Love and War

34: Anastasia

Anastasia's POV:
I glanced at Jonah who was looking out the window of the carriage as we approached his palace. He was quiet the whole ride here, his demeanor changed the moment we left the bedroom.

My heart sunk at this but I put a brave face on. He would not see me cry.

Landon sat beside me and next to Jonah was Dimitri.

Serena stayed with her father, I don't know where that leaves her and Landon but I'm sure they'll figure something out.

Jonah's father is in the carriage behind us and nobody except Dimitri questioned why I was coming with them. Jonah didn't respond instead Landon took my hand and said I belonged here with them after everything we'd been through. But I wasn't going to stay.

I wouldn't be able to watch Jonah marry someone else.

Not after everything we've been through together. The nauseating feeling in my stomach hasn't left since the battle yesterday. I've been filling my mind with useless thoughts all day trying to forget about all those dead people and King Santiago.

The carriage stopped and I got off first. The sight of the palace knocked me off of my feet. Jonah stood by my side. "Do you like it?" He asked me. The first thing he said to me all day.

"Yes, it's beautiful."

We all walked inside everyone recognizing me from the war and bowing their heads in respect. I never thought I'd see the day.

At the entrance stood 2 women and a man who smiled at Jonah.

The older woman rushed to his side and hugged him tightly. His mother I assume. She was beautiful and had brown hair and the same gray eyes that Dimitri has.

"I'm so glad you're back."

She walked to Dimitri and hugged him despite him not returning the embrace. She hugged Landon as well. She smiled warmly at the two and turned to me. "You." She said and then took me in her arms. "Are the bravest woman I have ever met. I will forever appreciate you and everything you have done. You will be compensated."

"Your Majesty," I said bowing my head. "There is no need, I did what I did because I felt I had to not for money.

"Oh, no need to bow. The story of what you did killing that ruthless king in front of everyone and risking your life for Princess Serena... it traveled all the way here not to mention that you helped my son throughout all of this. We owe you."

I gave her a tight-lipped smile. "Thank you."

The man spoke up. He had black hair and tan skin. He had monolid and silver eyes. He was taller than Jonah which was difficult since Jonah was 6 feet.

"Back alive and well?" The man tsked and took out some money and handed it to a soldier at his side who looked embarrassed.

"You bet that we'd die?" Jonah asked him.

The man shrugged. "Yes. I... doesn't matter." He said hugging Jonah. Jonah reluctantly hugged him back.

He turned to me and smiled flirtatiously. "I'm Maddox. Jonah's younger, hotter brother."

And I thought Jonah had an ego.

I smiled back and shook his hand. "Anastasia."

"So how'd everything go? Did you kill the king? I wish I was there I would've liked to see that stupid fuck die." He said.

"Yes, we did if we didn't we wouldn't be here idiot," Dimitri said and he started walking into the palace leaving us all standing there. His expression was unreadable and his footsteps were barely audible.