After the ceremony, there was the party. Tables in the castle's main ballroom were covered in some of the fanciest meals I had ever seen. Roasted chickens and geese, pork and beef. Countless loaves of fresh bread. Bowls of stewed or roasted vegetables and potatoes. An entire table dedicated to seafood—huge fish and many strange animals I didn't recognize. Another table held bowls of fruit, cakes and pies. Many of the guests hovered around the tables, putting food onto the little plates they all carried. Servants rushed around constantly, taking dirty dishes from guests, or more often, from the corners of tables where they had piled up.

A band was playing music, and in the middle of the room the guests were dancing. When they weren't dancing or eating, they stood in smaller groups talking. Jalor and Mayah made their way through the crowds, arm in arm, making sure to talk to as many of the guests as possible. Tandrin and the Queen were doing the same. Tannix was obviously trying to cross the room to get to me and Acen, but he kept being stalled.

Acen and I watched as he worked his way closer. Acen was the only knight really guarding Tannix, everyone else had been dismissed to enjoy the party.

When Tannix finally reached us, he looked relieved. "I was hoping Tandrin would soak up most of this attention," he said lightly. "He used to, whenever we had to attend parties like this. I guess I overlooked the fact that he'd be getting attention as the king this time."

"But he isn't really the king yet, is he?" I asked. "So does he even have the authority to do ceremonies like this?"

Tannix's gaze flickered towards his brother. "It's slightly more complicated than that. He's been Acting King since the war was declared. In any other circumstances he would have been properly crowned ages ago. Part of the reason he did this ceremony was to help legitimize him. Esmeranda insisted he do most of the speaking. This way, if any of the older advisors and nobles who dislike him try to claim something he does is illegitimate, it would also mean Mayah's wedding is illegitimate. Or even Valkiros' crowning. And nobody, no matter how much they dislike Tandrin, would want to discredit either ceremony." He shrugged. "There's a reason I hate politics. Now, Finn, if you could—"

He was interrupted as someone came up behind him and grabbed his hand. "Tannix, you have to come dance with me." Tairia didn't bother with a regular greeting. Up close, her identity didn't stump me the way it had in the church. Her long blue dress, fancy braided hair and jewellery made her look older and very elegant. But up close, she was still Tannix's little sister. Her smile and bright blue eyes made that obvious.

Tannix pulled her into a hug. "I didn't know you were coming!"

"I wasn't. I think mother really didn't like the idea of all three of us being away from home at once. Not that I blame her," Tairia said. "It was really hard waiting for news. But I promised her I'd sail home tomorrow morning, so she let me attend."

"I thought I saw my little sister!" Tandrin joined us dramatically, sweeping Tairia into another hug. He had somehow done the impossible—escaped the crowds of people trying to get a moment of his time. When he put Tairia down, he picked up her hand and raised it to his lips. "My very grown-up little sister."

"Stop," Tairia giggled, pulling her hand from his. "I'm angry at you. You didn't tell me and mother that Esmeranda was expecting twins!"

"I didn't know," Tandrin protested, grinning. "Besides, you can't be angry at me. I'm the king."

"You were my annoying brother before you were king," Tairia pointed out. She whirled to face Tannix again. "Like I said, you need to come dance with me. Because every even remotely eligible woman at this party is going to ask you to dance, and then you won't have time for me. So, you're dancing with me, first."

"I'll dance with you," Tandrin offered.

"After," Tairia said dismissively. "Eligible women aren't going to fight each other for the chance to dance with you, so I'm in no rush. Come on."

"Wait." Tannix looked at me, then Acen. "I'll be back, just... try to enjoy yourselves."

Acen smiled. "We'll be fine. Go ahead."

Tairia's smile grew. "Sir Atricen, we can always count on you to be sensible, can't we? Thank you!" She tugged on Tannix's hand again, this time succeeding in pulling him away from us.

Tandrin watched them go. "Well, any sensible words for me, Acen?"

"I believe that's Eppson's job," Acen said.

Tandrin chuckled. "True enough. Gentlemen." He nodded once before stepping back into the crowd. He was immediately swarmed, but he still managed to get back to the Queen's side.

