Rickon flew them back to the capital. The journey that had taken nearly a week was over in merely a few hours. The dragon born landed a few miles away from the city gates, so as not to raise suspicion in the city and to be seen by less people. When he changed back to his human form, he gave words to each of his travelling companions.
To Annora, he told her to go back. That she had found something beautiful with Sven and that Declan would be fine on his own.
To Crow, he wrapped his arms around his neck and told him to not doubt himself. If he truly wanted Declan, to tell him that.
And to Declan, he told him he would be a strong king. That he could do so much good in his world, for both of his peoples. And to open his eyes to the love that stood before him.
Then he shifted back into a dragon and took off into the sky.
All three looked between one another, thoroughly confounded. But home awaited them and they set off on their way.
They reached the city by nightfall. Which made it easier to travel through the city streets. The darkness covered the prince and princess from curious eyes of the few sober night wanderers. When they came to the palace gates, Crow stopped. He looked up at the bars of gold keeping even the city elite out of the way of the aristocracy. Declan noticed Crow and turned around, letting Annora continue into their childhood home.
"What's wrong?" he asked Crow. Crow shook his head.
"I can't go in there. I'm glad everything worked out for you," Crow said to him. He took in the sight of Declan's dove grey eyes, the way his wild, curls fell against his forehead and cheekbones, the slight tilt of his head as he watched Crow with concern. Crow thought of Declan's drunken confession of love, closing his eyes to shut out the twinge of hurt that Declan didn't even remember doing such a thing.
"Don't go," Declan begged softly. Crow peeled his eyes open. Declan opened his mouth like he was going to say something but then shut it again.
"Why should I stay?" he sounded too hopeful.
"I- you- your reward is my sister's hand. That's what you want," Declan said and Crow's heart fell. He wanted to hear him say it again. Before he left the prince alone for good, he wanted to hear him say he loved him for real. But he didn't.
"She deserves someone better," Crow said.
"You are better," Declan insisted. Crow didn't answer. A thousand words pressed against his mind and he wanted to say them all but wouldn't dare. Declan was still watching him with his intense grey stare. "Erik."
Crow lifted his gaze to the prince. "Look, Your Highness, I can't stay because I'm in love with you."
Crow stepped forward and cupped Declan's cheek. He savored the feel of the princes skin beneath his. Then Declan did something that surprised him. He turned his head and kissed the center of Crow's palm. Crow shook himself out of his stupor and lightly dragged his hand up and satisfied his urge to tangle his fingers in Declan's hair. The prince leaned into Crow's touch and took a step closer to him.
"Erik I-
Crow cut him off before he could finish. He wanted so badly to hear him finish, to say the words but he would never leave if he did.
"Don't Declan. This wouldn't work. It can't. I just needed you to know that I love you. I don't hate you. Never did. Well, I hated that you were so beautiful and I couldn't stop thinking about you," Declan dropped his hand to slip his hand behind Declan's neck. He closed the distance between them, standing toe to toe. He pressed his lips to Declan's forehead, then drew their foreheads together. "You're going to be a great king, of man and fae."
