Mai wouldn't let him abandon the kingdom for her, love or not. He was the heir, and he needed to accept that the position came with certain responsibilities. It had been enough for the king to allow her to live; she couldn't ask for the position as princess as well. She'd slipped out of the palace and gotten her horse, riding carefully back to her home in the woods.
Once home, she began to clean and check the wards, trying everything to distract her from what she was leaving behind. Luka could try to find her, but he never would; the wards would deem her home invisible. Even as the thought crossed her mind, she heard a shout from outside. She frowned, stepping out and stopped in her tracks at the sight of Luka. He was just outside the barrier, looking around with a look of pain and desperation on his face. In his hands, he clutched her note.
"Mai, I know you're here somewhere!" He couldn't see the house, but he'd remembered the path well enough. She watched as he shifted his weight, and she almost ran to him. "I asked you to marry me and you said yes! I don't care about you being a witch, or what my father says! If I can't have you by my side, then I don't want my kingdom!" Her heart lifted a bit against her wishes, and her feet began to carry her towards him. Soon, only the barrier separated them, unseen but felt by her. She looked up at him, conflicted. "Please, let me be your husband! Marry me, make me the happiest man in the kingdom, and I swear I will make it worth your while!" She held back a chuckle; he had already made it worthwhile, simply offering her something no one else had been willing to. She took a deep breath before stepping around him and out of the barrier. He jumped back in surprise, hand now clutching the letter tightly.
"Luka...you need to be sure of this. A kingdom can't be abandoned just for a feeling." He shook his head, and she frowned as he chuckled. "I am serious. You have a duty to your people, and you need to make sure you're giving it up for the right reasons." He pulled her close, dipping his head down to hers to capture her mouth with his own. She hesitated before kissing back, finally pulling away for air.
"No kingdom, no princehood, nothing in this kingdom is worth more than you. I don't want the throne if it means you stay out here, alone and exiled." She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off. "No, I don't want to hear any more of you trying to logic our feelings away. If you didn't love me, you wouldn't have said yes." She gave a small chuckle, relaxing in his arms. "So, here I am. And whether we're in a palace or the forest, I plan on being there with you." Mai leaned up to give him another kiss, pulling him through the barrier so he could see the home. He looked around in surprised, but not fear; something that gave Mai even more hope.
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They waited only a month before having a small wedding with the few friends they'd managed to make with nearby villagers. The ban on magic was lifted, but no word from the king regarding Mai being the princess, and so they stayed in their modest home. Mai felt no need to wear her gloves, instead showing off her abilities as much as possible. And Luka loved watching her use it, the silver glinting and shining in the sun. It wasn't the happily ever after he had imagined; instead, it was so much better.
YOU ARE READING
Paralyzer
Fantasy"You could come back with me." "Be careful who you invite to your home, dear Prince. You may not find it as agreeable as you hope." The strange woman in the wood draws Luka like no one else. He wants nothing more than to be close to her, but she is...
