Deck of Cards (33 page)

Luckily, the arrows did not do significant damage, though Noel took one in the boot. They still had shields but it would be nearly impossible to carry James to safety while protecting themselves from arrow fire.  Caleb signaled to put up the shields and wait. 
There was another short arrow assault and then the distinct trumpet sound signaling an attack by the Arterian cavalry, which promptly signaled the end of the archers’ attempt at slowing the party. Behind them, the cannon fire continued to rock Castle Graden but they were far enough away now that little debris could reach them.  They continued to carry James out of harms way and Katey prayed that her precious brother would be safe.

At last, they reached safety behind the Arterian lines.  Medics rushed in to assess James’s situation.  Although he was badly injured, they were fairly certain that he would make a full recovery.  Once Katey learned the he would be
all right, she breathed a deep sigh of relief.  Caleb had been rushed off to assess the state of the army and to give orders. She could see him across the field, knew that he was secure behind his own line, but she longed for the protection of his arms.  He met her eyes from across the distance between them, gave his last few commands and began to make his way toward her.

Dodging the officers, messengers, and other who dare to step between them, Katey took off, running faster than she ever had before
. She threw herself into his open arms, her lips meeting his.  She was home at last.

After kissing her for what seemed like an eternity, Caleb finally released her long enough to whisper in to her ear, “Don’t ever die on me again, okay? Do you promise?”

“I promise,” she said laughing. The sounds of victory echoed off in the distance and Katey looked forward to a very joyful, uneventful life with her king in their castle, forever after.

Epilogue

“Princess Kaylen may have my eyes and your hair, but she has her Uncle Matthew’s ability to escape,” Caleb said, watching his daughter lithely climb over the top of her wooden play pen and teeter across the floor, chasing her older cousin as quickly as her chubby little legs would carry her.

Katey laughed.  She was so happy that Kaylen would have her cousin Marcus to look after her, much the same way that James had always kept her safe when they were little.  Even though Matthew, Maggie and Marcus had reestablished their home in Zurconia they visited often and the two were very close. Now that Marcus had another brother or sister on the way, it may be more difficult for them to visit. Katey was looking forward to spending some quality time at Castle Ringley.

After the fall of Clovington and Gradenia, the allied forces had divided the territory, though not evenly. Nichole took much of Gradenia for
herself. After learning of King Philip’s dead they had appointed James as the new King of Clovington, though Nichole insisted that he still answered to her, as she was his older sister. He had professed his love for one of Nichole’s ladies-in-waiting and they were married shortly after he recovered from his injuries.  Katey was so very happy that he had also found true love.  In her opinion, there was no greater force in the universe. It could make the dumb speak, bring the dead back to life, and repair the most broken of hearts, those who thought they had nothing worth beating for.

At first, Katey had several nightmares about Leopold that he had returned and carried her off in to the night.  But, after a while, those nightmares began to fade and she was confident they would never hear from him again.

She was also slightly worried that the situation between herself and Matthew would be awkward. On the contrary, however, he was now like a brother to her as well.  She had never seen anyone as happy together as Maggie and Matthew, well, maybe that wasn’t exactly true. She had certainly found her Prince Charming after all.

Watching Kaylen toddle around the room and feeling her husband’s sweet gaze, Katey truly felt like this life was all that she had ever hoped for.  And someday, Kaylen would grow up, find her true love, and become Queen of Arteria herself.  It’s what every princess deserved.  As Katey crossed the room to take Caleb’s hand in hers she said, “I love you, my King.”

He smiled, “I love you, too, my Queen” his lips softly brushing hers.

And, perhaps
, they lived happily ever after.