Kastali Dun

Claire heard the murmur of voices growing louder with each step through the passage tunnel. They were close. Her nerves ratcheted up, and so did Talon's. She'd been away for so long, even if hadn't been long for her.

Talon was a steady presence at her back as she followed behind Feowen and Tasar. Having him close made her braver, and she felt the same mirrored within him. Which was why she lifted her chin and squared her shoulders when the mouth of the passage widened, letting them out into the massive cave deep beneath the keep.

Feowen came to an abrupt halt, then cupped his hands around his mouth and announced, "Our queen has returned! All hail Queen Claire!"

Silence.

And then—

"Claire!" Shrieks, cries of elation erupted into the massive space, followed by a rush of people surging towards them. A single breath later, she was engulfed, passed around for hug after hug. She had a brief moment with a tearful Desaree, breathing in her familiar scent, before she was passed to Jocelyn, and then her spriten handmaidens and guards. She was vaguely aware of the others engaged in similar greetings and introductions.

Talon's amusement vibrated across their mate bond as he watched how eagerly she was received. "All right, all right. Back up, all of you. Give my mate some room to breathe," he growled at the bodies pressing in around them.

Everyone scampered backwards at their king's order, assembling in a semicircle around the newcomers. Her eyes caught with Desaree's from across the gap. "I missed you so much," she mouthed.

"I missed you too," Des mouthed back, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"My queen?" Feowen looked at her. "Would you like to say a few words? Address your people?"

"I..." She glanced at all the hopeful faces. She recognized so many of them. Even Mikkin and Jamie, and the dwarg and goblin who had traveled with them. There had to be close to a hundred people hiding out in the cave. Hiding from Kane's reach.

The feel of Talon's hand slipping into hers offered her renewed strength. "I'm with you—always."

She cleared her throat and said, "Thank you—all of you—for your loyalty during this dark time. Kane's tyrannic rule cannot be allowed to continue. I am here—we are here—to take back the throne." She shared a glance with Talon and he nodded, encouraging her to continue. "We will not rest until it is in safe hands. I hope you are all ready, because it's time to act."

Cheers and clapping erupted, even several whoops. Not a single person looked hesitant. Not a single one doubted their ability to reclaim what was stolen. Talon gave her hand a quick squeeze and added, "My queen is right. We've got some work ahead of us. Let's get some rest tonight, and in the morning, we begin."

Murmurs met his words as everyone in the crowd began speculating over what would come next.

"You heard your king," Feowen shouted. "Clear out and get some rest."

She threw the prince a look. "Seem's like you've got everything under control."

"Indeed. Now, we've cordoned off a section over there for you, so you have your privacy. Follow me." He set off at a brisk pace, leading them through the cavern. Everywhere she looked were signs of the strength and endurance of their people. Cots and cook fires, makeshift tables, furniture, and more. They'd been living here for months—that much was evident.

She felt a hand in hers and looked over to see Desaree walking beside her. They shared a grin. "I know it's the middle of the night," Des said, "but maybe we can make some time to catch up tomorrow?"

"We will. I promise."

"Good, then I'll see you in the morning." Desaree dropped her hand and turned. "Leah? Would you like to come and bed down with us females?"

"Oh. Yes, that would be fine." Leah had a dazed look on her face, taking everything in.

Claire said, "You are in excellent hands with Desaree, trust me."

"She's right. I've got you." Des linked her arm through Leah's and they wandered off. She watched them go, thinking about how difficult this must be for Desaree, knowing Verath was locked up in the dungeons.

She turned to Talon, keeping pace beside him as they made their way across the cave. "When can we see Reyr, do you think?" She wanted to see the others, too, but it was Reyr who held a special place in her heart. It was Reyr she ached for. He'd been with her since the very beginning and she needed him here now.

"Soon, love. I'll arrange something with Feowen for tomorrow."

Her chest gave a painful squeeze at the thought of him stuck in a cell for months on end. She would be forever grateful to Feowen for all he'd done to make Reyr's life—and the others—easier while imprisoned.

"Here we are." Feowen stopped beside a massive tent that had been erected, the only one of its kind in the cave. "The floor wasn't even so we smoothed it out a bit and set this up, knowing you'd be here soon."

It was smaller than the royal tent she was used to in their war camp, but still, it would offer them the kind of privacy others in the cave didn't have.