I leaned against the wall beside Acen and watched Tannix twirl Tairia. As much as I wanted to spend time with him, I didn't really mind losing him to Tairia. It was the other eligible women she had mentioned that worried me. But thinking about it wouldn't help, and there was a surefire way to distract myself.

"Acen, I'm going to get some food. Do you want something?"

His steady gaze left Tannix for a heartbeat to glance towards the feast. "Surprise me."

There were so many options, that was going to be very easy. I skirted around the crowd to get to the tables. My stomach growled the moment the delectable smell hit my nose. Every platter looked delicious, but I had to start somewhere. I picked up a tiny plate and served myself a small piece of a bird I didn't immediately recognize, a thin slice of beef, and an assortment of cooked root vegetables. I stacked a thick piece of fragrant bread on top of my plate and picked up a very tiny fork even though I would have rather just used my hands.

I tucked myself at the foot of a large statue so I was out of the way while I ate. The bread was fluffy, the vegetables were sprinkled with herbs and salt, the beef was juicy, and the bird was spiced perfectly. Once I had cleaned my plate, I investigated the seafood table and picked out a few different types of fish. Each was flaky and buttery and delicious. Next, I piled a plate with pastries. On my fourth trip to the tables, I was interrupted by a hand on my shoulder.

Immediately my flight instincts kicked in, but then I turned to see that it was Joen.

He was staring out at the crowd, both awed and maybe a bit overwhelmed. "Finn, explain to me how a Zian-Alvarian blacksmith ends up at a celebration like this."

"Orphan Zian thief," I pointed out, gesturing at myself, even though he wasn't looking.

Mandell appeared beside me, a tiny wineglass in his huge left hand, his missing fingers clear for all to see. "Zeltan farmer," he said, and he poured the rest of the wine into his mouth.

I slipped away as they continued to discuss the absurdity of their presence at the party, and gathered a plate of food for Acen. On the way, I caught sight of both twins, who were dancing with two pretty young women, and Evrik, who had made his way over to the Navirian guests. I wondered if Kel Valari was one of them.

Acen smiled when I handed him the plate. "I thought you'd been distracted by something shiny and expensive," he teased.

"Everything in this room is shiny and expensive."

"Fair point."

Acen started to eat, and I settled for watching the dancers. As time passed, I made a few more trips to the tables to get more food for myself and Acen. Unfortunately, once I full the food couldn't distract me anymore. With no intention of actually doing it, I started imaging what I could steal. Jewellery was in abundance, but it was a little harder to take. Nobody would notice some missing forks and knives, though, and they would sell well.

Tannix was still dancing, and it was hard not to notice that every time he passed by, he had a different lady in his arms. Every one of them was pretty and rich, talking and laughing with him. Holding him while he lay his hands on their waists. No matter how many times he passed, he never seemed tired. Each lady received the same attention, the same charm. I imagined him greeting them all by name. Imagined the way they felt when he smiled at them.

"They all just hope he'll fall in love and they'll become Lady West Draulin."

Acen looked at me but didn't immediately say anything. He really could be counted on to be sensible. "Yes," he said after a thoughtful moment. "Many of them are hoping that. A lot of these ladies have older brothers or sisters who'll be inheriting whatever their family owns. They want to marry into power, and Tannix is the wealthiest unmarried lord in the kingdom. Of course they're all hoping to win his heart. Honestly, it isn't only the rich ladies. I'm sure a lot of the servants daydream about the same thing."

It wasn't a new idea, it was just one that I tried not to think about. "I don't like it," I said. "It isn't fair that they get to dance with him and I don't."

"Do you want to dance with him?"

I shrugged, even though I knew the answer. "No, but that isn't the point. I know why I have to be a secret. I'm not complaining about that. I'm just upset because I know people are always going to try to take him away from me. And one day, someone might succeed. Not because he'll want to marry them." I was confident in Tannix's feelings for me. "But because he's Lord West Draulin. Duty to the kingdom and the city and all that. Carrying on the Tandran family. There are things he has to do, and I'm in the way." I sighed heavily. "I know that."

"I think you'd be surprised at what he's willing to do for you," Acen said. "Why don't you go onto the balcony for a while? It'll be quieter, and you won't have to watch him dancing. Come on." He didn't wait for an answer, just led me to the left.

