A Crowned King (Complete)

Chapter 19

Mako moved quickly, heading north. At his side was the Princess of this very Nation, Winter Battle, sister of the King. This knowledge was new to him, but something that didn't hinder what he thought of her. She was still a hell of a Ranger and warrior despite being a sister to the most powerful man in Galtea. Gaals seemed to raise more skilled and mighty children than his own Nation of Star. It had to be because of the hardships that they faced growing up, making them into the tough, steadfast men and women they were born to become.

The Prince respected that more than anything. Even though the Gaals were likely on the opposing side of what had happened to his father, he wouldn't hold it against all of them. It hadn't been all of them that had planned and executed the death of his father. No that had belonged to a select few and he wouldn't punish the rest for the actions of a few. If he could avoid a war, he would, but he feared that he would be drawn into the middle of the war and he would be forced to fight. He would be forced to shed blood for his Nation and kill his enemies.

He should be prepared for that, now and in the future. He was to be King and he had little doubt that war would at some time reign during his rule. He would command men and those men would die. He would feel grief for their deaths and wonder what he could have done differently, but in the end he would move on, forgetting their faces, but never their voices; never their stories and memories.

"Are you alright Mako?" Winter's voice tore him from his reverie. He smiled at hearing his name -- his true name -- on her lips. He didn't know why he felt such joy at that, but he did. He looked to her with his reply for her.

"I'm alright. Just thinking about what answers I will find when we reach Snowcore and speak with this Kane Hawk." Mako told her and he was partially telling he truth. He was wondering what answers he would find. He had many questions. Why had his father been killed? Who had been behind it? To what end did his father's death avail his enemy? How long until they acted upon their plans? Did he have time to stall those plans? Would he be a good King? And there were more, so many more that he had yet to even think of yet he was sure.

"I pray to Goran that you find the answers you are looking for." Winter told him in a solemn voice. For a Gaal, there was no better and deeper way for them to wish a person well. Of the Circle, Goran the Warrior was their patron God. Goran was often depicted as a powerful blonde haired man with a long beard, heavy steel armor, and carrying a large double-headed battleaxe. Goran the Warrior was a God of heroes, war, battle, and victory. To this deity, the Gaals prayed.

"Thank you. I really am thankful for you and all your help." Mako told her with a genuine smile on his face. "I couldn't have gotten this far without you."

The Ranger reached out and grabbed hold of his wrist, pulling him to a stop. He looked at her with a frown on his face and his eyes were filled with confusion as he looked at her. She paused for a moment, unsure what to say in that moment. He stared at her, waiting for her to speak. Even as he waited though he was drawn to the fact that she was still touching him and it sent a chill down his spine. A tingle of pleasure went through his body and he felt his cock stiffening in his pants. He shouldn't feel this way. He knew that for a fact. But he couldn't help himself. There was just something about her that not only appealed to him, but drew him in like a man doomed to drown in a shallow pool of water.

Mako looked to her lips thin. They were plush and a deep coral pink. He felt his soul jump at the idea of kissing those lips, and before he could even think about what he was doing, he was leaning forward to kiss her mouth. When she realized this, her golden eyes went wide with surprise, but she didn't try to stop him. If anything, she drew him in closer, her other hand grabbing hold of his armor and she tiltes her head back, giving him easier access to her mouth.