To Journey Under Sunlight

Chloe-Jane sighed softly as she looked up at the towers of the castle.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Cameren asked from where he was following a few paces behind his sister.

Chloe-Jane smiled and shook her head. “Storm coming with me will be enough. I need you here to watch over the castle.” Then she blinked at the dark-haired figure waving at her in the distance. “Look—it’s Storm!”

Chloe-Jane hoisted her skirts and hurried over to where Storm was waiting next to a horse and carriage.

Storm grinned. “Let me do some introductions. This is Vesper. We’ve known each other for some time now, and she’s the best horse to accompany us on our journey east.” Storm patted the majestic mare next to him for emphasis.

Chloe-Jane rocked excitedly on the balls of her feet. Vesper was a pewter gray with white spots and sported a long mane of black hair. “Oh she’s just beautiful! Can I pet her?”

Storm nodded enthusiastically. “Of course!”

Chloe-Jane couldn’t help but giggle as she hesitantly reached out toward the horse’s nose. Vesper snorted and looked the other way.

Storm stepped forward. He took Chloe-Jane’s hand and guided her to Vesper’s neck. Delighted, Chloe-Jane beamed from ear to ear as the two of them pet the horse together. Chloe-Jane’s heart seemed to flutter, and her breathing quickened as her gaze traveled from the horse to Storm. When they were close like this, she would always feel like she was host to a thousand butterflies. Chloe-Jane found herself drawn to Storm’s gray eyes, and she quickly looked away, flushing.

Chloe-Jane looked to her brother instead. Cameren smiled. “Seeing the two of you getting along like this, I can rest assured.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about,” Storm declared as he left Chloe-Jane with Vesper to walk over to Cameren. “Chloe-Jane is safe in my company.”

Just as the words left his mouth, Chloe-Jane let out a startled sound as Vesper tossed her head about.

Storm winced slightly as he quickly returned to calm the horse.

Cameren gave them a strained smile. “The three of you better set off before I decide it might be for the best to tag along.”

Chloe-Jane nodded and climbed into the carriage. “We’ll be back before you know it.”

Storm took a seat at the front of the carriage, reins in hand. “We’ll be off, then. Until next time, Cameren.”

The carriage jolted into motion as Storm flicked the reins, and Chloe-Jane peeked her head out the window, waving to her brother until he finally vanished into the distance. Finally, Chloe-Jane closed the window and pulled the curtains shut. Then she scooted over to the front of the carriage and opened the window by Storm.

“Thank you for accompanying me east,” Chloe-Jane called over the clattering of the wheels over the ground.

Storm turned to grin at her. “If not me, who else? You said it yourself—I’m the best person for the job.”

Chloe-Jane nodded contently.

Storm continued as he turned back to face the road, “In the past, I went on an adventure with your sisters and Lynden and Edeline. Now you’re finally coming along.”

Chloe-Jane’s smile remained on her face as she rested her head on her arms, watching Storm’s dark hair flutter in the breeze. While Storm wasn’t the only candidate to escort her east, in her heart, he was the one. The young queen and the kingdom’s dashing hero. There wasn’t a more perfect pair.

Chloe-Jane spent most of the day looking out the window, watching the scenery change around them. Storm took the scenic route, avoiding the heart of the capital city. It had been a long time since Chloe-Jane had last left the castle, and she marveled at the forests and lakes they passed along the way. As the kingdom’s young queen, her days and nights were spent working without rest. Presiding over her court, she constantly had to maintain the persona of a calm and collected ruler. Only in front of her family and friends could she relax. The years had gone by just like that. Looking back, Chloe-Jane still wondered where those days had gone. Ever since she had made the decision to take up the crown, she knew that was the end of a normal life. But when had her life ever been normal?

When night fell, Storm helped Chloe-Jane set up blankets inside the carriage. Storm slept outside. The night was warm and fireflies glowed. After a while of laying in silence, Chloe-Jane sat up and pushed open the door to the carriage. Pulling her shawl around her shoulders, she stepped barefoot onto the grass.

She smiled as she hoisted her skirts and took another step. Out of the castle, there was no one to make sure that she abided by the strict rules that made up her life. Chloe-Jane closed her eyes, relishing the feeling of the night breeze on her face when suddenly—squelch!

She let out a shrill cry. She had walked right into a pile of horse dung.

Storm was there in an instant, scooping Chloe-Jane into the air as if she weighed nothing more than a feather. “What are you doing walking in the dark barefoot?” he scolded.

Chloe-Jane sniffled softly as she wrapped her arms tightly around Storm’s shoulders. “That horse has it out for me.”

Storm just sighed. “I’ll take you to the stream to clean up.”

The night was quiet as Storm carried her across the fields of grass. Chloe-Jane clung to him, trying and failing to hide her smile. Even though she had just stepped in horse dung, that initial shock had faded and was replaced with a giddy feeling. Maybe she had the horse to thank, after all.

When they reached the river bank, Storm carefully set Chloe-Jane down. Chloe-Jane looked at him expectantly as he straightened.

Storm blinked when he realized Chloe-Jane was watching him. “What is it?”

Chloe-Jane knitted her fingers together. “You’re not going to help me?”

Storm blinked again, confused. “I already helped you, didn’t I?”

Chloe-Jane opened her mouth but then closed it again. She sighed instead as that fluttery feeling faded. “Never mind.”

Storm remained in the area, pacing around as Chloe-Jane washed her foot in the water. When she was done, she rose to her feet. Storm turned around and knelt down. “Climb on. I’ll carry you back.”

Chloe-Jane climbed onto Storm’s back. He easily hoisted her up, and Chloe-Jane let her arms dangle over his shoulders. Her skirts fluttered around them as Storm carried her back to the carriage.

The carriage door was already open, and Storm set Chloe-Jane down inside. “Uh,” Storm said after a moment, “you can let go of me now.”

Chloe-Jane flushed. “Oh.”

Storm looked at her for a moment. The flickering lantern light illuminated his face and reflected in his eyes. “If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t think you’re the queen.”

Chloe-Jane raised a brow. “And what does that mean?”

Storm shrugged. “You just seem like a normal girl.”

Chloe-Jane dropped her gaze. “I can be normal around you. I can be normal around my family. But the kingdom can’t have a normal girl as their ruler. They need a queen. It’s my responsibility.”

Storm was quiet for a moment before he spoke again. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up. Try to get some sleep. Would you like me to extinguish the lanterns outside the carriage?”

This time, Chloe-Jane shook her head. “No, actually. I sleep better with the light.”

“Alright. I’ll be outside if you need anything.”

“Goodnight,” Chloe-Jane said quietly.

Storm smiled. “Goodnight.” He shut the door of the carriage and vanished into the night.

Chloe-Jane sat there for a moment before laying down and pulling her blankets over herself. The light from the lanterns flickered lazily across her vision, and she shut her eyes. She needed the light. Otherwise, she would be reminded of the dark stone corridors and that stench of blood and despair that filled them. At the time, even though she would squeeze her eyes shut and clamp her hands over her ears, she could still hear the screams and sickening sound of blades through flesh. Now, when it was completely dark, she would find herself back in that lightless place, unable to wake. But with a lantern beside her, she hadn’t dreamt of that place in a while.

Chloe-Jane curled into a ball. On this journey east, she could forget about all her troubles for the time being. The prince had invited her to talk. It would be a meeting without being a big spectacle—hence the need to only bring one trusted guard. This wouldn’t be her first meeting with the prince; Chloe-Jane had met him a year ago when the royal family from one of the eastern kingdoms had come to visit the castle for a discussion about trade. Chloe-Jane felt comfortable making this trip east, especially since the prince reminded her of her brother in a way. Furthermore, he was ten years older than her and already married. During their time at the castle, Chloe-Jane had been delighted to have the chance to entertain his two young children.

Before long, Chloe-Jane was waking up to the gentle swaying of the carriage and the sound of the wheels over the road.

For the majority of the morning, Chloe-Jane sat by the window, listening to Storm talk animatedly about people and places she didn’t know. A faint smile played on her face as she rested her head on her hand.

When it was time for lunch, Storm stopped the carriage and went to revive the bread they had packed for the journey. This time, Chloe-Jane sat on the floor of the carriage with her feet dangling out the door. She watched Storm as he practiced with his sword, attacking and defending against invisible enemies. Chloe-Jane looked past him to the turrets of the castle in the distance. She raised a hand in front of her, completely blocking it from vision. After a moment, she slowly opened her hand. There was the castle in the palm of her hand. She smiled wryly.

Everything she knew was in the capital city. Her parents, her siblings. Her pride and pain. Well, that wasn’t completely true; Corinna was wandering the world. Sometimes Chloe-Jane found herself envying her sister, but at the same time, she didn’t have the right to envy her. She owed it to her.

Chloe-Jane raised her eyes to the sky as she took a breath. Even though the weather was mild and the sky blue, there were dark clouds on the horizon.

Only a few hours had passed before it began to drizzle, and by the time night fell, heavy rain was crashing down. Storm had stopped the carriage by a thicket of trees where Vesper was now taking shelter. Chloe-Jane and Storm stayed in the carriage to wait out the rain and now lay side by side.

Chloe-Jane had curled onto her side with her back to Storm. She was sure at this distance he would certainly notice her flushed face, and her heart was fluttering in her chest. Chloe-Jane wasn’t sure when she had started feeling this way around Storm. When they had first met, she would go out of her way to annoy him, but maybe they had both matured.

“Storm,” Chloe-Jane finally said, mustering the courage to roll around to face him.

Storm blinked as he looked at her. His gray eyes flickered in the light of the lantern between them. “What is it?”

“You really don’t feel anything laying here next to me?”

Storm blinked again. “Feel what? What am I supposed to feel?”

Chloe-Jane searched his bewildered face. “I don’t know. Nothing at all?”

Storm still looked confused. “Nothing. Oh, I know some people don’t like sharing their bed with others. I get it, I like my own space too, but with all the rain, there’s nowhere else I can go right now.”

Chloe-Jane sighed and continued hesitantly. “That’s not it. You’ve never felt anything at all sleeping besides anyone?”

