Chapter 54: This Was Supposed To Be A Short Ride

Naya arrived at breakfast to find Kael already waiting, radiating the particular energy of someone who had made several questionable decisions before most people were awake.

“The Moon Court has a free afternoon,” he announced. “I’ve arranged an outing.”

“What have you done?” Ronan asked immediately.

“I’m offended that’s your first question.”

“Where are we going?” Naya asked.

“There’s a pack village a short ride from the capital holding a seasonal celebration. Food, music, games, a riding course.” Kael spread his hands. “Perfectly harmless.”

“We have responsibilities today,” Ronan said.

“You approved this afternoon’s schedule yourself. I checked.”

Ronan turned to Naya, who was already leaning forward with obvious interest.

“Would you like to go?” he asked.

“You asked so nicely,” she said, smiling.

Kael looked thoroughly delighted. “This was already worth it.”

Ronan decided they’d travel without the usual procession, changing into plain riding clothes that did absolutely nothing to disguise who he was.

“You still look like a King,” Naya said.

“I could look ordinary if I tried.”

“You stand like you’re expecting the entire kingdom to salute you.”

Kael, overhearing, immediately suggested Ronan practice looking less intimidating.

“Demonstrate,” Ronan said.

Kael adopted an exaggerated, harmless grin so ridiculous that Naya burst out laughing, and Ronan finally gave up arguing the point entirely.

The village celebration was in full swing by the time they arrived, food stalls and musicians filling the square with noise and color. Naya walked through it freely, unrecognized by most, delighted by the simple pleasure of moving without being treated as a spectacle. Kael knew several villagers by name and introduced Naya without fanfare, letting her speak and laugh with them naturally.

Ronan watched from a short distance as she sampled some local dish and laughed at something a child said to her. A stallholder recognized him quietly, offering a respectful nod before letting the visit remain unannounced.

Later, Ronan appeared at her side holding a small carved trinket she’d admired briefly at a passing stall. He said nothing grand about it, simply pressed it into her hand.

“You noticed,” she said, surprised.

“I listen,” he said, echoing the words from the night before.

Kael, predictably, had signed them up for a paired riding challenge without consulting either of them.

“Did you ask us first?” Ronan said.

“I would have, but it would’ve disappointed everyone involved,” Kael said.

The challenge required them to navigate a short course together, collecting marked ribbons from several stations along the way. They argued briefly over the correct route before Naya spotted a shortcut through a narrow gap between two fences, and Ronan, after a moment’s hesitation, trusted her instinct without question. They finished together, narrowly ahead of another pair, and Kael celebrated as though he’d personally won the entire event.

As the afternoon wore on, Ronan suggested they leave before the crowd grew too large.

“I’d like to stay for the music,” Naya said.

Where this might once have become a standoff, Naya explained her reasoning instead, and Ronan laid out his concern about drawing too much attention as the gathering swelled. They settled on another half hour, staying clear of the busiest section of the square.

Kael watched the entire exchange with exaggerated astonishment. “What?” Naya asked.

“I’m witnessing history,” Kael said. “Two extremely stubborn people reaching an agreement without declaring war on each other.”

“Enjoy the next half hour in silence,” Ronan told him.

“I promise nothing.”

They found a quieter spot overlooking the celebration not long after, the noise and color of the square softened by distance.

“I haven’t enjoyed an afternoon this much in a long time,” Naya admitted.

“I noticed,” Ronan said.

“Do you regret coming?”

“No.” He was quiet for a moment. “I like seeing you happy when you’re not trying to prove anything to anyone.”

“Do you think I always have something to prove?”

“I think you’ve spent much of your life defending yourself,” he said.

Naya grew quiet, struck by how clearly he understood something she hadn’t fully articulated even to herself. She reached for his hand, and he took it without hesitation.

Kael returned shortly after with food, and for once he noticed the shift between them without making a joke of it.

“I need to settle something with the village organizers,” he said, already backing away. “Don’t wait for me.”

Naya watched him go. “He’s occasionally capable of being thoughtful.”

“More often than he lets people see,” Ronan said.

“How long have you known each other?”

Ronan told her a brief story about their younger years, a time when Kael had been one of the only people he could count on without question, and Naya understood, listening, exactly how much trust lived between the two brothers beneath all their teasing.

“I’m glad you have someone like him,” she said.

Ronan squeezed her hand in answer.

They left as the celebration began to wind down, Kael riding ahead of them, declaring loudly that he’d done enough for their marriage to warrant a royal medal. Naya and Ronan fell behind at an easy pace, the road quiet beneath them, their conversation fading into comfortable silence.

“Did you enjoy the day?” Ronan asked eventually.

“I did,” Naya said. “I like who you are when you’re not carrying the whole kingdom on your shoulders.”

“I don’t always know how to put it down.”

“You don’t have to do it alone.”

He turned toward her, something visibly moved behind his expression. They stopped where the road curved and the palace lights came into view below them, scattered gold against the darkening sky.

Ronan reached out and touched her cheek, giving her every chance to pull away.

She didn’t. She leaned into his hand instead and kissed him, the kiss lasting far longer than either of them intended, neither willing to be the one to end it first.

When they finally reached the palace, Ronan asked whether she’d like to spend the rest of the evening with him.

Naya answered by taking his hand and leading him inside.