“But the king and queen think you’ll learn a lot from this. I think that’s why you’re doing it.” Kae said.
“I have to learn how to rule. It is the first step to actual ruling.” Loren pouted at Kae’s reflection. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“I’ll be there, princess. At court, on the battlefield, in the market, wherever you would have me. I will be there, at your side. Forever at your side.” The huntress smiled. She chuckled softly, and wrapped an arm around Loren’s waist. “This reminds me of something… ‘I will be always at your side. My princess. My beautiful, shining dragon.’”
“Oh? You’ve never called me that before. You flatterer.” Loren laughed lightly, daintily covering her mouth with her hand. She sighed wistfully, and leaned her head against Kae’s shoulder. “What does it remind you of?”
“I had a dream once. It felt like such a long time ago now, but I remember it clearly. We had spent the night in one of the roadside inns.”
“Really? What did you dream about? Was I in it?”
“Oh yes, you were, Loren.” Kae turned to Loren. She caressed the princess’s cheek, angling her face slightly upwards. The huntress looked into deep, dark eyes, and felt emotion welling in her chest. She held her entire world in her hands. This princess, this woman capable of so much, had chosen her: an orphan with nothing. Kae beamed. “You were very much there.”
“What was your dream about?” The princess melted into Kae’s palm, a peaceful energy settling her earlier nerves. She twined her fingers with Kae’s and kissed her palm. Loren stepped closer to the huntress, gently leaning her head on the Kae’s chest. The huntress’s heart beat at the same rapid pace as her own. “I’m here, and we have some time before court.”
“It was a dream of dragons.”
***