Storm shook his head. “When I travel with other adventurers, we usually all end up crammed into one sleeping space. I guess it feels crowded?”

Chloe-Jane was starting to regret saying anything at all. “No, not like that either.”

Storm looked even more confused. “Then like what?”

Chloe-Jane’s heart was still beating rapidly in her chest, but now she wasn’t sure if it was because of their closeness or because she was starting to get annoyed.

Suddenly, Storm put a hand to Chloe-Jane’s forehead. “You’re warm! Do you have a fever?”

Chloe-Jane knocked his hand away. “I’m fine,” she said shortly. “I’m tired. Go to sleep.”

“O-oh, alright.”

Chloe-Jane rolled over and squeezed her eyes shut. For a while, she just lay there listening to the pattering of the rain and Storm’s snores. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep.

✦ ✦ ✦

Chloe-Jane was crouching in the corner of the room. Her breathing was unsteady as she clamped her hands over her ears. She didn’t want to hear. She didn’t want to see. Her clothes were already drenched in a cold sweat, and her hands felt clammy.

Someone was screaming from behind her, and another person was laughing. Chloe-Jane shivered violently. She wouldn’t look. If that crazy man noticed her, would he carve her up next? She let out a quiet noise as her legs gave out, and she toppled onto the stone floor. Her hands slipped over the slick surface. The coppery scent of blood shot up her nose and she gagged. It was only then that she realized the screams and laughter had stopped.

Chloe-Jane’s heart thundered in her chest as she nervously squinted through the dark. And then a pair of crazed green eyes were in front of her.

Chloe-Jane jolted awake, trembling all over. She scanned the carriage to find that the lantern had gone out. Her sudden movement caused Storm to stir, and he sat up as well, rubbing sleep from his eyes. When he saw Chloe-Jane’s expression, Storm quickly reached for the lantern and relit it. Light flooded the carriage, and some of Chloe-Jane’s anxieties ebbed away.

“I’m really, really sorry,” Storm apologized. “I must have knocked over the lantern without realizing it.”

Chloe-Jane just hugged her knees to her chest, still shaking.

Storm’s voice softened. “You had a nightmare?”

“I dreamed of my time at the castle.” Chloe-Jane’s voice was no more than a whisper.

“You’ve left,” Storm said quietly. “You’re here with me now. I’ll protect you.”

Chloe-Jane just let out a soft sob. Why did Storm have to one minute be so clueless and the next say something like this?

Storm looked panicked. “How about this? Ask me something. Anything. Don’t keep thinking about your dream.”

Chloe-Jane sniffed. “Anything?”

Storm nodded.

“Alright, then. How about you tell me about when you were younger? Do you have any happy memories you still remember today?”

Storm furrowed his brow thoughtfully. “There is one memory from my childhood. I don’t know if it’s exactly a happy one, but it’s one I haven’t told anyone before. For a while, I wasn’t sure of it. But I’m sure of it now.”

Chloe-Jane blinked, suddenly very interested. “What is it?”

Storm was frowning slightly now. “When I was younger, I think I actually met Phina.”

“What?”

“I was in denial myself for a while,” Storm admitted, reaching up to itch a spot on the side of his nose. “But her bright hair isn’t something I’ll forget. When I met her and Lynden on the road to the capital city, I knew there was something familiar about her.”

Chloe-Jane just stared. “You met Phina before? Where? How?”

Storm dropped his gaze. “It was back when my uncle and I were living in the eastern kingdoms. I was out playing by myself when I encountered Phina. She got worried when she saw how I was covered in bruises and offered to walk me home.”

“Bruises? What happened to you?”

“My classmates beat me up again. They used to make fun of me for not having any parents. I would tell them I had an uncle and that he was a dragon, but of course no one believed me. If I fought back, it wouldn’t have been a fair fight, and my uncle warned me about the consequences about accidentally injuring any of them, so I would let them have their way.”

Chloe-Jane looked at him in disbelief. “And your uncle just let that happen to you? He didn’t homeschool you?”

Storm ran a hand through his dark hair. “He did homeschool me. But I knew he wanted me to interact with other humans. Don’t worry though, we eventually left that school. Anyways, I remember talking to Phina. I can’t remember what we talked about, but I remember her.” Storm’s smile turned sad. “I miss her.”

Chloe-Jane was quiet for a moment. “Do you blame me for what ended up happening?”

Storm shook his head. “I don’t blame you. If she wanted to, Phina could have easily escaped. Her ending was her own wish as well. She’s finally at peace.” Then Storm smiled again. “I told you something I’ve never let others know before. How about you tell me something about you?”

Chloe-Jane nodded as she brushed her hair away from her face. Maybe it was because it was the middle of the night and the two of them were in a carriage in the middle of nowhere that Chloe-Jane drew upon what she had buried in her heart. She hugged her knees tightly. “Actually, I’ve never liked myself. That’s the truth I’ve never told anyone before.”

Storm blinked. Then his expression melted into a small smile. “But I like you.”

Chloe-Jane raised her head to look at him for a moment before she shook her head, burying her face in her hands again. “When I was younger, I knew I was different. It was because of my wish to change myself that I fell so strongly into the grasp of the Immortal One. There were so many things about my life I wanted to change. He had the power to grant my wishes. But it was all my wishful thinking. You wouldn’t understand.”

Storm was quiet for a moment as the rain pattered down softly on the roof of the carriage. “You’re right. I probably don’t understand. There’s a lot of things I don’t and can’t understand. What comes easy to others I struggle with. What they find difficult I find easy. I used to wonder why, and in turn, my uncle used to tell me I don’t need to change myself. He told me I just hadn’t met the people who would accept me as I am yet.”

Chloe-Jane sniffed again. “And have you found them now?”

Storm nodded. “You’re one of them.”

Chloe-Jane slowly lowered her hands to look at him. “But do you like the way you are now? If you could choose, would you change?”

Storm furrowed his brow, deep in thought as he looked down at himself. “I think I like my current self.” Then he grinned. “Everyone says I’m strong and dashing and good with a sword. Why would I change?” Chloe-Jane let out a laugh at that, and Storm’s smile grew at the sound. “But if I really had a choice, I don’t think I would want to be a human. It’s really tiring, you know? I could spend the entire day running, but these legs can’t even cover the distance of the capital city. If I had a choice, I’d rather be a dragon like my uncle with a pair of wings that could take me wherever I wanted to go.”

Chloe-Jane sighed. “It is tiring being a human.”

“But it’s not all that bad either,” Storm added. “As a dragon, I don’t think I’d be able to go out and buy sweets. I’d scare everyone away.”

Chloe-Jane really did laugh at that. “Look at you. All you know is eating.” Then she let out a yawn.

Storm laughed. “Let’s try to go back to sleep. Morning is still hours off.”

Chloe-Jane nodded as she lay back down and pulled her blankets around her body. “Thank you, Storm.”

Storm’s voice was surprised. “What did I do?”

Instead of responding, Chloe-Jane just smiled to herself and closed her eyes.

✦ ✦ ✦

When morning came, the rain had stopped and the world was damp. After having breakfast, Storm hopped out of the carriage to take the reins again. They continued on their way for another few weeks and were soon crossing the border into the eastern kingdoms.

Chloe-Jane enjoyed the quiet days of sitting in the carriage watching the world go by. She enjoyed Storm’s company, and on more than one occasion caught herself wondering if this was the kind of life she might have had if she wasn’t queen.

The carriage was rolling along a deserted path, when suddenly, they stopped. Chloe-Jane peeked her head out the window to find Storm surveying the road ahead with narrowed eyes. Chloe-Jane followed his gaze, trying to see what he was looking at. “Is there something ahead?”

Storm slid down from his seat and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. “I thought I saw something move. Stay in the carriage. I’ll check it out.”

Just as Storm took a step forward, a cry rang through the silence. A moment later, a group of men in dark clothing charged out of the bushes. They were all armed with wicked looking blades, and Chloe-Jane quickly ducked down beneath the window as Storm engaged them in battle. The sounds of metal against metal echoed, and Chloe-Jane’s heart raced as she hid there, trembling. Mustering her courage, Chloe-Jane slowly rose up to look back out the window.

Storm was still fighting off his attackers, but now there was a second young man fighting at his side. Chloe-Jane blinked as the two of them cleared off the rest of the men. When the last of the men had fled, cursing, Chloe-Jane clambered out of the carriage and hurried over to Storm.

She looked him up and down for injuries. To her relief, she didn’t find any on him. Then she looked to the other young man. “Thank you for helping us. But I’m sorry, who are you?”

Storm turned to the young man as well. “Yeah, who are you?”

The young man sheathed his pair of twin blades. His black hair was thin and messily tied back. He smiled, and on closer inspection, Chloe-Jane found that it was razored short on the sides. “Don’t worry, you’re safe now. The name’s Ellery. Ellery the Dragonhearted.”

Storm just stared at him blankly. “Really? But my name is the Dragonhearted.”

Ellery’s eyes widened as if seeing Storm clearly for the first time. “No way. You’re Storm the Dragonhearted?”

Storm nodded coolly, though Chloe-Jane noticed his hand hadn’t left his sword. “Why did you help us?”

Ellery looked slightly dazed. “I’m the local hero around here. I spent the past few days chasing that group of bandits up this way, but I didn’t expect them to notice you and plan an ambush.” Then he turned to Storm. There was a light in his eyes now. “I—I’ve admired you for years. I can’t believe I’m actually meeting you.”

Storm gave Ellery an awkward smile. “So, you’re really called Ellery the Dragonhearted?”

Ellery shook his head in a sheepish sort of way. “Well, no, that’s just what I call myself. Everyone else around here calls me Ellery the Quickblade, which doesn’t sound quite as awe inspiring.”

Chloe-Jane shook her head. “I still think it sounds very heroic.”

A small smile crossed Ellery’s lips. “And who might you be to be traveling with Storm the Dragonhearted?”

Chloe-Jane opened her mouth, but Storm beat her to it. “She’s my sister,” he said quickly.

Ellery blinked, dumbfounded as he looked at the two of them.