I followed. He wasn't taking me to the largest balcony, the party had already spilled out onto it. Instead, he brought me to a set of foggy glass doors that swung open onto a small, private balcony facing the ocean. I stepped out and Acen closed the door behind me.

Immediately, I felt better. I climbed onto the wide, marble balustrade and crossed my legs comfortably. Below me, the city spread out, mirroring the starry sky with candles and lamps. Beyond that was the ocean, with the moon perfectly reflected in the calm water. On the horizon I thought I could make out the thin dark line of New Teltar. I had been away from West Draulin for months, but seeing it was still comforting. It was one of my homes. The shore of the mainland stretched out to the left, dark sand and dirt beside sparkling water. Somewhere, way down that shoreline, was Zianna. My first home.

Home wasn't so much a place, I realized. It was the people. Zianna had the thieves, West Draulin had Tannix and the knights. I pulled my beautiful blue cloak a little more snugly around my neck to ward off the cool ocean breeze, and looked down at the city again. Even East Draulin was a bit of a home. Somewhere in that port, Castin and Kovin were at a tavern. Mayah and Jalor would be here after the rest of us left. Once upon a time, I had lived with every single person who mattered to me. Now, those people were spread between three cities.

When I heard the door open, I assumed it was Acen checking on me and ignored it, still lost in thoughts. Then Tannix's voice broke the serene quiet.

"I know I shouldn't be concerned, but even someone who never falls can slip up." He leaned against the balustrade and looked out at the ocean.

"I thought you were busy dancing." I wasn't proud of the bitterness in my voice.

Tannix drummed his fingers against the marble. "I was. The moment Tandrin whisked Tairia off, the ladies were asking me to dance. It wouldn't have been polite to refuse. I'm sorry. It's just... a duty."

"Everyone gets to be with you but me."

"Nobody gets to be with me but you," Tannix said. "Dancing isn't a marriage proposal, despite what some of them might have thought. Finn?" He tentatively touched my hand. "Can you turn around?"

I turned and shuffled a little closer to the edge of the balustrade, so I could dangle my legs over the side. With a smile, Tannix put a hand on either side of me. "I'm sorry about the women. I got away as soon as I could."

"I know."

"If I wasn't Lord West Draulin I could be the person you deserve. Someone who could touch you in public without having to worry about who might be watching. Someone who could ignore women without any concerns for reputations or etiquette. Imagine if I was one of your thieves."

I almost laughed. "You'd be dead."

He cocked an eyebrow. "What?"

"You're good at what you do. But I don't think you'd be very good at what I do." I leaned forward, surprising him with a quick kiss. "I love that you're Lord West Draulin. Honestly, I do. So much of who you are is because of the life you were born into. Your parents and Tandrin and Tairia and the knights all shaped who you are. I don't care if you're rich enough to buy a whole city, or that you have to go to meetings and play politics and think about your reputation. I love you anyway. You're going to do so much good for the kingdom, because you're noble, and you're always trying to learn more, and you want to do what's right. You couldn't do that if you weren't Lord West Draulin."

"I couldn't do it without you, either." Tannix put his hand on my neck and slipped his fingers under my necklace, pulling it out from under the cloak. My two rings sat on his palm. "Do you ever think about how important these two rings are? The Order ring is why we met, and the Champion ring is because you saved me in Deorun."

"My life was pretty boring before you came along."

"How would you like to add to the collection?"

"You know how I feel about rings, I'd—wait." The question suddenly meant something else. Nervousness fluttered in my stomach. "Wait. Don't say that unless you mean it."

Tannix's smile grew. "I mean it."

It couldn't possibly be that simple. "You're not just feeling bad about the dancing thing?"

"If I was feeling bad about the dancing thing, I wouldn't be prepared with rings," Tannix said simply.

"You can't just... is this allowed? Is it legal?" I didn't know what I was feeling. Shocked and excited, nervous and happy—and fighting for dominance, fear. Fear that he was making a mistake and ruining his reputation.

Tannix shrugged. "I don't care. I'm Lord West Draulin and my brother is King Zianna. I'll change the laws. Say yes, Finagale."

