to waste any more of it.I’d like to stay.”He took a deep breath, cocking an eyebrow.“If you will allow it.”
I tilted my head, a mischievous glint shining in my eye.“I don’t know, that’s a lot to request, asking one person to put up with you.”A smile touched my lips.“But Your Highness is welcome to stay, as long as it takes to rebuild, and I do believe that will take averylong time.”
He dipped his head to kiss me, but I ducked away, holding his hand as I picked up the berry basket.“But if you make me walk all the way back to the village alone, the deal is off.”
He grabbed his reins, pulling me closer to his side.
“Not alone.”He smiled down at me, leading his horse beside us.“Together.”
I smiled back, not knowing how long we would have, not knowing if it would last, but I held on to the hope sprouting in my chest like it was my lifeline.
“Together.”