“Hi, I’m Chloe-Jane,” Chloe-Jane said weakly. Once the words had left her mouth, she panicked, almost clapping her hands over her mouth. Storm had caught her off guard, and she had been careless to let her real name slip out . . .

Ellery paused for a moment, brow furrowed. “Chloe-Jane? That name sounds a little familiar. Are you someone special too?”

“No,” Chloe-Jane and Storm said at the same time.

Ellery gave them an odd look, but Storm motioned for Chloe-Jane to return to the carriage. “The road’s clear now. Let’s keep moving.”

“Wait,” Ellery said worriedly. “There could still be bandits ahead. I haven’t cleared out those roads yet, and I think it’s safe to say I know the geography around here better than the two of you do. I can’t let anything happen to Storm the Dragonhearted and his sister. If you don’t mind, you can stop and rest temporarily at my guild outpost. It’s only a couple of hours from here. I’ll lead a team to secure the roads, and you should be able to leave again before it gets dark.”

Chloe-Jane exchanged a glance with Storm. Storm just nodded. “He has a point. We’ll rest at the outpost, then continue on our way.”

Ellery smiled. “I’ll show you the way. I still can’t believe I’ve met Storm the Dragonhearted. If you don’t mind me asking, where are you going anyway?”

“We’re going to the largest of the eastern kingdoms,” Chloe-Jane explained.

Ellery’s smile softened. “I’m glad I ran into the two of you. On these dangerous roads, another pair of blades could be the difference between life and death.”

Chloe-Jane and Storm shared another look before Chloe-Jane nodded. “Okay.”

Chloe-Jane returned to the carriage, and Storm took up the reins. The carriage rolled into motion again, and Ellery walked alongside it, guiding them away from the main road.

Chloe-Jane opened the window to look down at Ellery. “So you’re a local here in the eastern kingdoms?”

Ellery nodded. “I’ve been here all my life.”

“How long have you been using blades?” Chloe-Jane decided to ask.

“Since I could walk.”

“Does your family also do the same line of work?”

Ellery laughed and shook his head. “Oh no, I would certainly hope not. My siblings all have normal jobs.”

“What about your parents?” Chloe-Jane inquired curiously.

“I don’t have parents,” Ellery replied matter-of-factly. “I raised my siblings by myself. As I got older, I began to hear the stories about Storm the Dragonhearted. He was an orphan too. I wanted to be just like him, but I couldn’t go far and make a name for myself like he did. I still had my siblings to take care of. I still can’t go far. I have the people to take care of.”

“Oh.” Chloe-Jane fell silent, unsure if she should keep asking.

Ellery smiled. “It’s alright. How about you? Do you have parents? Do they approve of you journeying all the way out here by yourself?”

Chloe-Jane let out a laugh. “I’m not by myself. I’m traveling with Storm, and you’re here now too.”

Soon, the wooden and stone buildings of a small town began to appear behind the trees lining the road.

“Ellery’s back!” a voice called.

“Ellery’s back!” voice chorused.

Chloe-Jane blinked as a group of children hurried from the river banks, running barefoot over the grass toward the carriage.

Ellery laughed as the children threw themselves at him in a very excited dogpile. Now on the ground, Ellery lifted the children off him. One of them had snatched his blades, and Ellery plucked them from the little boy’s hands. “Those aren’t toys. Don’t hurt yourself, you hear me?”

“What do you have for us this time, Ellery?” a little girl asked as Ellery climbed to his feet.

Ellery grinned. “Take a look. What do I have here?”

The children looked on with wide eyes as Ellery held up a cloth pouch. The children squealed in delight as Ellery opened the pouch to show them the contents. “Candy!”

“One at a time now,” Ellery laughed as he held the bag up in the air, away from the children’s hands. “There’s enough for everyone.”

Once all the children had gotten a piece, they turned and ran back to the river bank.

A young woman on the other side of the river was waving, and Ellery waved back. Chloe-Jane looked over at her. Even though she stood in the distance, it was apparent she was still a teenager.

“My sister,” Ellery explained when Chloe-Jane turned to him. “She leads the children in after school activities.”

Storm walked over to tap Ellery on the shoulder. “Do you have any more candy?”

Ellery blinked. “What? Yes. Would you like a piece?” He opened the bag again for Storm to take a piece.

Storm smiled ear to ear. “Thanks. The outpost is close, right? Let’s rest.”

As he walked back to the horse, Ellery lowered his voice, still stunned. “It was that easy to win the favor of Storm the Dragonhearted?”

Chloe-Jane smiled, nodding. “You’ll find he’s not a very complicated person.”

Ellery laughed. “You and Storm aren’t really siblings, are you? I’m having a very hard time believing it.”

Chloe-Jane winced. “You’re right. We’re not siblings. We’re just . . . friends.”

Ellery didn’t push it after that, and instead lead the way into the town and to the guild outpost. The outpost was what appeared to have been a shop turned into a space hosting wooden tables, weaponry, and travel supplies. “This is where my guild regroups,” Ellery explained. “I’m sorry, it’s not much, but we’re the only one’s protecting the villages in the area. Since they’re small and far apart, it makes travelers and merchants going back and forth the perfect target for bandits.”

“How many people are in your guild?” Storm asked curiously.

“There’s ten now, including myself,” Ellery answered. “They’re still in training, though,” he added. “Please, make yourselves at home. Meal time is in a few hours. I’d be honored for you to dine with us and meet the others in the guild.”

Chloe-Jane spent the next hour walking through the small town with Storm. It was a nice change of pace from sitting in the carriage, and she was very appreciative of the chance to stretch her legs.

Later in the day, the two of them were called back to Ellery’s guild, where they found Ellery himself in the kitchen in the back. There were two other young men with him now; one was chopping vegetables, and the other was stirring a large metal pot.

Ellery was slicing a block of meat, and Chloe-Jane clapped at his swift and clean knife work. At the sound, Ellery turned and grinned. “Let me introduce you to Storm the Dragonhearted and Chloe-Jane.”

The two other young men quickly put their own tools aside to hurry over to Storm. “You’re Storm?” one asked. Both young men had light in their eyes as they looked at him in awe. “We’ve admired you for years!”

“Ellery, of course, is still your biggest fan,” the second young man added with a grin. “We all know him as Ellery the Quickblade, but he secretly still wants to be Ellery the Dragonhearted.”

Ellery shot him a half embarrassed, half warning look at that.

“Dragonhearted is a cool title, isn’t it?” Storm said enthusiastically.

Chloe-Jane let out a laugh at their interaction. Storm had warmed up a lot to Ellery since he had given him the candy.

“We’re almost done making dinner,” Ellery said, changing the topic. “Please have a seat at the tables before there aren’t any seats left. We couldn’t make our guests help us serve.”

Chloe-Jane blinked. “How many people are you cooking for?”

As if answering her question, the sound of high pitched voices filled the room beyond the kitchen, and Chloe-Jane stuck her head out to watch the same group of children they had seen by the river hurrying to fill the empty seats.

“These children’s parents work long hours,” one of the young men explained when he caught Chloe-Jane looking. “They don’t have time to cook regular meals for their children, so the guild takes it upon ourselves to help.”

Chloe-Jane smiled. “That’s really kind of all of you.”

“Have a seat,” the other young man piped up. “If you don’t go now, there really won’t be any chairs left.”

“It’s alright,” Chloe-Jane said quickly. “I can help plate and serve the food. Another set of hands will get these meals to the children faster.”

“I’ll help too,” Storm offered.

The young men quickly made room for Chloe-Jane and Storm at their stations. Chloe-Jane ended up standing next to Ellery, and she skillfully pulled her hair back and rolled up her sleeves before cleaning her hands in the basin of water. She was tasked with filling the wooden bowls with stew from the pot, and she carefully ladled each bowl evenly.

“You’ve done this sort of work a lot?” Ellery asked conversationally as finished chopping the last of the meat.

“Not exactly,” Chloe-Jane answered with a faint smile. She filled another bowl and set it on a tray. Once the tray was full, Storm took it from her and left the kitchen to help distribute them.

“What are you making here?” Chloe-Jane asked, glancing over at the meat Ellery had set aside.

Ellery smiled. “Later tonight, I’ll salt it and hang it up. We’ll have smoked meat to eat in the next few weeks. It’s too bad you won’t be here to try it.”

“You know how to use a blade to defend from bandits, and you also can use a blade to cook,” Chloe-Jane said, giggling. “Storm could take a leaf from your book.”

Ellery blinked. “He can’t cook?”

Chloe-Jane tried and failed to hold in her laughter. “He can’t make anything other than porridge. But he can make many different kinds of porridge. Any porridge you can think of, he can make it.”

Soon, Chloe-Jane and Ellery were making their way out of the kitchen to join the children at the tables.

“Ellery!” one of the children called when he spotted him. “I finished my bowl! Are there seconds?”

Ellery walked over to ruffle the child’s hair before taking the bowl from him. “Of course there’s seconds for everyone. I’ll be right back.”

Chloe-Jane found an empty seat between two little girls, and she cupped the sides of her bowl with her hands. The heat seeped through the wood. But before Chloe-Jane could lift the spoon to her mouth, one of the little girls tugged at her sleeve. “Can we get seconds too?”

Chloe-Jane smiled as she set her spoon back down. “Yes. Wait for me.” As the children finished their bowls, Chloe-Jane found herself making trip after trip again back to the kitchen. Storm, Ellery, and the other kitchen staff were going back and forth as well, and by the time the children were done and ran outside to play, they were left to clear the bowls.

“I’m sorry,” Ellery said with a wince as he helped Chloe-Jane stack the bowls. “You’re a guest here. I can’t believe I made Storm the Dragonhearted work as a kitchen helper for a day. You shouldn’t have to do this either.”

“You’re always this busy?” Chloe-Jane asked instead.

Ellery nodded. “If we don’t take care of these children, who else will?”

Once all the bowls were collected, Chloe-Jane watched Ellery walk over to the metal pot. He sighed.

“Have you eaten yet?” Chloe-Jane asked softly.

Ellery was smiling as he shook his head, but his eyes looked tired. “I was too busy again. Sometimes I’m lucky and get to take a few bites.”

