"His Majesty is waiting for you in the drawing room, Your Grace," the staffer at the palace door says with a deep bow.

As if my conversation with my father wasn't hard enough, I must now face Micah. I dread the lecture I know is to come and seeing the disappointment on his face. I've let him down too many times in the past months. And even though I still stand firm in my choices, I hate knowing I'm not living up to his hopes for me.

I see myself through the foyer to the room at the back of the palace. Borin and Micah wait for me, sitting side by side in matching wing-backed chairs covered in soft white fabric. The men look regal with stoic expressions, embroidered jackets, and simple crowns on their heads.

I spread the skirt of my dress and curtsy. "Your Majesty and Your Highness."

"Please sit, Raelle," Borin says, gesturing across from them.

Holding my chin high, I lower myself onto the couch and clasp my hands in my lap to hide their trembling.

The silence between us stretches, adding to my uneasy nerves. I don't know where to start. If I apologize, it will be insincere, and I don't care to make up excuses. They know why I left and justifying it as something else will insult their intelligence.

"I need not tell you what you did was terribly dangerous, disrespectful, and put our kingdom at risk; you have heard that before," Micah says.

"I know," I whisper, staring at the tips of my shoes peeking out from under my dress.

"Yet you bravely followed your heart. I am not condoning what you did. It may have been the stupidest thing I've ever known someone to do, but..." I lift my head and meet his gaze. "You brought my best friend home, and for that, I'll be eternally grateful."

"I'm not sorry I did it," I confess.

Micah chuckles. "I would be shocked if you were."

Borin presses his palms together and places the sides of his index fingers to his full lips. "There is a passion in you which is impossible to tame. Trust me, I've tried for years." I lift a shoulder, giving him a coy smile, and he smirks in return. "Now that you know you possess the Eporri, we feel it is crucial you learn to harness the gift. There is significant power found within it."

I knew my father would tell them what I discovered; he has never been one to keep something this important from Micah. I'm grateful the king knows. It opens the door to the one request I have.

"I would like to have it removed. Esmeray knows where it is, so it makes no sense for me to keep it."

Micah exchanges a look with his husband before glaring at me as if I've grown two heads. "The purpose of gifting you with the Eporri wasn't just to hide it. The Statera blessed the Sacred Gift to the rulers of our land. You are our next ruler, and as much as I wish you didn't need power to rule and protect our people, you do. With Kyron, Esmeray's claim to our land has strengthened. He may very well put claim to it as a blood heir. Therefore, the Eporri will stay with you until your rule is complete, Raelle."

"Of course," I say under my breath and sink back into the couch.

"However," Borin says, "It is our understanding that the leaders at Basecamp were training you to do incredible things with your gift. We would like you to continue with them. A disciplined regiment seems to do you good."

My heart rejoices and aches at the thought of returning to Basecamp. Although my friends are there, it would never be the same. I couldn't look at the stables or walk through the hub without a heaviness weighing me down. It would be like tearing open a wound over and over again.

"I don't know if that is the best place for me right now."

Micah leans forward and intertwines his fingers between his knees. "You could always spend time with the sibyls. They are even more knowledgeable about your gift and could teach you how to use it. Either way, it is your choice to make. I'm giving you a year to step away from all this and find who you want to be as the next ruler of Lucent. When you come back, it will be time for us to resume our work together. There will be no more running off to save generals in distress."

I snicker, which brings a smile to his face, and I know all is forgiven. It is as simple as that—a choice to let go and move forward. We live with the choices we have made and don't look back.

"I have a gift for you," Micah says, reaching behind his chair. He reveals a collection of leather-bound books. "It is my journals, which I am sure you are familiar with."

My cheeks heat and I look away from him. Snooping through his personal thoughts was not my proudest moment. Perhaps I could have avoided the end results if I would have trusted him with my plans. Then again, I might not have rescued my father.

Micah stands and continues, "They were always meant for you; I just thought I would be gone from the five kingdoms when you read them. It is every major decision I've made as king—both good and bad—and many of my innermost thoughts until the return of your father." He holds the books out to me. "I hope you find some answers you seek within their pages."

"Thank you," I say, standing and taking the bundle. I set the books on the couch and return my attention to the two men who have loved me like their own daughter. "I wish I had some elegant words to say to you both, but I'm at a loss. All I know is I love you and I won't waste the time you have given me."

Borin stands and hugs me. "May the Statera heal your broken heart and grant you the wisdom to lead our people."

"Thank you," I say, basking in his warmth. "I know I don't always act as if your instruction has impacted me, but it has. There were countless moments when your teachings guided me. I don't think I would be standing here if it weren't for you."

"It is my honor to serve you," Borin says, stepping away and bowing his head.

Micah takes his place and cups my cheeks, tilting my face toward his. "May the Statera protect you in your travels and bring you safely home."

I throw my arms around his neck and grip him to me. "Thank you for letting me do this. I promise to return to you and Lucent and be the ruler you hope I will be."

"You already are, my queen."

*****

I pull Nortus' reins and study the fork in the dirt road. One direction leads to Basecamp, my friends, the familiar. The other way will take me beyond the Pliris border to a neutral land where the people feel like an enigma to me. One place will remind me of lost love and a bond which leaves a gaping hole in my soul. The other will busy me with prophecies and the history of my people. Both hold an equal promise and fear.

Nortus bristles and stomps his hoof.

"I know, but what if I choose the wrong way?"

He kicks his back leg, and the saddlebag resting against his thigh shakes.

Recalling what I packed in the bag, I say, "You really creep me out sometimes."

The horse snorts.

"Okay. Okay. Let's see what great wisdom our king has to bestow upon me." I reach into the saddlebag and pull out a journal. It is new, the cover in pristine condition. I randomly turn to a page in the back and read what Micah wrote.

For the first time since selecting Raelle to be my heir, I question my decision. Today, she returned to us after setting out to rally her father's soldiers on a rescue mission for him. I admire that—her knowledge of what is right...her unwavering convictions. But the moment she walked into the room flanked by her betrothed and my nephew, I knew I had a problem.

Raelle and Leif are best of friends—a healthy match. Two Cyffreds who our people can turn to for guidance. Their romantic interest in each other is lacking, but they are pliable and will find ways to work around this and create their own happiness while serving our kingdom. Together they will show the five kingdoms that those whose powers lie dormant are also a force to be reckoned with.

I was set on edge watching her interact with Kyron. They are drawn to one another the way I am undeniably drawn to Borin. I've tried to ignore the unease their relationship stirs in me, but I fear they are parahs. As much as I love my nephew and believe in him, I don't believe he is strong enough to turn away from the promise of a crown if he should ever discover who he is.

Raelle passionately loves those around her. If she is Kyron's parah and he were to take up his crown, I question if she can stand strong against the bond. She will need guidance beyond what I can offer to fortify her walls when faced with an all-consuming love.

I read the paragraphs again, slam the book shut, and cram it back into the saddlebag. With the answer so clearly written, I spur Nortus forward.

As the crisp wind rushes over me, it catches the tail of my cloak and rustles my hair around my face. I tell myself this will be the last time I cry for what I lost—that I pine for a bond I never truly got to experience in its fullest. With each tear streaking down my face, I let go of who I could have been with the one the Statera gifted me at my side.

I will do what is right for my people, especially those fighting for equality. I break the parah bond, and once I do, I will deliver the Cyffred trapped in Stigian from their queen and future king.

"Please let there be a loophole," I say into the ether.