"You'll find a surprise waiting inside," Feowen added, piquing her curiosity. "Along with everything else you might need." He hesitated and then, "Luth utah heilah eah saphi aya zanih, Ayas Drollaya."

It is good to have you back, Your Majesty.

He gave a small bow then departed, leaving her and Talon alone. She glanced around, noticing a few of Talon's shields mingling. "They'll find their own beds," Talon said, reading her thoughts. "Don't worry over them. Now, shall we see about this supposed surprise?"

"Do you have any guesses?" But she knew that he didn't. She could see that clearly enough in his mind. So she parted the tent flap and stepped inside, looking around. There was a streak of black, followed by a loud meow. She gasped. "Batty!"

Her little kitten was a kitten no longer. Talon pressed in behind her then made a humming noise. "The cat."

"Look at him," she cooed, bending to lift Batty into her arms. "Look how much he's grown. Yes you have, haven't you? Look how big you are! Such a handsome boy. My goodness." She rubbed her cheek against the top of his head, cuddling him to her.

Talon huffed. "Suppose I must share my bed with the cat now."

"Oh, don't be such a grump. He's such a grump, isn't he? Don't listen to him. He can't wait to cuddles with you. I bet he's going to love it, isn't he? Yes he is. Yes he is!"

Meow.

"I know. I was thinking the exact same thing."

"Gods above," Talon muttered, moving past her. "Are you going to talk to our child like that, too?"

Their child?! Her stomach dipped and she looked up. Their eyes locked, minds linked. He wanted a child—desperately. She could see that plainly now. It wasn't a desire he'd allowed to the forefront of his thoughts before.

Motherhood wasn't something she'd thought about much, or worried over. Pairs struggled to conceive and it could take hundreds of years just for a single child. Which made the likelihood of them conceiving anytime soon extremely slim. Not that she was quite ready yet. With all that was happening, it wasn't safe. They both knew that, but it didn't stop his desire.

"Let's talk about it when everything is sorted," he said, his expression soft and vulnerable. She gave him a nod, holding Batty tight as Talon began shedding his clothes. She'd seen him naked many times now, and yet, she couldn't take her eyes from his shirtless torso, from the bulge of muscles as he moved around the tent. He kept his pants on, removing his socks and boots.

She gave Batty a final kiss before setting him on the floor, moving to do the same. She discarded her boots first, letting her feet sink into the plush rugs. There was a chest with several familiar clothing items, including a nightgown. "They must have snuck into the keep to grab all this stuff for us."

Talon grunted in answer. He was tired, she could see it in the set of his shoulders, the way he moved about. It wasn't the kind of physical tiredness that came from lack of sleep, though there was that, too, but a bone deep weariness that came from too much stress, from the weight of an entire kingdom pressing in on him.

The small tent was just large enough for their belongings, a little table and two chairs, which currently held a pitcher and basin for washing up, and a pallet piled with blankets and furs. She immediately went to the basin and filled it with water, using one of the cloths to wash up before pulling on her nightgown, then she went to the pallet, pulling the covers back and motioning for Talon to join her. He washed up too, then slipped in beside her, groaning. The sound and feel of his pleasure mixed with hers.

"Feels nice after so many days of travel, doesn't it?"

"Yes," he huffed. Unlike her, he'd had to fly for days on end. Days without sleep. They were too exhausted to do more than tangle their limbs together and gaze at one another. A single candle burned on the table, casting a dim yellow light into the tent. Neither of them had the energy to get up and put it out.

"We finally made it back," she whispered, almost surprised that they'd come this far, not that she'd ever doubted it.

"Indeed." He released one of her hands to brush her hair back. "Finally."

A thump sounded, followed by the pressure of a cat as Batty stalked between them before finding a dip in their conjoined bodies planting himself there. Talon emitted a low growl, more dragon than anything. Batty's ears perked.

"Oh, stop," she whispered before giggling. "We can share."

***

It was no surprise that when she woke, the pallet was empty with the exception of Batty. A quick brush of her hand told her he'd vacated a while ago, his body heat long gone. She'd slept like the dead, tangled in his embrace for most of the night. Now, Batty occupied the space on his pillow where his head had been.

She brushed a loving hand over the cat's head, massaging his ears. Batty opened a single eye, then immediately closed it again.

"Good morning, love." Talon's voice was the barest whisper of a caress.

She stretched and yawned, loving the way it felt to stay nestled beneath the blankets. So warm and comfortable. "Good morning," she echoed.