Storm appeared in the doorway. “Ellery, I saved you a bowl.”

Some of the light returned to Ellery’s eyes. “Thank you.”

Soon, the three of them were seated at one of the tables in the now empty room. The stew was not warm anymore, but it was still quite flavorful. Chloe-Jane’s gaze drifted to Storm, watching him devour his bowl. When he was done, he set his spoon down, satisfied. He turned to Chloe-Jane next. “When you’re done eating, we should continue on our way.”

“You can travel assured,” Ellery told them. “Earlier, one of my other guild members just returned, telling me the roads are safe.”

When Chloe-Jane finished her bowl, she and Storm bid their farewells. The sun had set by now, and the chatter of the children faded as they fell asleep. Now back at the carriage, Storm opened the door for her, and Chloe-Jane climbed inside. Storm shut the door and hopped to the front of the carriage to take up the reins.

Chloe-Jane was quiet before she opened the window at the front of the carriage to talk to Storm. “Were you able to eat your fill at dinner tonight?”

“I only had one bowl,” Storm said thoughtfully. “If it was just me, I could probably eat two or three, but the children are the priority.”

“You even saved a bowl for Ellery.”

“Of course! He helped us out with the bandits, then offered for us to stay for dinner. I had to make sure there was something left for him.”

Chloe-Jane was quiet again before she spoke up again. “What do you think of Ellery?”

“He’d make a great traveling partner,” Storm replied confidently. “I saw his skill with blades when he was fighting the bandits. If he didn’t have a town to help support, he could go out and make a name for himself in the world. It’s thanks to him, though, that now I don’t have to work so hard for the next few days. I have him and his guild to thank for securing the roads.”

“What if . . .” Chloe-Jane started slowly. “What if we invited Ellery to travel with us? At least to escort us to our destination?”

“Sure,” Storm said. “If you want to, I don’t mind.”

Chloe-Jane nodded quickly. “I’ll go back and ask him now!” She pushed open the door to the carriage and hurried back the way toward the buildings. Her curls bounced behind her as she ran through the warm night.

When she finally arrived back at the guild, she stepped inside, still slightly out of breath. She found Ellery sitting alone in the kitchens washing the bowls. He looked up in surprise. “Chloe-Jane?”

“Ellery . . .” Chloe-Jane started, “Would it be too much trouble to ask you to travel with us? At least to escort us to our destination.”

Ellery’s tired expression melted into a smile. “I would be honored.”

✦ ✦ ✦

Once the moon was high in the night sky, Storm stopped the carriage off to the side of the road. Ellery collected wood for a fire, and soon the three of them were sitting around the flickering flames. Chloe-Jane held her hands out to warm them. Even though the temperature during the day had been comfortable, now with the prolonged absence of the sun, she could feel the bite of the cold. Chloe-Jane shivered slightly, wrapping her shawl tighter around herself. She was about to stand to get a warmer blanket, but Ellery was there. He took off his battered cloak and placed it over Chloe-Jane’s shoulders. Chloe-Jane smiled gratefully.

Next, Ellery sat back down and looked to Storm expectantly. “It’s an honor to finally be traveling with you. I’ve heard all your stories, but can I have the honor of you telling one yourself?”

Storm’s face split into a grin. “Of course! How about I share the story of the time I helped defend a village from wolves?”

Ellery nodded eagerly.

Storm leaned in closer, adjusting his sitting position. “It was a cold and snowy day in the dead of winter . . .”

Chloe-Jane wasn’t sure when she had fallen asleep, but she awoke in the carriage. Someone had carefully tucked the blankets around her, and a lantern flickered next to her pillow. She sat up to look out the window. Storm and Ellery were both asleep a short distance away from the carriage, and Chloe-Jane smiled to herself as she lay back down.

✦ ✦ ✦

The next time Chloe-Jane awoke, sunlight was spilling into the carriage through the gaps in the curtains. She brushed the curtains aside and looked out. Storm was awake now, and when he noticed her looking, he grinned and waved her over.

Chloe-Jane hopped out of the carriage, where Storm handed her a slice of bread and a skewer of what looked like wild mushrooms. Chloe-Jane blinked as she took the skewer from him. The mushrooms were fragrant and appeared to have been roasted over a fire.

“Where did these come from?” Chloe-Jane asked with wide eyes. After weeks of eating bread, the mushrooms smelled delicious. Chloe-Jane eagerly took a bite. They melted in her mouth, and she devoured the rest of them.

Storm gestured with his thumb in the direction of the trees. “It’s Ellery. He said that the forests along the path are full of wild mushrooms and offered to collect some for breakfast. I’m roasting the rest of them over there.”

Chloe-Jane followed his gaze to where a small fire was roasting another skewer of mushrooms.

“Can I have another?” Chloe-Jane asked hopefully.

“Help yourself.”

Mindful of her skirts, Chloe-Jane hurried over to the fire and plopped down in front of it.

She was happily munching on another skewer when Ellery emerged from the trees. He was carrying a basket full of wild mushrooms, and a smile crossed his face when he saw her. Chloe-Jane quickly fixed her posture.

Ellery crouched down by the fire to start making skewers out of them. “If you like them, eat more. No need to hold back.”

Chloe-Jane just smiled sheepishly. “I’ve actually already eaten quite a lot. You should eat too. You just have to help protect us. All of this isn’t necessary. You’re working so hard already. I’ll go back to the carriage.”

“Stay, won’t you?” Storm said as he sat down by the fire as well. “Let me show you how I learned to roast mushrooms.”

Chloe-Jane nodded and brushed her hands on her skirts. She turned to Ellery as Storm held the skewers over the flames. “Where did you learn about mushrooms? That’s impressive.”

Ellery gave her a wry smile. “Growing up, I had to figure it out the hard way. For the longest time, I was the only one providing for my siblings. Even though I was barely literate, I had and relied on an old book on which plants are edible and which ones are poisonous, but more often than not, I’d be figuring out the hard way which were which. I spent most of my childhood hunting and collecting food. The rare time I had to myself was spent practicing with my blades.”

Storm looked to Ellery, his face paling. “You could have lost your life trying wild mushrooms like that. My uncle showed me how to find food for myself when I was young as well, but he always made sure I knew what I was doing.”

Ellery’s smile turned sad. “I didn’t have a choice. You know, as a teen, I wished I could be like you. I still do. But I couldn’t leave. I can’t leave. Even now, I’m still stuck here guarding these desolate roads.”

“Don’t say that about yourself,” Chloe-Jane cut in. “You're a rising hero in the eastern kingdoms. There’s nothing shameful in defending those in need from bandits.”

Ellery nodded. “You’re right. Plus getting the chance to meet Storm the Dragonhearted and journey with you is like a dream. My dream has been fulfilled.”

✦ ✦ ✦

Later that week, Chloe-Jane was looking out the open carriage window, watching the swaying grass and flowers blooming on the sides of the road. She was smiling faintly, relishing the breeze on her face, when the carriage rolled to a stop.

Chloe-Jane blinked as Storm appeared beneath the window a few moments later. “Let’s take a break here.”

Ellery offered to stay by the carriage while Chloe-Jane and Storm went on a walk. There was a skip in Chloe-Jane’s step as she watched Storm out of the corner of her eye. His hand was only an arms’ length away from hers.

Feeling the heat rising in her face, Chloe-Jane knelt down to look at the colorful wildflowers instead. She busied herself with picking a bouquet, but the silver-gray hues among the flowers reminded her of Storm again.

“Chloe-Jane.” It was Storm. “Will you be fine by yourself here for a few minutes? I need to go relieve myself.”

Chloe-Jane continued to pick the flowers. “I’ll be fine.” She heard Storm’s steps retreat, and when she turned around again, she was alone in the field of flowers. Chloe-Jane let out a soft sigh. She lifted one of the flowers from her bouquet, holding it to her nose. Its scent was light and floral.

Chloe-Jane rose to her feet to start making her way back to the carriage, but she must have been crouching so long that one of her ankles gave out. Chloe-Jane let out a startled yelp as she fell backward. Her flowers spilled out of her arms as she hit the grass hard. She winced, slowly sitting up. Her ankle felt tender.

Suddenly, there was a flash of motion, and then a dark-haired figure was kneeling by her side. “Are you alright?”

“Ellery,” Chloe-Jane said softly. She shook her head as she smiled. “I’m fine. I think I might have sprained my ankle, that’s all.”

Ellery scanned the swaying fields. “Where’s Storm?”

“He’ll be back shortly.”

Ellery sighed, turning around so his back was to Chloe-Jane. “You shouldn’t put weight on your ankle for now. Climb on. I’ll carry you back to the carriage.”

Chloe-Jane hesitantly climbed onto Ellery’s back. Once she was on, Ellery lifted her up. Chloe-Jane held on to him silently as the two of them made their way through the grass.

Storm appeared shortly, making his way toward them. He blinked when he noticed Chloe-Jane on Ellery’s back. “Did something happen?”

“Chloe-Jane sprained her ankle,” Ellery told him. “Where were you, Storm?”

“I don’t need to be watching over her all the time,” Storm said, a little uncomfortable. “Besides, it’s just a sprain, right?”

Chloe-Jane winced as she nodded. “It’s really just a sprain. It’s not Storm’s fault. I was the one who wasn’t careful.”

Storm shuffled his feet. “Shall we continue on our way, then?”

✦ ✦ ✦

As the sun fell, a town emerged in the distance.

“Let’s stop there for a real meal,” Ellery called. “It will be my treat.”

Before long, Chloe-Jane was sitting across from Storm and Ellery in the back of a tavern. The atmosphere was lively, and Chloe-Jane was already warm in the face from the half-empty tankard of beer in front of her. The drink was stronger and sharper than any of the wines she had sampled at the castle, but there was something addictive about the way it seemed to spread through her.

Ellery took a sip from his own tankard as he looked at Chloe-Jane in amusement. “I didn’t think you’d be such a drinker.”

