Only You

Release

They made their way up to the palace and met the rest of the group there. Lysandra and Aedion were grinning at Aelin. Lysandra waggling her eyebrows when she had walked in. Aelin had shaken her head at her friend.

Her mother and father were loitering by the bottom of the stairs, her mother holding a small pack in one hand. Aelin managed to tear herself from Rowan's side long enough to go over to them.

"Why do you both look terrified?" She laughed.

Her father had the mind to look confused, her mother merely schooling her face into neutrality. "We're not terrified. Are we, Evalin?"

Her mother shook her head.

"It's a miracle I got any lying skills at all, with you two as parents."

Her mother handed her the pack. "A few bits that you might want whilst you're away this evening," her mother's hand shook a little as she handed it over. "Just some food bits and clothes."

"Thank you." She gave both her parents kisses on their cheeks and made her way to Lysandra and Aedion, Rowan coming to join her.

"You two be safe. And I don't mean safe from monsters— I mean—"

Aedion cut Lysandra off, "they know what you mean Lysandra."

Rowan's lips tugged upwards. "Thank you for the advice, Lysandra."

Aedion clapped Rowan on the back and the two males started to talk amongst themselves, leaving the two women to it.

"You know I've had sex before, right?" Aelin was careful not to speak too loudly in case her parents heard. She was sure they were under no impression of what would go on that evening, but still— she wasn't sure they wanted to hear about their daughter spending the night doing everything other than sleeping.

Lysandra rolled her eyes. "I know you have. But it's been a while and you haven't been taking a tonic for almost four weeks— when I say be careful," she put a hand on her belly, "I mean don't end up like me."

Aelin's eyes widened and then she let out a laugh. "Gods, Lys. I'll be careful."

Aedion and Rowan brought their attention back to Aelin and Lysandra, catching the slightly shocked look on Aelin's face and the laughter coming from Lysandra.

"Do I want to know what she told you?" Rowan muttered in her ear.

She shook her head.

She turned around and away from Lysandra and Aedion to Orlon who was waiting by the doors. Aelin looked to Rowan and the two of them stepped forward towards him.

"Considering everything that has occurred, I didn't think it was necessary to have a feast. So we'll send you on your way now. Dinner has been prepared for you at the cottage and tomorrow someone will come to collect you just after breakfast."

Aelin nodded in understanding. "Thank you, uncle."

"Thank you, your majesty. I appreciate everything you've done for us." Rowan bowed low.

Orlon noted the sincere tone of Rowan's voice and nodded. "I'll expect you to be ready to begin your duties tomorrow. But for tonight, enjoy the peace and quiet— it'll be a while before you have that again."

Did Aelin's family have no filters?

Rowan thanked Orlon again and they stepped back out into the cold air and into the awaiting carriage.

~

The ride was short, the cottage only located about half an hour away. It was tucked away in a little spot of land that had been bought by Orlon at the beginning of his reign. He had wanted it to be a place where people could escape to if palace life was getting to be too much— but somewhere that was close enough to Orynth that they could be back quickly.