The Queen's Conquer

Chapter 15 : Tranquility

Bàtor • [bah-tore]
To be determined and valiant despite facing dangerous opposition.

🖤

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Returning home is near similar to a crash collision—as if reality has hit my sense of peace too hard once again. Yet, I allow Samuel to hold my hand as we walk through that thick, wooden front door. And I inhale and exhale a shaky breath during those seconds, unsure why the pit in my stomach still hasn't faded while I take in the entirety of the foyer.

"I had someone clean up everything," he says with too much necessary calmness once the door closes behind us before adding, "and thoroughly check the house, too." My eyes trail down to where my shopping bags still lay, their papers and plastics and various boxes mocking me, and I compose myself enough to steady my uneasy nerves. A hand brushes against the back of my arm and invokes me to face Samuel's soft, bright eyes. He takes my forearm and gently pulls me into his embrace—to hold my head against his beating heart. "I don't want you to feel like this house is a threat, Anastasia. I want it to be as much of your home as it is mine."

Without a second thought, I wrap my own arms around his torso, closing my eyes and wishing I could stay in this moment forever. "You're my home," I barely whisper the words into his shoulder. But I know he hears them when his grip tightens as if there's not enough of me to hold anymore.

"And you're mine," he says with such content. A rogue tear streaks its way down my cheek, neither out of joy or sorrow. Maybe from tranquility—this moment of calm in my life's waves. Maybe with relief that we've been through thick and thin together but have yet to break because of it.

We stay like that for a while until Samuel finally suggests we move my bags to somewhere other than the floor. So he helps me carry them up to our room, setting them on the large dresser for tomorrow's ceremony. I still don't allow him to see my dress despite the numerous kisses he offers in exchange—and much more. When he finally realizes I'll never cave, he says he needs to catch up on work in his study along with getting in touch with the pack leaders about the idea of sending their Luna away on a requested visit to Mylithia—and how to do so without writing Phantomridge's name all over the damn message.

While I know the plan to return to the kingdom I've despised my entire life is one of the most idiotic ideas I've ever come up with, our solutions are limited. If we intend on ending this war, we need to rip its heart out from the source—and that starts with figuring out how my father was able to cultivate rogues who are able to scale our walls amidst war.

On top of that, Jace might have answers for me—he might be in contact with the rogue forces or maybe even one of their commanders since the human kingdoms have willingly—peacefully—formed an alliance with them. There's so much I've been longing to ask; there are too many things he doesn't know. But whatever reasons persuaded him to take such brutal steps against the packs...it's reason enough to prevent irreversible bloodshed.

Gaining his trust again will be one thing, though. But coming up with a story to account for my prolonged disappearance will be another—and in order for this to work, it has to be authentic. Has to look and feel authentic, just so the regime is able to approve the request.

It's been months since the Snow Ball—since before Jace's coronation. I can only imagine the amount of stress that sudden change in power forced on his shoulders. But I hope he sees past these volatile times. I hope he only views my request as a brief homecoming celebration—not as some cheating scam.

Just from reading the lines in Samuel's face, I know everything about this puts him on edge. I understand why it does, too. But I've come to terms with the fact that my father is a stubborn bastard. He'll continue to send his warriors until he's successful—either in kidnapping me or burning Phantomridge to the ground, I'll never know. But, it's better for us to act before he commits any more reckless behavior. We just need to play this safely—carefully. One slip up could cost us someone's life—or worse, Maddox's victory.