Chloe-Jane giggled as she shook her head. “My sister doesn’t allow me to drink. Now that I’m out, she can’t stop me. No one else can stop me either.” Chloe-Jane took another drink. The fiery liquid burned at her throat, and she scrunched her nose.

Ellery turned to Storm next. “Are you sure you won’t let me treat you to a drink?”

Storm smiled awkwardly as he shook his head. “I don’t like how it tastes.”

Chloe-Jane giggled again. “More for me, then!”

Ellery booked two rooms for them to spend the night. He and Storm would be in one, while Chloe-Jane got the other to herself. It was very late into the night now, and the tavern was clearing out. Ellery had passed out, and Chloe-Jane watched as Storm half-dragged, half-carried him up the stairs. When he returned, he looked down at Chloe-Jane. “You should get some rest too.”

Chloe-Jane shook her head. The world was a blur of color and butterflies around her. “I still want to drink.”

Storm sighed. “They’re closing up down here. Let’s get you upstairs, then I’ll bring you another tankard, how does that sound?”

Chloe-Jane nodded drunkenly and held out her arms. Storm easily scooped her up and carried her upstairs. Chloe-Jane staggered around the inn room by herself as she waited for Storm to return, lighting the lamps before finally tripping over her skirts and gracefully falling over onto the floor. Chloe-Jane sat up and brushed her hair away from her face as the door opened.

Storm quietly shut the door behind him before walking over to take a seat next to Chloe-Jane. He held out a tankard of beer, which Chloe-Jane joyfully accepted from him. She drank deeply, then blinked when she realized Storm was still there. “I’ll be fine by myself. You should go get some rest too.”

Storm just sighed. “I don’t drink, but I can accompany you while you do. Who else will make sure you won’t get into trouble? Ellery was right. I should have been paying you more attention.”

Chloe-Jane looked up at the ceiling before smiling. “Makes sense.”

She continued to drink until the tankard was empty. Then Chloe-Jane pushed it off to the side and buried her face in her hands.

Storm’s voice was alarmed. “Are you alright?”

Chloe-Jane opened her eyes to look at him, but his figure was wavering. She blinked, trying to focus as she reached out for him. Chloe-Jane found his hand and smiled as she laced her fingers through his.

Storm stiffened. “Chloe-Jane?”

Chloe-Jane learned closer until the two of them were practically face to face. Chloe-Jane’s heart beat quickly as her gaze drifted from Storm’s eyes to his lips.

Then Chloe-Jane blinked as Storm hastily rose to his feet, shaking off her hand. “I’m going to bed.”

Him leaving the room was the last thing she remembered before she passed out.

✦ ✦ ✦

Chloe-Jane awoke to a knocking on the door. She winced as the sound cut through her pounding headache. “Coming.”

Peeling herself off the floor, Chloe-Jane staggered over to the door and pulled it open. She was stiff from spending the night on the hard wood, and she winced as her ankle throbbed painfully.

Storm stood in the doorway. “How are you feeling?”

Chloe-Jane tried to smile but found herself wincing again. “Not great.” She took a step forward, but then paused as Storm took a step back. “I—I’m really sorry about last night.”

Storm averted his gaze. “I know you were drunk. It’s just . . . I’m not used to being close like that.”

“I’m sorry,” Chloe-Jane apologized again.

“Anyways,” Storm changed the topic when the awkwardness between them grew, “I brought this for you.” He held out a bowl of soup. “The people downstairs said it’s supposed to help with the hangover.”

Chloe-Jane quietly accepted it from him.

“It works quite well,” a voice said from the hallway. Both Storm and Chloe-Jane turned toward the sound. Ellery was standing a short distance away, casually leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Ellery pushed off the wall to join the two of them at the door. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. What happened last night after I passed out?”

“Nothing,” Storm said shortly. “Nothing happened.”

Chloe-Jane hung her head, unable to meet either of their gazes. “I’m going to freshen up,” She announced quickly before shutting the door. She sunk to the floor, staring blankly into space with the bowl of soup in her hands. It was warm like Storm’s hand had been. And like Storm, even though he was within her grasp, in the end, he wasn’t meant to be hers.

After a while, there was another soft knock at the door.

“Who is it?” Chloe-Jane asked gloomily. She was still sitting on the floor, staring into space.

“Ellery,” Ellery’s voice called from the other side of the wood.

Chloe-Jane sighed. “Come in. The door’s unlocked.”

There was a soft sound as Ellery opened the door. “Storm asked me to check on you and see if you’re ready to continue the journey.”

Chloe-Jane took a deep breath and brushed her hair back from her face. That was right. She couldn’t let her personal affairs continue to delay their journey. “I’m ready. Just give me a few minutes to make myself look more presentable.”

Ellery lingered in the doorway for a moment. “I know this probably isn’t my place to ask, but how about I give you a hand? I’ve helped fix the hair of the village children before.”

“Okay,” Chloe-Jane said softly.

Ellery walked over to stand behind her. Chloe-Jane gazed out the window as Ellery carefully braided back her hair. His hands were cautious, making sure to avoid her bare skin. Chloe-Jane let out a breath as she watched her reflection. She could see Ellery. Their eyes met in the glass, and Ellery dropped his gaze. Chloe-Jane looked away as well. Ellery’s presence was comforting, but her heart still wished the one behind her was Storm.

✦ ✦ ✦

Chloe-Jane’s mood didn’t improve as she sat in the carriage, watching the sky outside the window. Storm seemed more distant than usual as well, and Chloe-Jane felt fortunate that Ellery was there to talk to and dispel some of the awkwardness between them.

That afternoon when Storm was animatedly telling the two of them about a cool insect he had seen earlier that morning, Chloe-Jane could tell his constant chatter was starting to get on Ellery’s nerve.

“Is he always like this?” Ellery asked in an undertone while they sat around a fire roasting wild mushrooms for supper. “It feels surreal. I’m finally traveling alongside my hero, and he just left the two of us to catch bugs.”

Chloe-Jane shrugged lightly. “I don’t see anything wrong with being as free spirited as him. Besides, if I didn’t have to worry about getting my dress dirty, I’d go bug hunting with him too.”

Ellery sighed as he handed a skewer to Chloe-Jane. “He’s lucky. He has everything. But at the same time, he takes everything for granted.”

Chloe-Jane opened her mouth, but then, hurried footsteps sounded. Storm appeared with a wide grin on his face. “Look what I have here!”

Chloe-Jane rose to her feet as Storm uncupped his hands. In the dwindling twilight, fireflies floated up from his hands. They sparkled and danced magically. Chloe-Jane turned on the spot, watching them lazily fly up and up.

Chloe-Jane laughed as she twirled. Her gaze met Storms, and he smiled back.

✦ ✦ ✦

Over the next few days, Chloe-Jane found herself struggling with if she should directly ask Storm what he thought of her. One afternoon, she finally mustered the courage.

They were taking another break from traveling, and Storm was practicing with his sword off to the side of the road. Chloe-Jane watched him for a while before finally walking toward him. Storm sheathed his sword. He smiled. Chloe-Jane’s heart skipped a beat.

“Could I have a word?” Chloe-Jane asked softly.

Storm nodded, a little confused.

Chloe-Jane walked in silence, leading Storm away from the path and toward the growth of wildflowers. The wind was gentle through the grass, and Chloe-Jane took a breath as she turned to face him. She looked up at him, searching his face. “Do you know I have feelings for you?”

Storm averted his gaze. “I know.”

“Then why?” Chloe-Jane asked desperately. “Then why do you keep avoiding me whenever I try to get closer to you?”

Storm was quiet for a long moment, and the seconds seemed to stretch out infinitely. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I can tell it from the way you look at me. I don’t want to disappoint you. But I can tell what you want is something I can’t give. You’re one of my closest friends. You’re like a sister to me. I know what romance is. It’s when both people are willing. But that’s something I’ve never felt before with anyone. If I agree, it will only hurt you more.”

Chloe-Jane opened her mouth but then closed it again when no sound came out. Storm didn’t want her after all.

“It’s because I care about you that I don’t want to attach yourself to me,” Storm said quietly. “I do love you. But it’s in the same way I love my uncle and Lynden and your family. I thought if I just ignored you, you would give up and it wouldn’t have to come to this. I should have been more straightforward from the start. I just don’t think romance is for me.”

Chloe-Jane was surprised by how steady her own voice was. “Okay.”

Storm offered her another half awkward half apologetic smile before turning and starting back toward the carriage. Chloe-Jane continued to stand there. Her lip trembled, and she quickly blinked back her tears. She had gotten her answer. But maybe it would have been better if she never asked.

✦ ✦ ✦

A few days later, the three of them stopped at another inn. That night, after dinner, Chloe-Jane quietly bid her companions goodnight before retiring to her room. She sat by the window, undoing her hair until her curls fell in a cascade down her back. During dinner, she had overheard a group of travelers talking about her. Well, rather the queen of the western kingdom. They had nothing nice to say about her or her skin, and Storm had heatedly went to tell them off.

Even though her hair was free now, Chloe-Jane continued to fiddle with it as she stared at her own reflection in the glass.

A single tear slid down the side of her face.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Chloe-Jane hastily dabbed at her face with her sleeve before hurrying over to pull it open. She was half hoping it was Storm, but instead, Ellery stood in the doorway. He offered her a small smile. “I brought you something that might cheer you up.”

Chloe-Jane invited him into the room. “What is it?”

Ellery held out a glass of wine.

Chloe-Jane took the glass from him and set it aside. “Thank you, but I won’t be drinking tonight. I think I’ve learned my lesson.”

Ellery’s voice softened. “What happened between you and Storm that night?”

Chloe-Jane leaned against the wall, and Ellery took a seat a short distance away. “I grabbed his hand and got close to him. He felt uncomfortable and left. The other day, I finally told Storm about my feelings. I know I have no right to be mad at him, but it still hurts that he told me he can’t reciprocate.”

Ellery looked conflicted. “But you’re still thinking about him even now.”

