Page 15 of A Crown of Hopes and Sorrows

He raised his eyebrows. “I am, too. You haven’t seen Temi in action.”

A dove fluttered past us, landing in the limbs of a pear tree and shaking a few leaves loose that tumbled to the ground. “Valerian.”

He slapped my shoulder and gave the muscle a squeeze. “She’ll be fine, Cyn. Honestly. And you don’t have to ask me to look out for her. You already know I will.”

I gripped his fingers. “Thank you.”

He nodded and then clapped me into a hug, and I squeezed him in return. Something about both trips felt like we all stood on the edge of a precipice, looking over, our destiny shrouded in fog below us.

“She’ll be all right,” Valerian said as he leaned back. “I’ll see you again soon.”

“Safe travels.”

He inclined his head and walked over to his horse, swinging up over her back. Epiphany ambled over, and I drew her into my arms, letting the rose-scented sweetness of her linger on me. “Pip, be careful, please.”

She grinned as she pulled away. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll pray for an utterly boring trip for me.” She winked. “I’ll do the same for you.”

I groaned. “Why do I worry that is not what either of us is going to get?”

“Stop being such a pessimist.”

“I’m a realist.”

She squeezed my arms again. “I love you, Cyn. I’ll see you in a couple of months.”

“I love you, too.”

She walked over, last of the three dozen that made up their party to take to her horse. They gave one final wave of their hands before guards opened the palace gates, and the group trotted out.

Father crossed his arms, a sheen glittering over his eyes, reflecting the gray of the world. He and Emrin stood side-by-side as the wind rippled their robes around their feet. I separated from Apollo, who had joined me, kissing his knuckles, and stepped over to them. Father shook his head and brushed a finger under his eye. “It’s hard watching your children grow up.”

I squeezed him into my arms, and he clapped my back before clearing his throat. “And you leave after lunch?”

“Yes.”

“Well…” He sniffed. “I’d better not hold you up from any last-minute preparations. I’ll see you at the meal.”

I nodded. After he had walked away, I turned towards Emrin, an uneasy feeling stringing through me. “Perhaps both of us leaving at the same time was a mistake.”

Emrin’s gaze trailed to Father’s form as it grew smaller, but he shrugged. “It’s fine, Cyn. You know I’ll help in your absence.”

“Yes, of course. I know you will.”

He worried his lip between his teeth. “I am surprised he let Epiphany go, though.” His face shifted toward the gates.

“Yes, me as well. One more thing to worry about.”

He knocked his shoulder against mine. “It’ll be okay. Epiphany has a well-trained guard with her. And your group will, too.”

“Thanks, Em.”

He offered me a serene smile, and it made him look so young. Gods, he was so young. And I was leaving a great deal on his shoulders. But it was for the good of the kingdom. And I had been younger than him when I’d taken over much of the work I did now. In a lot of ways, it had shaped me into who I’d become as a person, for the good and bad. But it also had taken part of my youth from me, forcing me to mature when my friends still spent their afternoons playing sports and sharing jokes while I studied the economic and political realities for our nation. I hated that burden for Emrin.

“See you at lunch?” he asked.

“See you then.”

He nodded and made his way across the lawn.