“Ah.” Her smile returned. “Are you worried about becoming king someday?”
“Not as long as I have you.” He stroked her gently, and she opened her thighs so he could make her squirm.
“You will always have me.” She pressed herself against his hand. Already she was wet and eager to feel him inside her. “I love you, Leo.”
He moved between her thighs as she wrapped her legs around him. “And I will always love you.”
She reached for him as he slid inside.
* * *
An hour later, just after sunrise, they were dressed and ready to leave. Their party was larger now, Luciana noted, since her husband was taking a handful of castle guards with them to protect the deceased prince. A wooden casket was now carrying Tedric’s body, and it would be taken by cart to Ebton Palace. The guards would also serve as witnesses that the Chameleon had killed Tedric in case the king tried to pin the murder on Leo.
As the guards loaded the casket onto the cart, Luciana saw her sister floating toward her with a happy smile on her face. She moved to an isolated spot beside the stables so she could talk to Tatiana unnoticed.
“Are you excited that we’ll be at court in a few hours?” Luciana asked.
Tatiana gave her a sheepish look. “I’m not going.”
“What?”
“Tedric asked me to stay here with him! Can you believe it? A real prince!”
Luciana’s mouth fell open. “You and Tedric are…?”
“We’re just friends for now.” Tatiana clasped her hands together and whirled in a circle. “But I do believe I am falling for him. Do you know what we did last night? We sat on top of the battlements over there and he pointed out all the different stars and constellations. You wouldn’t believe how knowledgeable he is!”
Luciana smiled. “That sounds lovely.”
“And I made him laugh! Especially when I told him his favorite constellation looks like a man with an erection. Tedric said I made him laugh more last night than he’s ever laughed in his entire life.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“And he told me the strangest thing. He thinks we are mistaken to worship either the sun or the moons because who made the sun? Or the moons? He believes there is one Creator who made everything in the Heavens. Plus every living thing on Aerthlan.”
“Oh.” Luciana blinked. “That’s … interesting.”
“I know! Ted—he said I could call him Ted—he’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before. He wanted to read some of his favorite books to me, but he said he wasn’t able to open the books or turn the pages, so I told him I would give it a try. We went to the library, and I did it!”
“That’s amazing.”
“That’s what he said I was. And he’s so intelligent!” Tatiana sighed with a dreamy look on her face. “I never realized before how attractive a smart man is!”
Luciana grinned. “That’s true.”
“I was such a fool.” Tatiana winced. “I used to think it was brute force and aggression that made a man attractive. But that only means he’s an ass. Tedric is a real gentleman. He kissed my hand and said I was so lovely, he was tempted to give up going to the Realm of the Heavens so he could spend eternity with me.”
“Oh, my. That’s beautiful.”
“I know.” Tatiana’s eyes filled with tears. “So as much as I would love to stay with you and be your spy—”
“No, you must stay here. You deserve to have your own life. And your own love.”
A tear rolled down Tatiana’s face. “We’ll come see you at court every now and then. Ted says he would be happy to provide counsel for his cousin if he would accept it.”
“I’m sure Leo would love that.” Luciana blinked away tears. “And I would love to see my sister. You’ve grown into a beautiful woman.”
Tatiana laughed. “Better late than never.”
* * *
On the way to Ebton, Leo surveyed the land surrounding them as he was accustomed to doing as a soldier, but this time, he also observed the sky in case the Chameleon was in eagle form, keeping an eye on them. After discussing the new enemy with Brody, Jensen, and Edmund, they had all reached the same conclusion. The Chameleon had demonstrated too much determination to take over the Eberoni throne. He would not give up easily.
Leo suspected that by now, the Chameleon could have already infiltrated the court at Ebton, perhaps taking the place of a guard like he had at Benwick Castle. Brody claimed that he could pick up his scent. Leo glanced over at the shifter, who was currently in dog form and hitching a ride in the cart. The Chameleon might also walk with a limp, Leo thought, since he had managed to scorch the eagle’s right foot with a bolt of lightning.
As Leo surveyed the sky once more, his thoughts turned to what Luciana had told him about Tedric’s new idea. One Creator who had made everything in the Heavens and on Aerthlan. The theory appealed to Leo’s military-trained sense of logic and organization. There could be only one commander, or your troops would be in chaos. But if this Creator was real, why had he neglected to show himself to the people of Aerthlan? They could certainly use some heavenly guidance. The countries were continuously at war, not only with one another but also within their borders.
Leo looked again at the blue summer sky, and the way the sun sparkled off the Ebe River to his right. To his left, the rolling hills boasted green meadows and stately forests. The world was beautiful, a creative work of art. Perhaps the Creator had made himself known after all.