A quick glance into his mind showed that he was already at the cave's command center, a number of guards gathered around. He hadn't wanted to wake her, so in typical Talon fashion, he'd made sure everyone stayed quiet for their queen. As much as she wished she could remain abed all day, there was too much at stake. Queens didn't have the luxury of sleeping in, which only made her huff in annoyance.

"No one is demanding you get up," Talon said, amused. "Let me handle things. You rest."

"Absolutely not."

"Fine, then at least go and spend some time with your friends. Desaree looks a little lost, lurking outside your tent. I'm sure she missed you. I've got things handled here."

Her heart immediately felt lighter at the thought. Giving Batty a quick kiss, she yawned loudly once more, then got up and began shuffling around, cleaning her face and teeth. "I can't wait to have my bathing chamber back," she groused aloud.

"Knock-knock," came a familiar voice. She whirled as Desaree poked her head in, then entered. She wasn't alone. Miera and Selphie followed behind, the latter carrying a tray laden with breakfast, which she set on the small table. "We're here to prepare you for the day."

She eyed each of them crammed into the small space, then sighed. "I really missed you guys." Even though she hadn't missed them for very long, since she'd only regained her memories after reaching Esterpine, she'd felt their absence. Which reminded her—"We have so much catching up to do. You go first. Tell me everything I missed, and then I'll tell you everything that happened to me."

"Why don't you start on your breakfast then," Desaree said, motioning her to one of the two empty chairs. She eagerly sat, eying the fare before her. Porridge with raisons and cinnamon and sugar. "There's not a lot of variety down here."

"No, it's totally fine. I wasn't complaining. I'm starving." She lifted the cup and took a sip of water before mixing everything together and digging in. It was hot and delicious, and that was all that mattered. "How do you even get food down here, anyway?"

"Tess," Desaree said. "Though, I suppose I should start at the beginning, yes?"

Miera and Selphie shuffled around, producing a gown and setting it out before finding places to sit on the end of the pallet.

Desaree filled the small tent with her voice, weaving her words together. Claire already knew a lot of the biggest details, like how Reyr had been disguised as Talon, how they'd hired a woman to become her body-double, and how Kane had taken over months into their charade. Feowen had filled in a lot of the missing pieces when they reunited yesterday.

Still, hearing it from Desaree offered a fresh perspective. Like, how Desareee and a few others had organized a mission into the king's tower to reclaim some of the more important things, and how they'd found Batty hiding away in one of the lower chambers and rescued him. "That's how we managed to spirit away some of your gowns in the chest. We knew that when you returned, you would want a few familiar items from your wardrobe."

"That was...that was really thoughtful, thank you." She refrained from scolding them for taking a risk like that, mostly because she was so relieved to have Batty.

Once Desaree was finished, she recounted her own tale. There was a lot to get through, and by the time she'd finished, it was high time to get dressed and see how things were going in the cave. Her ladies helped her into a royal blue gown, then fixed her hair into a simple coiffure, before placing a crown atop her head.

Scooping up Batty, she stepped from the tent and out into the cave, which was bustling with activity. A few people nearby saw her, paused, then offered respectful bows before continuing on. She studied everything, taking in more than she had last night, now that she wasn't half-asleep.

Her ladies filed out behind her.

"You wouldn't happen to know where Leah is, would you?" She'd been a little disappointed that her friend hadn't appeared with the others. Something was going on with her, and while she'd wanted to give Leah space and time to deal with it, it was high time they confronted whatever it was. This was a discussion that had been brewing for days, perhaps even weeks. Ever since they had reached Esterpine.

With the way things were balanced on the tip of a blade, she didn't want to wait any longer.

Perhaps she should have brought it up the other day, when Leah had discovered the mate bond between herself and Jovari. But it hadn't felt like the right time. Not when Leah had just been smacked in the face with such a big discovery.

"Leah stayed with us last night," Desaree said. "She wanted to help with the food preparation duties this morning. She's probably cleaning up, now."

"I see." It wasn't surprising in the least. Leah was used to caring for people. She'd spent a good chunk of her latter teenage years caring for her father before he'd died. It was likely engrained in her. But it might also have been a good excuse to keep away, and this avoidance needed to end.

Handing Batty off to Selphie to return to the tent, she said, "Take me to her, if you wouldn't mind."

"Of course." Desaree set off, leading the way into the heart of the cavern.

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--Mel