Chloe-Jane sighed. “I can’t help myself. Maybe I always knew deep down that it was never meant to work between us. But even knowing that, I can’t control my heart. I’ll just have to work harder to come to terms with it.” She paused to take a breath before continuing, “In truth, this is my first time falling in love. I always hoped I would, but I never thought it would be him. He’s a hero, and I’m . . .” She took another breath. “I had a rough childhood. I’ve done some things I don’t know whether I should be proud of or regret. Sometimes I even feel that I’m a burden. I wonder sometimes why did I have to be born? But I’m starting to think that maybe I was born for a reason—born for a purpose—but whoever decided my existence never anticipated my path would have Storm on it.”

“You and I are the same in this way,” Ellery said sadly. He looked up at the ceiling. “The road to where we are today wasn’t easy. But we survived. There’s nothing wrong with wanting the same things others do. We survived. We’re worthy.”

Chloe-Jane nodded at his words. “You’re right. I’m long grown from the scared little girl I use to be. I got my answer. Now I have to be strong and accept it.”

Ellery turned back to Chloe-Jane. His voice was soft. “Storm might not be willing, but I am.”

Chloe-Jane was quiet for a moment before she walked over, sitting down before slowly reaching out to touch the side of Ellery’s face. His dark eyes held her gaze. There was something sad and genuine about them that made Chloe-Jane’s heart hurt even more. She was lost in the turbulent sea of her mind, and right now, Ellery was her sole anchor. “But you’re not him,” Chloe-Jane whispered.

Ellery reached out with a hand to cup the side of Chloe-Jane’s face. Even though his hands were rough with calluses, his touch was gentle. “I’m not, and I don’t have to be.”

Chloe-Jane hesitated. She felt safe in his presence. It was the warmth she didn’t know she was missing. “I know. I just want to feel it. Just for tonight. Nothing more.”

Ellery nodded, and a flicker of understanding passed through his eyes. “Nothing more.”

“Ellery . . .” Chloe-Jane leaned forward, closing the distance between them to brush her lips against his. Ellery met her in a kiss, letting her set the pace. As their breathing changed, Chloe-Jane let her eyes flutter shut. For a night, she would let herself feel what it was like to be wanted.

✦ ✦ ✦

Chloe-Jane woke the following morning, squinting in the sunlight streaming in through the window. The room was empty, and someone had carefully tucked the blankets around her. Chloe-Jane’s eyes fell on where her clothes lay discarded on the floor, the only reminder of the previous night.

She silently dressed and had just finished braiding back her hair when there was a knock on the door. “It’s Ellery,” Ellery’s voice called.

Chloe-Jane walked over to open it.

Ellery smiled faintly. “How are you this morning?”

Chloe-Jane leaned against the door frame. “Rested.” Then she dropped her gaze to her feet. “About last night . . .” She raised her head again. “It doesn’t have to mean anything, just like we said.”

Ellery’s face flushed slightly as he looked at her, and he averted his gaze. “Right. It doesn’t. Storm’s waiting downstairs. It’s time for us to continue on our way.”

Chloe-Jane nodded silently. She glanced back one last time at the untouched glass of wine on the table before stepping into the hallway.

For the next few days, Chloe-Jane stared absently out the carriage window. Ellery walked beside the carriage, but Chloe-Jane’s eyes were always drawn to Storm. The more she tried to push him out of her mind, the more she found herself thinking about him.

One day, while having breakfast off to the side of the road, Ellery walked over to take a seat next to Chloe-Jane. “You’re still thinking about him?”

Chloe-Jane sighed as she clenched her hands together in her skirts. “I can’t help it. It might take me months to get over it. It might take me years. Maybe I’ll never get over it. But that’s my problem.”

“I see.” Ellery sighed as well. “He’s lucky. And he doesn’t even realize it.”

Suddenly, the sound of horses galloping shook the ground, and Chloe-Jane let out a scream as an arrow whistled through the air. She threw her hands up as it shot directly at her, but Ellery was there in an instant to deflect it with his sword.

“Storm!” Ellery called as he drew his second blade. “We’re under attack!”

Storm appeared from the tree line, sword in hand as the group of bandits on horse back emerged.

“Ellery the Quickblade!” one of the bandits hissed. “This time we’ll take your head!”

“We’ll see about that,” Ellery muttered under his breath. He exchanged a glance with Storm, and then the two of them were springing at the bandits together. Chloe-Jane turned and ran back to the carriage, her heart pounded a mile a minute in her chest.

Inside the carriage, Chloe-Jane pressed her hands over her ears as blades clashed. Everything had been going fine. Why were there suddenly bandits? Before long, the sounds had faded, and someone tapped softly on the carriage. Chloe-Jane slowly removed her hands from her ears as Storm offered her a smile from outside the window. Chloe-Jane quickly hurried out of the carriage to look him up and down. “Are you alright?”

Storm laughed. “I’m fine. It will take more than some bandits to hurt me.”

Chloe-Jane hurried over to Ellery next. “And you?”

Ellery shook his head. “I’m fine, too.”

Chloe-Jane let out a breath. “Good.” Then she paused. “Ellery, are the bandits after you?”

Ellery sighed. “Yes and no. They hate me because I keep them off of the main roads. They don’t go out of their way to hunt me down, but whenever we do cross paths, they’ll try to kill me.”

“We’re traveling together,” Storm said confidently. “No matter how many bandits show up, they’re no match for the two of us.”

Back in the carriage, Chloe-Jane was finally starting to feel tired from the journey. Now, she just hoped they could reach their destination as soon as possible.

At night, Chloe-Jane sat alone in the carriage, watching the moon from beyond the window. It took her a moment to realize her face was wet, and she lifted a hand to brush away another tear. Why couldn’t she just move on?

Chloe-Jane wiped her face with the back of her hands before opening the carriage door. “Storm?” she called, scanning the area.

“He went chasing fireflies again,” Ellery told her from where he was sitting a short distance away. “I wonder if people knew what Storm was really like, he would still be as highly regarded as he is.”

“How he acts is not a problem,” Chloe-Jane said tiredly. “That doesn’t suddenly cancel out all the heroic things he’s done, the people he’s helped, and the adventures he’s gone on.”

Ellery just looked at Chloe-Jane. His eyes searched hers. “Why can’t you notice me?”

Chloe-Jane offered him a sad smile. “I do see you, Ellery. You’re wonderful. You’re just not him.”

Ellery exhaled as he looked away again. “You won’t give me a chance. Not while he’s still by your side. Chloe-Jane, I can protect you just like he can. I could give you everything you want that he can’t. Could you just give me a chance to prove myself?”

The night breeze picked up. “It’s not like that, Ellery. What happened between us was casual. We agreed on it ourselves that night.”

Just then, there were the sound of footsteps, and both of them turned to see Storm emerge from the trees. “Guess what I have this time?”

Chloe-Jane smiled as she hurried over to him. “Fireflies?”

“Yep!” Grinning, Storm opened his hands, and the glittering bugs fluttered out.

Chloe-Jane giggled as they sparkled and glowed, but even as she twirled in circles, she noticed that Ellery was no longer smiling.

✦ ✦ ✦

Later that week, Storm had stopped the carriage off to the side of the road for breakfast, and Chloe-Jane watched quietly as he roasted mushrooms over a fire. He handed her the first one done, and she absently took it. Her initial sadness from Storm’s rejection had now been replaced with a numbness, but maybe it was a sign of healing. She bit into one of the mushrooms, only to let out a soft sound as the heat burned the roof of her mouth.

Storm looked to her in alarm. “Careful.” He took the skewer from her and waved it around in the air a couple of times before handing it back. Chloe-Jane smiled faintly. Storm smiled back as he went back to roasting the remaining skewers. “Now you should be able to eat it.”

Chloe-Jane lifted the skewer to her mouth, but then she pressed a hand to her head as an odd feeling washed over her. The world was starting to ripple.

Storm noticed her reaction. “Chloe-Jane?”

“I don’t feel so good,” Chloe-Jane said quietly. She could see Storm looking at her in concern, but there were two of him now. Chloe-Jane blinked, and a third Storm wavered across her vision.

Storm quickly snatched the mushroom skewer back from her and sniffed it. He flung it to the ground. “These are poisonous!”

Chloe-Jane let out a dry sob.

Storm drew a dagger from his belt. “We need to get rid of the poison now. I know this will hurt, but you have to bear with it.”

Chloe-Jane bit her lip as she nodded.

Storm drew a small pouch from his belt next. Then he turned to Chloe-Jane. “Your arm.”

Chloe-Jane gave him her arm, squeezing her eyes shut. Then there was a searing pain as Storm slit her skin with his dagger. Chloe-Jane hissed softly and slowly opened her eyes to find Storm placing a number of very plump looking beetles on the open wound. “They’re kind of cute,” Chloe-Jane said. Her words came out slurred. She was starting to get delirious.

“These beetles can suck out the toxins from our blood,” Storm explained as he placed another on Chloe-Jane’s arm. “I always carry some on me in case I run into poisons. I didn’t think to check the mushrooms. I can feel that I’ve been affected as well. Even just smelling them can start to mess with your head. I don’t understand. Ellery gave them to me like he does every morning . . .” Storm trailed off, looking around as his gaze darkened.

Storm scooped Chloe-Jane into his arms and carried her over to the tree line. “Maybe Ellery made a mistake today?” Chloe-Jane whispered as Storm set her down.

Storm shook his head. “I hope that’s the case. Stay here for the time being. You’re going to feel weak for a while. Don’t come out until I get back.”

Chloe-Jane swallowed hard as she nodded.

Storm made sure she was well hidden before he turned and hurried back down the path.

Chloe-Jane watched the beetles on her arm for a moment before the ground began to shake. Galloping hoofbeats filled the air, and Chloe-Jane watched in horror as a group of bandits shot down the road. Chloe-Jane trembled as she lay flat on the ground, hidden behind the bushes. All the while, cries of “Get him!” echoed down the road.

She couldn’t move now if she wanted to, and her head felt light. The bandits vanished, and Chloe-Jane’s heartrate had just begun to steady when someone scooped her off the ground. Chloe-Jane began to panic until Ellery’s face swam into focus. “Ellery!” Chloe-Jane managed to get out. “I think Storm’s in danger. Don’t worry about me—you need to go back him up!”

