Book 5: Change of Pace

Amval

Ingrid and I walk hand-in-hand along the beach in the moonlight, our heads down on the long trek back to our clothes. She hums to herself, a peaceful smile on her face. Perhaps the first actual peace I’ve ever seen in her expression, at least while she’s awake.

Which is why I will not be saying what I nearly said on the boat. It is enough for me to know that I love her, at least until we prove who has been murdering my family.

Then, we’ll both have to start answering difficult questions about what comes next. Her blank disinterest in leading a kingdom rings in my mind. Lightning Cape is Kaloni’s now, but I don’t see a future where I don’t at least stay as an advisor. I don’t know if Ingrid would be happy as a politician’s wife.

So I won’t tell her now. I can’t. Not after all she’s done for me.

But I can brush a kiss across her cheek and ask if we can meet up more often. When she grins at me, I know I made the right choice.

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