“My choice has not changed,” Baldur snapped and I was guessing it wouldn’t for his choices were abdicating all claim to his throne by signing that paper and then immediately leaving on his journey to be exiled to a small island somewhere south, far away from here or a trial for impeachment which might end in a lifelong exile not on a sunny isle but in a cold dungeon. “But it is my due and I wish it to be known that you and your heads have acted well beyond the bounds of decency and respect. Dragon fire and trials of treason for heads of Houses? It is ridiculous. These are games of politics as they have been played for centuries.”
“We are moving into a new era,” Aurora announced softly, her eyes on Baldur, “where politics do not include assassinations and clashes of steel but diplomacy. And the heads who remain are enthusiastic about Lunwyn’s bright future.”
Baldur’s eyes narrowed on her and he snapped, “At your command, you will lead the new Lunwyn to misery and my people will revolt.”
“We shall see,” Aurora murmured then her face brightened slightly. “Though, in opening your treasury, abolishing your paper currency and allowing our reunited citizens to trade their paper currency for coin, they seem to be quite content at the moment.”
Baldur’s face got red and I pressed my lips together to stop myself from smiling and looked out the window so I missed Baldur yanking the pen out of Aurora’s hand. I heard the scribble of the squib on parchment and I also heard movement as he stomped out.
I did not look back until Mother spoke.
“Gentlemen, if you would,” she invited and I watched her motion nobly to the oval table in the corner of the room.
The heads moved there with Mother. Frey and Apollo moved to me. When they arrived, they stopped close and Frey’s hand slid to the small of my back.
“Do you wish to stay, my Finnie?” he asked quietly and I scrunched my nose.
“Attend a meeting?” I asked back and he smiled at me before he turned his smile to an openly amused Apollo.
“Not exciting enough for my wee wife,” he muttered to Apollo.
Apollo’s response was an amused, rumbling, “Mm.”
“You two enjoy,” I mumbled.
“Right,” Apollo murmured, looking like he wanted to attend this meeting about as much as I did.
“And your plans?” Frey asked and my eyes went to his.
“Check in on Sky. He’s taking a test, he should be finishing up about now. And Bess is leaving.”
He nodded. “Then you should be away.”
“I should be away,” I agreed.
His eyes warmed, his head dropped and he touched his mouth to mine before again lifting his head.
“I shall see you later,” he muttered, looking over his shoulder at the conference table.
“Okay, honey,” I whispered, lifted my hand touched his chest and his eyes came back to me so I smiled.
His hand tensed at my back then he moved away.
I turned to Apollo and smiled at him too then my smile went wonky as he held my eyes but took hold of my hand and lifted it, knuckles up, to his lips. Then I watched as he brushed them with his lips and dropped our hands but kept firm hold of mine.
“Until we meet again, sweet Finnie,” he whispered gently and I felt my mouth go soft.
“Until we meet again, Apollo,” I whispered back, squeezing his fingers.
He made to let go but I held on tight and moved slightly closer.
Then I said quietly, “A wise woman once told me happiness is a line with contentment at one end and bliss on the other.” I squeezed his fingers again and went on fervently, “I hope you at least find a way to the middle of that line, Apollo.”
His lips tipped up slightly before his head turned and I knew he was looking at Frey when he looked back to me and I saw his remarkable eyes lit with an appealing light before he replied, “I have, my princess, just knowing you have moved up that line to bliss.”
My belly warmed.
“Apollo,” I whispered.