Chapter 123

　　“True,” he agreed. He tilted his head as he regarded me. “Come back to the stronghold, Liera. Your army will have to camp outside the walls, but we can accommodate some of your number within them. Speak to my father.”

　　“Thank you, Leongrad. I have the Prince Alaren from Reknoc with me if I you can accommodate his entourage?”

　　“Indeed,” Leongrad still frowned slightly, but then his expression lightened, and he smiled at me warming. “It will be like our childhood,” he said. “Perhaps we will find time to walk the beach together.” He bowed, brushing his lips over the back of my hand before remounting so that his party could ride ahead to alert the stronghold and prepare for our arrival.

　　“You may not aspire to the throne, princess,” Daerton murmured, leaning over the wagon so that his words would go unheard by others. “But that one does.”

　　My heart felt heavy. “Of course, he does,” I whispered. “Because Liera does not matter, so much as the crown she might wear.”