Page 135 of Spar of Hearts

I thought I saw Count Scorer skulking around my estate last month, but I cannot know for sure…

Dearest Father,

Today, Count Scorer followed me to my estate after the spring Council session. When I confronted him, he said the most ridiculous thing. He claimed he wanted to make sure I got home safe. If it happens again, I think I will have to call the knights. I would tell Princess Anya, but she is leaving for Aquillas soon, and I do not want her to worry. I suppose I should have written about that first. There is a mana stone shortage. I knew somewhat of it, but not its extent. I feel terribly guilty for using so many stones on Mother, even though they came from you. I have given what I can to the orphanage Princess Anya is visiting on her way to Aquillas. I tried to be a part of the expedition, but Their Majesties did not allow it. It is for the best, anyway. Mother could not bear to be alone for so long…

And then she found the newest letter, dated only two weeks ago.

Dearest Father,

My hand trembles as I write this.

Count Scorer kissed me.

I haven’t the foggiest idea how it got to that point. One minute, we were reviewing Princess Anya’s agenda for the week, and the next, his lips were on mine. I was so surprised, my ink bottle tipped and stained the table.

I thought he despised me, well and truly. So I asked him as much. He asked me the same.

How wrong we were.

I’ve learned much about why he is the way he is. He feels indebted to Their Majesties for taking him in. He is desperate to help them as much as he can. For years he thought Princess Anya would abdicate. She always spoke of being a dame, a sailor, even a star in the sky, and so he prepared himself to shoulder the role of Crown Prince as best he could. But the day has not come. In his folly, he thought he could ‘encourage’ her out of the palace by behaving like a brute.

So I told him. I told him of Princess Anya’s fear of him becoming Crown Prince. Oh father, how the barriers we build are so easily blown down! I cannot wait for the Princess to return. When she realizes Cyrus’s earnest intent, it will be a weight off her shoulders.

Hot tears hit the parchment as Anya read the final line.

I can’t wait to see the incredible things she’ll do.

Chapter 45

Roderick Bryson

Roderick’s heart nearly leapt out of his chest when he saw Anya emerge from the shadow of the portcullis. He’d lost track of how many times he’d paced the perimeter. It was nearly dark now. The warm glow of torches filled the courtyard, and he swore the guard assigned to him had even nodded off once or twice.

“Anya!” He jogged to meet her on the cobblestone path and enveloped her in his arms. She immediately melted against him. Divine Almighty, she fit so perfectly there. He inhaled deep and slow, allowing the scent and warmth of her to unwind his anxieties. “I was about ready to bust my way back in. What happened to not being long?”

“The Prince is very thorough,” she answered, still not loosing herself from their embrace. That was fine, though. He enjoyed the sensation of her cheeks moving against him as she spoke. “But we reached a deal. Six chests of mana stones are being delivered to the Lupus Star right now.”

Those words released all the weight from his shoulders. The children would be fine. More than fine. If famine or disaster struck Valeria, every region would be prepared to weather the storm.

He pulled away to see her face. “Why didn’t you start with that!?”

Anya chuckled weakly, but oddly, without a true smile. He’d filed away her expressions since Annette told him to make her smile. When she was truly happy, the corners of her eyes would scrunch together. Her eyes would sparkle, and her pupils would blow wide. No doubt the negotiations had drained the life out of her.

He caressed her cheek, sweeping a thumb up and down her soft skin. “Oh, my darling diplomat. How did you do it? What did he want?”

Anya opened her mouth, then coughed. Her eyes flashed with fear for a moment, but as quickly as it happened, she recovered. A dry throat from all the talking, perhaps. He could fix that.

She cleared her throat. “He turned out to not be entirely heartless to the suffering of the children. His only term was that we never return to Aquillas.”

“Oh. I know you wanted prolonged trade, but this is better than returning empty handed. I’m proud of you. Your parents will be, too. I know it. This is a victory, Anya.” A sly smile crept to his lips. “And I think we should celebrate.”

“What did you have in mind?”

He hooked an arm with hers and started back toward the city center. “Dinner, dancing, stargazing…And a night spent in our cabin.”

“Our cabin?” She canted her head and smiled.

“Unless you want to sneak around like a squire and a lady. I’m not opposed to a little roleplay.” He sent a puff of air toward her ear, relishing the color that climbed up her neck.