My father’s explanation was meant to reassure me, but I still felt vaguely guilty over Hendon’s death.
I wanted to clear my head. “Where are Farrah and Rhyss? Did they go back to Orchwell?”
“No, they’re still here,” Beyan said. “The queen has been kind enough to offer us hospitality for as long as we wish to stay.”
“It’s the least we could do, for all you’ve done for the kingdom,” my mother said.
“You’ve been more than generous, Your Majesty,” Beyan said.
I looked at Beyan more closely. His everyday clothing had been replaced by something finer. Better fabric, better cut. Even the way he held himself was different than before. In fact, he looked almost like a...
“Lord Beyan and his father, Lord Kye, will be relocating to Calia in the next two weeks, as I understand it,” Mother said. “Until they are settled into their new home, they are welcome to stay here at the palace with us for as long as they need to.”
“Lord Beyan?” I looked from Mother to Beyan incredulously. “What did I miss? And how long have I been out?”
“About four days,” Beyan said. “The palace healer said you’d recover, your body just needed time to repair on its own. We were very worried, though.”
“Four days!”
“Doing that magic — whatever you did — took a lot out of you.”
“No need to be worried, I’m awake now. But maybe I am dreaming... what’s this about you being a lord?”
Beyan smiled sheepishly. “After... everything that happened in the courtyard... we’ve had a lot of time to talk. She was aware of what happened between the king and my father, but she didn’t know how it had affected my family.”
“I fear I have failed Calia greatly,” Mother said. “I suspected Hendon was creating havoc, but I didn’t know the extent of the damage he caused, both in our kingdom and beyond. Now that you’ve uncovered the wrongs he’s created, I can do my best to right them. Restoring Beyan’s family to their former glory was a small step toward that.”
“That’s wonderful news,” I said. “And now you’re a lord?”
“Yes,” Beyan said. He looked, if possible, even more embarrassed. “And my father and I will be living in Calia. After the messenger came back immediately with my father’s answer, saying he was happy to come to Calia, Her Majesty sent a group of servants to pack up our belongings and bring my father here. He should be here soon, I believe later on today.”
“If he’s not too tired, I’d love to see him when arrives,” I said.
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“Please. Don’t you start with the titles, or I swear I’ll never talk to you again. Jennica is just fine for me.”
Beyan laughed. “I’ll call you Jennica if you don’t call me Lord Beyan. I’m still not used to it. When someone says my name, I keep looking around wondering who they’re addressing.”
“It’s a deal, unless I’m mad at you,” I teased. “Then I’m definitely using your title.”
Still laughing, Beyan stood up from my bedside and bowed to my parents. “If you’ll excuse me, Your Majesty, Joichan. And Jennica.” He nodded at me, his eyes twinkling. “I should go find Rhyss and Farrah. They’ll want to know the princess is awake.”
“Wait. Beyan?”
“Yes, Jennica?”
“Where did Rhyss and Farrah get those swords? During the wedding? We had left everything with the guards. Or so I thought, until I saw you still had your dagger.”
Beyan shrugged unapologetically. “I know I didn’t quite follow the rules... but you have to admit, it came in handy.”
“That’s true. But it still doesn’t explain how Farrah and Rhyss happened to be carrying weapons.”
“Apparently we weren’t the only ones exploring the castle,” Beyan said. “After we split up, Rhyss and Farrah snuck into the Great Hall. They saw a bunch of swords hanging on the walls and thought they might be useful. Rhyss was particularly drawn to the one near the throne; he said he had to climb on the throne to get it down.”
I blinked in disbelief. “You mean to tell me that he stole the ceremonial Sword of the First King?”
“He gave it back,” Mother interjected. I could hear the laugh she was trying to hold back. “But as a reward, we promised to have the royal blacksmith create something similar for him.”
“While it was a good idea to have it on hand, only Rhyss would do something like that.” I laughed too, Beyan joining in.
“I’m sure by now Rhyss has also eaten your food stores into oblivion.” Beyan winked at me. “I’ll go check.”
He left. Mother, Joichan, and I watched him go. A smile tugged at the corner of my mother’s mouth. “Not bad. You could do worse.”
“Mother?” I wasn’t sure if I was asking for her approval or chastising her.
“Trust me, a match born of duty isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Better to go with your heart.”
“Thanks, Mother. I think.”
My mother sat on my bed, cupping my face in her hands. “I can tell Hendon’s death weighs on you,” she said gently. “But you saved many more lives by your actions. Remember that, when you start to despair.”
She embraced me. I rested my head on her shoulder, enjoying the safety I felt in her arms.
My mother pulled back, brushing the hair from my face. “Let us talk of happy things. A lot has happened since you’ve been asleep. Now that you’re awake, we can talk about — ”
A light knock on the door interrupted us. “Enter,” I called out.
The attendant poked her head in my room again. “Your lady-in-waiting, Taryn, is here to see you, Your Highness.”
“Send her in.”
Taryn walked into the room, eyes downcast. She curtsied to the queen, then to me. “Your Highness, I came to apologize for my horrible behavior. And to say, I understand if you
