Chapter 586. This Is Us

One Month Later

Cole pulls our rental car into an inconspicuous apartment building parking lot under the glare of a flickering streetlight. It's bitter cold and starless–a stunning contrast to the last month we spent in Tarsian–specifically Oasia–tucked in a small house in the inner city since the palace was lost almost completely to the massive fire in the aftermath of Cole’s first battle with Richard. 

We haven’t talked about that night very much. The night of my birthday, his rejection, and the official start of the war. It was a month of preparations, politics, and very late nights spent alone while Cole sat in meetings with the newly established Elder Council of Tarsian. 

Three new kings were recently chosen by my aunt, and now… we’re off the hook. 

Just in time for the massive memorial service for my grandparents being held tomorrow at the royal temple. 

Cole stalls by slowly killing the ignition and rifling through the ba