Jak didn’t exactly choke on the hot coffee—delicious, if overly sweet, probably Stella would like it—but he did raise a brow. “What about Her Majesty’s infamous list of suitable princess brides? I know Zeph wasn’t on it.”
“Yes, well.” Astar firmed his jaw, looking more noble than ever. “Auntie Essla doesn’t have any room to criticize, seeing as how she married for love, not politics.”
“Which is arguably why she hoped you’d take up that torch.”
“She’ll have to live with the disappointment, then—or find another heir. I’m sending a missive to Ordnung to inform her of my decision.”
“Who are you and what have you done with the spotlessly honorable Crown Prince Astar?” Jak inquired, not bothering to contain his amazement.
“He grew up,” Astar retorted, “and learned something about what truly matters in life.” His gaze lingered on Zeph, who was telling Stella a story regularly interrupted with sighs and squeals. “I nearly lost her, Jak. Twice over. I’m not going to face a third time without giving her everything that’s in me to give.”
“Good man,” Jak said, clapping him on the shoulder. “I wish you both well. I think our Zeph will actually make an amazing queen.”
“I think so, too,” Astar murmured.
“An amazing what?” Gen demanded as she came in the room with Lena. She spotted Zeph and Stella in the corner and beelined for them without waiting for an answer. Lena followed right behind. A new chorus of squeals went up, and Jak stuck a finger in his ear, making a show of digging at it.
Astar laughed. “They’ll work off the excitement quickly.”
“I hope so,” Rhy said sardonically, slouching into the room with his hands deep in his black trouser pockets. “They’re hurting my ears,” he added in a carrying voice.
“Poor sensitive baby,” Zeph sang out.
“Do I dare ask?” Rhy asked, surveying the offerings and popping a glazed roll in his mouth.
“That pitcher has Annfwn coffee,” Jak said, pointing.
“Bless Moranu.” Rhy sighed happily, pouring a cup.
“They’re excited because Zephyr and I will be getting married,” Astar told Rhy, who sloshed his cup in surprise, burning his hand, which he shook absently.
“So much for Willy’s Moratorium,” he snarled at Astar.
“Are we still doing that?” Jak asked. In truth, he’d forgotten the rule Astar had imposed on the group at the beginning of their quest, that there would be no romantic entanglements among themselves. Of course, it was a moot point for him now. “In point of fact, Zeph ducked agreeing to it from the very beginning—and tricked Astar into doing the same.” When Rhy frowned, he added, “Think back to our first meeting.”
Rhy’s expression cleared in dawning comprehension—and irritation at the duplicity—while Astar looked chagrined. Jak lifted his coffee in a toast toward Zeph. “You have to admire her planning.”
“Why is it admirable planning on Zeph’s part to persist in chasing Willy and win his hand in marriage,” Rhy ground out, “and when it’s me wanting to win Lena back, I’m the villain?”
Astar growled deep in his chest, opening his mouth, but Jak pointed a finger to stop him. “If you don’t know the answer to that excellent question, my friend, then that is what makes you the villain.”
Rhy drank down his coffee, hissing at the burn. “Since when are you the philosopher?”
“Danu’s lines are clear ones,” Jak replied cheerfully, adding a silent reminder to himself to abide by them.
“Apparently Willy’s Moratorium wasn’t in lines nearly as fixed as Danu would make them,” Rhy bit out, glaring at Astar.
“It’s true,” Astar replied evenly. “As I am only a man, and I lack the goddess’s clear-eyed wisdom. Therefore, I’m rescinding the rule. I bear responsibility for failing to seal my own vow to the agreement, and then later making another vow in violation of my implied promise. You are free to do as you please, cousin.”
When Rhyian’s eyes lit with fierce glee, settling immediately on Lena, Astar put a hand on his shoulder. “But I’m warning you, Rhyian: this is a make-or-break opportunity.”
“To do what?” Rhy asked, shrugging off the hand irritably.
“The right thing,” Astar replied with firm resolve.
“According to you?” Rhy sneered.
Astar just shook his head sadly. “You still don’t get it. According to Lena.”
“And how am I supposed to know what she thinks is the right thing?” Rhy snarled.
“Here’s a startling suggestion,” Jak replied with raised brows. “You could ask her.”
“And how am I supposed to do that when she won’t talk to me?” Rhy waved his empty cup in the air.
Jak shook his head and snagged the cup, going to refill for them both. This would be a long morning. “Maybe figuring that out would a good place to start, if you’re smart enough,” he called over his shoulder, laughing when Rhy made a rude gesture.
~ 4 ~
“All right, people,” Astar called out from where the three guys were clustered around the food, interrupting Zeph’s swooningly detailed—and third—description of the actual proposal. As happy as Stella was for her and Astar, she didn’t need to hear the story yet again. “Time for Lena and Zeph to give us the report. We’ve waited long enough.”
“I know I can’t stand the suspense any longer,” Stella agreed.
“Me neither,” Astar said. “So, grab some food and drink, and find a seat so we can hear where Zephyr and Lena went, and what happened there. Then we need to plan next steps.”
“You don’t know already?” Jak, holding an incongruously delicate cup, elbowed Astar. “You two have been closeted nonstop since the girls returned. I figured Zeph had told you everything.”
“We weren’t talking,” Zeph replied to Jak sassily, giving Stella, Gen, and Lena a wink and a pleased smile. Then Zeph’s mood darkened as she held out a hand to Lena, and they shared a long look. “And I only wanted to have to tell it once.”
“Agree completely with that,” Lena replied fervently. “Let’s get this over with.”
They all took their seats, the festive mood sobering, and Stella sifted through the emotional currents. Worry. Fear. Curiosity. While she’d told Jak the truth—that she tried not to overhear thoughts and feelings people wanted to keep private—sometimes she had no choice. And sometimes, like this, it was useful to keep her mental finger on the pulse of the group. Astar and Zeph’s good news had been a welcome happy distraction from the uncertain future they all faced.
And she greatly appreciated that Zeph had wanted to tell Stella first, in private, though the engagement hadn’t come as a surprise. Zeph had been earnest, even vulnerable in a way Zeph never was, concerned about Stella’s approval. Fortunately, her blessing was something Stella could give with a full heart. Zeph had always been like a sister to her, so having her as an official heart-sister only formalized the relationship.