"But... I don't know if... I don't want you to get in trouble." I was annoyed with myself the moment I said it. The concern was real, but I didn't want to let myself get caught up in it. He wasn't worried, I didn't want to be worried. He was Lord West Draulin. He would figure out how to make it work. And besides, I really, really wanted to say yes. Tannix spent so much time doing things for other people, and so did I. We deserved to do something for ourselves. I pushed away the worry and said what I wanted to say.

"Yes," I said. "Yes, on the condition that we do it my way the next time we're in Zianna."

Tannix grinned. "By all means. I'll marry you as many times as you want me to. Get down." He went to knock on the door as I hopped to my feet.

A moment later, Tandrin pushed through the door. "Little brother, I really hope you know what you're doing."

Tannix was in front of me again. He took my hands, his eyes never leaving mine. I was caught in the intensity of his gaze. His beautiful blue eyes. "I know exactly what I'm doing."

"All right, good." Tandrin, always a showman, held up his arms as if there was an audience. "Lord Tandrix West Draulin, do you choose Finagale from Zianna to be your la—lor—"

"Thief," Tannix interrupted. "My thief."

Tandrin started over. "Lord Tandrix West Draulin, do you choose Finagale from Zianna to be your thief for now and forevermore, to spend this life with, until the Goddess welcomes you to her Realm?"

Tannix's gaze didn't waver. "Yes. For now and forevermore."

"Finagale from Zianna, do you choose Lord Tandrix West Draulin to be your lord, for now and forevermore, to spend this life with, until..."

"Volava," I said.

"Until Volava greets you in the next?"

"For now and forevermore," I said. "Yes."

"Exchange your rings."

Tannix pulled two rings from his pocket. They were gold, inscribed with tiny letters. Instead of taking my hand, Tannix slipped my necklace over my head and undid the clasp. My new ring—my wedding ring—slid down to hang beside my other two rings. Tannix reached back to redo the clasp and let the necklace hang over my cloak. I resisted the urge to touch it, because I wanted to give all of my attention to what came next. Mayah and Jalor had both said something after exchanging rings.

"You said that you love that I'm West Draulin." Tannix took my hands again. "I love that you're a thief. You had such a hard childhood, but you came out of it as an incredibly good person. That's a testament to your strength. You're talented and quick and intelligent, and I love everything about you. And I'm grateful beyond words that you're so patient with me, filling in those gaps in the way I see the world. Thank the Goddess you stole that ring and climbed into the Order. I can't imagine my life without you." He pressed the second ring into my hand with a slight grin. "All right, your turn."

I just wanted to skip to the kissing part. But I reined in that desire and reached up to untie his Zianesa amulet. I took my first good look at the ring before slipping it onto the leather cord. The tiny writing was perfect. I gently dropped the ring to hang beside Tannix's amulet, and tied the cord around his neck again. Since I had already given him a little speech about why I loved him, I decided to simply recite the engraving he had chosen for the rings.

"For now and forevermore, for every sunset and every stolen moon."

Tannix smiled. "Do you like it?"

"I love it."

Tandrin clapped his hands together. "All right. I am very pleased to name you lord and... thief, I suppose. Tannix, you may kiss your la—him. Just kiss him."

And so he did.

***

Yes, sadly, this is the end of 'A Country Falls'! 

However, it is not the end of Finn and Tannix's story! Book Four will eventually be in the works!

So, what's next? I think by now you all know that I adore bonus short stories. So keep an eye out for those in the upcoming weeks!

While waiting for Book Four, I suggest you check out any of the other books in this world (if you haven't already!)

 - The Wanderlust Trilogy - An mxm nautical/exploration adventure featuring Tannix's eccentric uncle Captain Tanden and his First Mate (*boyfriend*) Soren! (For no particular reason, I really suggest reading these books before Book Four. Not because Tanden and Soren might make an appearance. I didn't say anything like that!)

- For a Year - A Tannix POV novella taking place between Without a King and An Aimless War.

- In Ink and Wine - A book about Tannix's maternal grandparents, Lady Clarille and Keridel.

- A Guide to Zianna - Fun worldbuilding, illustrations, and mythology bonus content!

As always, thank you to everyone who read, voted and commented on this book, and the whole series! I really appreciate the support! If you're interested in supporting me further, I have a few books self-published and available for purchase (including Without a King). I also have a patreon, with some behind the scenes info, with more fun things to come! Links to find out more are on my profile!