Ellery just walked toward the path with Chloe-Jane in his arms. “Let’s go see him together.”

As Ellery walked down the road, the sound of swords clashing became apparent. And as they grew closer still to the sound, Chloe-Jane could hear Storm’s voice over the bellows of the bandits.

Chloe-Jane turned to Ellery hopelessly. “You need to go help him! He’s been affected by the mushrooms!”

Ellery just set Chloe-Jane down by the trees. He crouched down as well and the two of them watched the fighting. Chloe-Jane’s heart dropped. The group of bandits had Storm backed up against a cliff. Storm was still swinging his blade, but the bandits continued to close in on him.

“Help him, please!” Chloe-Jane begged as hot tears slid down her face.

Ellery just remained where he was, but his eyes were conflicted now.

Chloe-Jane tried to rise to her feet, but all the strength had left her body, and she crashed back to the ground. “Storm!” she cried, but she was too far away to be heard. “Watch out!”

One of the bandits swung his blade, striking Storm in the chest. Then Chloe-Jane was screaming as the same bandit kicked out, sending Storm toppling backward over the edge of the cliff.

“Storm!” Chloe-Jane sobbed. “Ellery, please, I’m begging you to help him!”

“That cliff is thousands of feet high,” Ellery said. He staggered, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe what he had witnessed. “No one can survive that fall.”

Chloe-Jane shook her head violently, refusing to believe her ears. “No. He must have survived. He’s Storm. He’s the kingdom’s young hero.”

Chloe-Jane watched in a daze as the bandits turned and rode off down the path in celebration. Once they vanished, Chloe-Jane mustered her remaining strength to stagger over to the cliff. She dropped to her knees at the edge of it, staring down at the world far below. She couldn’t see anything but a blur of green and brown through her tears.

Chloe-Jane whirled on Ellery. “Why didn’t you help him?” she said shrilly. “You could have prevented this from happening!”

“I messed up, okay?” Ellery shot back, raising his voice. “I just needed a moment—just one—where he wasn’t enough, and I could be the one to save you. I work tirelessly, but never has anyone truly acknowledged my efforts.” He let out a breath. “Then you came along. You noticed me. You actually cared. Because I met you, I wanted to be the hero for once.” Finally, Ellery swallowed hard. “I led the bandits here. I just . . . I didn’t think it would end like this.”

Chloe-Jane shook her head, backing away from Ellery. “Had I known you were this kind of person earlier, I wouldn’t have let you follow Storm and I this far.”

Hurt flashed in Ellery’s eyes. “Chloe-Jane, I—”

Chloe-Jane made to rise to her feet, but then the world was spinning around her, and she passed out.

✦ ✦ ✦

“Chloe-Jane.”

Someone was calling her name, but her head felt cloudy.

“Chloe-Jane,” the voice called again. It was Ellery’s voice. But where was Storm?

Chloe-Jane looked around. She knew she was in a dream because the world’s edges were blurred and wavered like smoke. She tried to open her eyes, to wake, but in this dream, her eyes were already open.

“What do I do?” Ellery’s voice was panicked from worlds away. “Doctor, she won’t wake!”

“She’s gone through shock,” another man’s voice said. “Give her time.”

Their voices faded, and Chloe-Jane looked around. She was back in her room at the castle. She slowly walked through the sunlit space and pushed open the doors of her balcony. She gazed out at the vibrant world, the wind setting her hair flying gently.

Then Chloe-Jane gasped as she looked down. There was a dragon there. She looked at the dragon, and the dragon raised its head to look back. Chloe-Jane’s heart beat rapidly as the dragon stared at her with glassy gray eyes. It was then that Chloe-Jane noticed the chains around the dragon, binding it to the castle.

“You shouldn’t be locked up here,” Chloe-Jane called down. “Wait for me!”

Chloe-Jane didn’t hesitate as she turned and hurried out of her room. She ran down the empty castle halls and down flight after flight of stairs. She finally emerged outside the castle. The dragon loomed above her, but Chloe-Jane didn’t feel frightened. She found where the chains were connected to the stone wall, and she yanked at them. The chains melted away in her hands, vanishing into the wavering world.

Chloe-Jane smiled as she turned back to the dragon. “You’re free!”

The dragon looked at Chloe-Jane, bowing its majestic head.

“You’re free,” Chloe-Jane whispered. “Fly.”

The dragon raised its neck, but remained where it was. It looked at Chloe-Jane expectantly.

Chloe-Jane felt tears sting at her eyes as she shook her head. “I—I can’t go with you. I’m sorry. My responsibilities are here. I can’t leave.”

This time, the dragon spread its wings and took to the sky. Chloe-Jane tipped her head back, watching it dive in and out of the clouds. Her face still streaked with tears, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the summer air.

“Chloe-Jane,” a voice echoed. It was Storm’s voice.

This time, Chloe-Jane opened her eyes to find herself lying on a bed in a room. The night sky shown outside the windows, and a candle flickered on the table next to her. She just lay there, staring up at the ceiling. A silent tear slid down the side of her face.

“Chloe-Jane!” It was Ellery. He hurried over to kneel next to the bed. “You’re awake.”

Chloe-Jane just glared at him. “I have nothing to say to you.”

Ellery blinked, hurt flashing through his eyes. “Chloe-Jane, I just realized you finally woke up. Do you know how worried I was about you?”

“And what about Storm!” Chloe-Jane said shrilly. “I thought everything was fine between us. So why did you—why did you have to kill him?” She let out a sob.

Alarmed, Ellery reached out to brush her tear away, but Chloe-Jane slapped his hand away. “Chloe-Jane . . .” Ellery’s voice was pained.

Chloe-Jane just slapped him across the face. “You don’t have the right to speak to me.” Storm was dead. Her world was crumbling. Chloe-Jane made to slap him again, but Ellery caught her wrist. Chloe-Jane struggled against him to no avail. “Let go of me!”

“Chloe-Jane,” Ellery said as he held her gaze, “I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do. I just want you to give me a chance.”

“I hate you,” Chloe-Jane hissed as she continued to struggle. “If you really love me, you would let me go.”

Ellery slowly released her hand. “I’ll give you some time alone. Make sure to eat.”

Chloe-Jane just continued to glare at him as he left the room and shut the door. Now alone, Chloe-Jane jumped up from the bed and hurried over to the windows, only to find they were covered with metal bars. She went to the door next. Of course it was locked. She quietly returned to the bed and sat back down, still in a state of disbelief.

Chloe-Jane pulled her knees to her chest and buried her head in her hands. Storm was gone forever, and it was all her fault. If she hadn’t been selfish and picked him as her guide. If only she had gotten rid of her feelings for him sooner . . . none of this would have happened. Storm was the kingdom’s young hero. If he was fated to die young, his death should have been a heroic one that would be remembered in legends for years to come. Being forced over a cliff by bandits . . . Storm the Dragonhearted couldn’t die like that.

Chloe-Jane sat there until the candle on the table had burned out and the sun rose outside the windows. Finally, when her tears had dried, Chloe-Jane slowly stood and walked around the room. She kept her eye open for something, anything, that might be able to help her escape. But the room was empty.

Suddenly, there was the sound of footsteps followed by a jingling of keys. Chloe-Jane threw herself back onto the bed and shut her eyes, feigning sleep.

Ellery entered the room. “I brought you breakfast.”

Chloe-Jane didn’t respond.

Ellery sighed. “I know you’re awake. You must be wondering where we are. This is my house. Well, the house my siblings and I grew up in. I rarely come back here. It reminds me of those difficult times. Now I just keep it as an outpost for the guild. You’re safe here. The bars over the windows are to prevent bandits and anyone else with bad intentions from breaking in.”

Chloe-Jane finally opened her eyes and sat up to glare at him. “Let me go, Ellery. If I’m missing for too long, people will start to worry about me. And if they track me down here, the consequences won’t be pretty.”

Ellery lingered in the doorway, this time keeping his distance. “I asked you before, and I’ll ask you again. Why won’t you give me a chance?”

“I liked Storm because he was Storm,” Chloe-Jane said shortly. “Ellery, if you waited, I could have given you a chance. It wasn’t impossible for something to start between us. But it’s impossible now. Maybe I would have eventually come to terms with myself and finally set my feelings for Storm aside. Maybe I would have eventually fallen for you.”

“There’s too many ‘maybes’ there,” Ellery said in a pained sort of way. “Unlike Storm, I’ve never had anything that truly belonged to me. Growing up, I single handedly raised my siblings. All the good things I came across all went to them. Then you came into my life. For the first time, I didn’t want to give something away.”

Chloe-Jane just shook her head as she looked at him sadly. “But I’m not a ‘thing,’ Ellery. I’m a living breathing person.”

Ellery just dropped his gaze. “You should have something to eat.”

Chloe-Jane was quiet for a moment. “How long was I asleep?”

“A week,” Ellery answered.

Chloe-Jane crossed her arms and turned her nose in the air. “I won’t eat until you let me go.”

“Eat when you’re hungry. I’ll be back to check on you later.” He left the room and locked the door behind him.

The next time Ellery returned, it was dark outside. Chloe-Jane lit a candle and sat quietly as it flickered beside her. She wasn’t foolish enough to set the house on fire with her trapped inside it, but maybe she could use it as a threat? No. Chloe-Jane scrapped the idea. She couldn’t continue like this. She needed to eat something, otherwise she wouldn’t have the strength to even try to escape. She barely moved when Ellery unlocked the door and stepped into the room.

“You need to eat,” Ellery said worriedly. “I’ve brought you dinner.”

“I have no appetite.” Chloe-Jane glanced at the plate Ellery set on the table beside her and wrinkled her nose.

“Chloe-Jane,” Ellery started. “About Storm—”

“I’m thirsty,” Chloe-Jane cut him off. She couldn’t think about Storm right now. “Do you have any milk?”

Ellery blinked. “Milk? What—yes! Let me bring you some!”

Just as he turned around, Chloe-Jane moved. In one swift motion, she grabbed the plate from the table and brought it down hard on Ellery’s head.

