Page 62 of The Stablemaster's Heart

He smiled to himself at the thought.

Mother Joneswashis other half; there was no denying it.

* * *

“That bishop adds bits every year, I swear,” Mother said later, sighing as they walked down to the harbour wall.

“The fair was nice, though.” Vasily had taken off his doublet and slung it over his shoulder and was enjoying the cool breeze through his shirt. He was on his second serving of fried dough, and he was seriously considering a third.

They settled on their spot and watched the boats, enjoying the gentle lapping of the water against the stones and the bright blue of the sky, but Vasily couldn’t help but feel something was afoot. Mother kept glancing over at him as if he wanted to say something, then closing his mouth again. Vasily wondered if he had powdered sugar on his face, but after surreptitiously running a hand over his cheeks, he was confident that wasn’t it.

The next time Mother opened his mouth and hesitated, Vasily reached out and grabbed his hand. “What is it, Bryn?”

It was cheating, he knew, using Mother’s real name—but it was also effective. Mother’s gaze turned soft, and he gave a wry smile. “Ah well, love. There’s no hiding anything from you, is there?” He fished in his pocket and held something out on his palm.

Vasily stared.

Mother ducked his head and ran a hand over the back of his neck. “I don’t know how you do it in Koroslova, but it’s for a handfasting.”

“I know what it is,” Vasily said. He picked up the long strip of soft leather, his heart beating faster.

Mother shifted uncomfortably. “You’re a prince and I’ve no right, but I love you, so this is me, asking.”

Vasily didn’t hesitate. He took Mother’s hand and placed it in his own, wrapped the leather loosely around both their wrists, and leaned in to kiss his future husband’s palm.

“And this is me, saying yes.”

His mouth curved up in a smile that was so wide his cheeks hurt. Mother was his everything, his other half, and he owned Vasily’s heart.

And now? He was offering Vasily everything he never thought he’d have.

A happily ever after, with his very own prince among men.