“Of course, Your Excellency,” Suresh said, flashing a nervous smile.
“Katsi was inspecting my wound,” Migo said, holding up an arm to show his scratch. “She has some skills with healing that have been invaluable to me in the past.” He turned his head to her, flashing a wink that only she could see, sending a wave of flutters through her stomach.
Sands, what had just happened to her? She couldn’t tear her eyes from Migo.
“I heard of the battle,” Suresh said. “It’s a terrible thing that happened in Wanay. How may I be of assistance?”
“I need someone assigned to keep watch here in the emperor’s room to ensure that communication through these orbs is monitored,” Migo said.
“Yes, I—I will find replacements, Your Excellency.”
“Replacements?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. You killed the two soldiers who were assigned to similar duties previously.”
“Ah,” Migo said, glancing at Katsi. “They were… good soldiers. They had great courage and commendable spirits.” An awkward pause passed before Katsi nodded to Migo. He nodded back, understanding wordlessly. “Also, is there a head servant here in the castle? I have other… arrangements to make.”
“Yes, Your Excellency, I will call for Mistress Neran. We should see about assigning a trusted servant to be on call here in your new quarters.”
“That would be appropriate. Have the forces throughout the city been informed of the change of leadership?”
Suresh stood a little taller, clasping his hands behind his back. “Yes, Your Majesty. The other captains are eager to formally meet you.”
“Send for them as well. Full attire would be most appropriate. That should be it for now. Report to me directly should anything pressing come up.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Suresh bowed before departing, leaving the door open behind him.
It was always so interesting to watch Migo assume such a different role whenever he needed to be a leader. He spoke to others so much differently than he did to her. She almost forgot he was a king or captain when it was just the two of them.
The heat in her face had finally settled a bit by the time she looked back at Migo.
“Do you mean it then?” he said. “A marriage?”
“Absolutely,” Katsi responded without hesitation.
“You realize we are practically children, right?”
“Don’t you princes and princesses get married at all sorts of ages?”
Migo pursed his lips. “I suppose.”
“Besides, with all that we’ve been through, we may as well be twice our age, wouldn’t you say? You’re practically forty.”
Migo gave her a flat stare.
“You’re right. Fifty. Definitely fifty. I’m surprised your hair isn’t gray already with all the stress you’ve been through.”
“Nonsense.” Migo folded his arms. “You’ve restored me more than that.” He smiled.
Katsi stepped back toward him, placing a hand on his side next to the wound. It was so easy to be real with him. To be close. To be natural. Touching him wasn’t a question. Though this time, she truly was just inspecting his wound. The bleeding had stopped. It looked like his strange self-healing capabilities were working wonders once again.
“It’s healing well,” she said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it healed completely within a couple marks.”
He didn’t say a word, but stared down at her with those big eyes of his.
“Sands, Migo, can you just look somewhere else for a minute. I love you, alright. You don’t need to stare.”
Migo shook his head. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.”
“How about sticking your head into a new shirt so that everyone who’s about to show up doesn’t think they’re walking in on something scandalous.”
He breathed a laugh and went to the wardrobe while Katsi looked back down at her arms. The skin had healed over, but she could still feel the flesh festering beneath, though not nearly as painful as it had been before.
Two more people arrived at the same time. “Your Excellency,” a woman said, bowing before taking another step into the room. “I am Mistress Neran. Captain Suresh said you sent for me.”
The other person who’d arrived was a soldier, dressed in full silver-studded armor.
Migo finished pulling his shirt down over his head. “Yes, Mistress Neran. I was hoping you could help me make some preparations for an event.”
“Certainly, Your Excellency. What kind of event?”
“A wedding,” he said, the purest smile splitting his face. That smile was worth all the pain they had endured.
Chapter twenty-six
Alliance
The smell of aged paper and oiled metal rested heavily in the war room of Rikaydian Palace. Hatan stood with arms folded, standing around a large table at the center of the room. He was joined by Falshon, Emil, Rivar, and Penym. The latter dutifully held a piece of parchment, writing charcoal held ready, but she frowned, staring at the table as though she’d just seen something beyond description.