Ellery collapsed to the floor, and Chloe-Jane stood there for a moment, frozen with the plate still in her hands. When Ellery didn’t move, holding her breath, she finally crouched down and held a finger under his nose. Good. He was still breathing. Chloe-Jane tossed the plate aside and rushed out the door. She found the front door quickly and threw it open. She paused for a moment as her eyes fell on the daggers hanging on the wall next to it. Her heart racing in her chest, Chloe-Jane snatched one before leaving the house behind.

She squinted through the dark in a daze, trying to find the path, when suddenly a soft noise caught her attention. Chloe-Jane staggered closer. “Vesper?”

The mare tossed her head, and Chloe-Jane quickly began to undo the rope around the horse’s neck. Her fingers fumbled with the knot, and she found herself looking over her shoulder every couple of seconds to make sure Ellery hadn’t given chase.

“Come on, girl,” Chloe-Jane whispered. “It’s just you and me now.”

Once the horse was free, Chloe-Jane swiftly climbed into the saddle and flicked the reins. Vesper took off at a gallop, and Chloe-Jane clung to the horse’s neck.

It was only when Chloe-Jane felt like she had put enough distance between herself and Ellery’s house did she tug in the reins. She slid off Vesper’s back, but her legs gave out the moment they touched the ground, and she collapsed off to the side of the dirt road. She felt dizzy. She was miles from home and all alone. Chloe-Jane took a deep breath. She was here in the eastern kingdoms for a reason. Even if it was just her now, she would complete her journey. Only after could she grieve properly.

✦ ✦ ✦

In the morning, the first thing she did was find a place to sell her dress and then use the money to buy a simple travel outfit, food (both for herself and for Vesper), and a map. She was still about a week’s distance away from the castle. Chloe-Jane squared her shoulders as she climbed back into the saddle. She would count on her own abilities to get there the rest of the way. Chloe-Jane thought of her sisters. She imagined Clarity’s cool confidence and Corinna’s will to be strong even in the most dire of situations. And Storm . . . Chloe-Jane’s eyes burned. She couldn’t think of him right now. Once she got to the castle, she could mourn. But now she just had to get out of the open or else she wouldn’t last much longer herself.

By the third day of traveling, Chloe-Jane didn’t need a mirror to know she looked like a mess. Her legs ached, and her feet were covered in blisters from when she had gotten too sore to continue riding. She hadn’t felt this awful in a very long time. But she had gone through worse back at the farms. This little bit of hardship was nothing. At night, she would huddle behind the trees with Vesper, too scared to make a fire in case it drew something or someone to her location.

Two days later, Chloe-Jane was walking, guiding Vesper along by the reins when the turrets of the castle emerged in the distance. Chloe-Jane wanted to laugh, to cry, as she looked up at it. But just as she made to step forward, there was a rush of movement from behind her. Chloe-Jane froze, slowly looking down to see a glinting blade at her neck. “You! Bandit!” a familiar voice said. “Put your hands up.”

Chloe-Jane just stood there in shock.

“Hey! Did you hear me?” the voice said. “Put your hands up!”

“Storm,” Chloe-Jane whispered.

The blade fell away from her neck, and she turned to find herself looking at the dark-haired young man himself. Storm’s gray eyes widened in surprise. “Chloe-Jane!”

Chloe-Jane let out a sob. “Storm! You’re alive!” She stepped forward to throw her arms around him, half wondering if she was imagining him, but she restrained herself and smiled instead through her tears.

Storm smiled back. “I’m sorry I scared you. Once I found my way back up the cliff, I immediately started searching for you.”

Chloe-Jane shook her head. “What happened?” She searched his dirt-splattered face.

Storm grinned. “I found something to grab onto—jabbed my sword into the rock to slow my fall. I lost the sword, but I managed to keep my life. The fall got me pretty banged up, though. If it wasn’t for the old doctor claiming he was looking for me, I’d still be lying at the base of the cliff. I’m trying not to feel too disappointed about it, but that sword had accompanied me the longest.” Storm showed the current sword he was using to Chloe-Jane. “I fought a bandit for this one a few days back. Though, if I have to attack anyone with this piece of rubbish, it’s gonna snap in half.”

Chloe-Jane let out a laugh. “You didn’t recognize me?”

Storm gave her a guilty smile. “I think we’ve both seen better days. I followed you here because I recognized Vesper and thought you might be a horse thief.”

Chloe-Jane just smiled back before she finally pointed into the distance. “Look! We’re almost at the castle.”

Storm followed her gaze. “It won’t be long until we arrive. I think we should get you cleaned up before we get there, though.”

Chloe-Jane looked down at her tattered clothing. “You’re right.”

✦ ✦ ✦

That night, the two of them found an inn to spend the night. After washing up in the inn’s bath house, the first thing Chloe-Jane did was flop down onto one of the beds. She was exhausted, both mentally and physically.

Storm entered the room a few minutes later. “I brought food.”

“Leave it on the table,” Chloe-Jane said into her pillow. “I’ll sleep a little bit first . . .”

Soon, Chloe-Jane was waking up to light streaming in through the window. She slowly sat up. Storm was still fast asleep in the other bed. Chloe-Jane watched him for a few moments. Storm was alive and safe. There was nothing more she could ask for.

Chloe-Jane shuffled over to the table. The food was cold, but she still eagerly devoured it. When she was done, she started braiding back her hair. By the time she had finished, Storm had started to stir.

Storm yawned and stretched, blinking the sleep from his eyes. Chloe-Jane giggled at the way his dark hair stuck up. Storm laughed as well. “Ready to finish our journey?”

Chloe-Jane nodded.

Storm counted the money in his coin pouch. “I don’t have enough to buy another carriage. By the time I found my way back to the cliff, the carriage and the horse were both gone.”

Chloe-Jane smiled. “That’s alright. We don’t need another carriage to get to the castle. We still have Vesper, after all. I’m starting to think she really does bring good luck.”

Outside, Storm helped Chloe-Jane onto the horse before climbing up behind her. He flicked the reins, and then they were off.

Late that evening, they arrived in front of the castle’s gates. Storm climbed off Vesper first, then turned to help Chloe-Jane down. The knights standing guard hurried over to them and bowed deeply. “Queen Chloe-Jane. Storm the Dragonhearted. We’ve been expecting you.”

✦ ✦ ✦

After attending a welcome banquet and talking to nearly every royal in attendance, Chloe-Jane and Storm retired to their rooms. Chloe-Jane’s skirts swished around her feet. The royals had provided them with exquisite clothes, and after all those days of travel, Chloe-Jane had yet to completely refamiliarize herself with it. Chloe-Jane and Storm had been arranged to stay on different floors, but Chloe-Jane asked if Storm could be closer. She felt less on edge knowing he was nearby. Now, the two of them had rooms on opposite sides of the hall.

Chloe-Jane paused in front of her door, looking back over her shoulder to where Storm had stopped in front of his. “Goodnight,” she said softly.

Storm offered her a smile. “Goodnight.”

Inside her room, Chloe-Jane lay awake in bed for a long time. Even though the room and bed here in the castle were the most comfortable she had been in this entire journey, she just couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t help but think about everything that had happened.

Despite planning to keep the story of her kidnapping and Storm’s close call with the cliff quiet, after the dinner, Storm had already gone and told it to anyone who would listen. In turn, the royals had arranged a group of knights for them to escort them on their return journey.

Chloe-Jane spent the next few days discussing peace and trade between the kingdoms. In her free time, she would play with the prince’s young children. It was a break from all the formal discussions, but it was just as tiring in its own right.

At long last, the two week stay was coming to an end, and Chloe-Jane was bidding the royals goodbye outside the castle. She climbed into the carriage and they started down the road, but they hadn’t gotten far before a figure standing in the middle of the road came into view.

The carriage slowed to a stop, and Chloe-Jane opened her window to look more clearly.

“Ellery?” Storm exclaimed.

Ellery’s gaze fell on Chloe-Jane, and Chloe-Jane quickly shut the window.

“Chloe-Jane,” Ellery said. His voice was pained.

“How dare you,” one of the knights said. “Who are you to speak the queen’s name?”

“Chloe-Jane,” Ellery called in a pained sort of way. “You’re the queen? That doesn’t matter. No matter who you are, my feelings for you won’t change.”

Chloe-Jane opened the window again. “But it does matter, Ellery.”

“Are you really okay going back like that?” Ellery asked. “Can you really let go?”

Chloe-Jane took a deep breath. “I’ve come to terms with my feelings. I hope one day you can come to terms with yours.”

“But—”

“I won’t push consequences for what happened. Go back, Ellery. The eastern kingdoms need you.”

“I’m sorry,” Ellery finally said in defeat.

“Let’s not meet again,” Chloe-Jane said shortly before shutting the window and pulling the curtains over it.

“You heard Her Majesty,” one of the knights called. “Move aside.”

The carriage rolled into motion again, and Chloe-Jane didn’t look back. Once they were a good distance away from the castle, Storm tapped on the window at the front of the carriage. Chloe-Jane scooted over to open it so they could speak. “What did Ellery mean back there?” Storm asked with furrowed brows. “What does letting go mean? And what did you mean about feelings?”

Chloe-Jane smiled as she shook her head. “It’s nothing. Just my final words of advice to him. Thank you for escorting me all the way, Storm. What do you plan to do once we return home?”

Storm broke into a grin as the wind rustled through his hair. “There’s still lots of places I want to go and explore. Oh, there’s far too many to list.”

“Make sure to tell me about them the next time you’re in the capital city.”

“Of course! That reminds me, did I ever tell you about the one time I explored the crystal caves? I wanted to get my uncle a sparkly birthday present, but I ran into some complications along the way.”

As Storm animatedly recounted the events, Chloe-Jane found herself smiling faintly. Maybe the two of them had never been fated. Chloe-Jane was the queen, forever to remain in the castle. Storm was the hero who would go wherever his wings would take him. Maybe Storm would never love her back the way she loved him, but that was alright. Maybe it was for the best this way. If they truly did love each other, one of them would have to give something up. She didn’t want to chain him to her, nor could she leave the castle. And so she would continue thinking about him until her heart finally healed with time.

✦ End ✦