Finnikin of the Rock (48 page)

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He loved the flush that appeared on her face, and there was an intake of breath from the girls.

"Aldron," she said, clearing her throat, "if he agrees to become king, I'm going to let him kiss me. Please don't stop him."

Aldron thought for a moment and sighed, holding up his hand. "Wait there and do not move," he ordered Finnikin, before calling out to one of the other guards who stood on the platform. "Ask Perri if he's allowed to touch her if he's agreed to be king."

Suddenly a great cheer erupted from the crowd around them, and then another and another as the news spread across the courtyard. The novices formed a circle around Isaboe and Finnikin to keep everyone out, standing with their backs to the couple. For a brief moment they were in their own private cocoon.

"This hand says you spend the rest of your life with me," he said, holding out his left hand, "and this one says I spend the rest of my life with you. Choose."

She bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. She took both his hands in hers and he shuddered. "I will die protecting you," he said.

There was a look of dismay on her face. "Just like a man of this kingdom, Finnikin. Talking of death, yours or mine, is not a good way to begin a--"

She gave a small gasp when he leaned forward, his lips an inch away from hers. "I will die for you," he whispered.

She cupped his face with her hands. "But promise you'll live for me first, my love. Because nothing we are about to do is going to be easy and I need you by my side."

Lady Celie cleared her throat. "Hurry up and kiss her, Finnikin. The Mont cousin is coming this way with alarming speed."

"Then turn the other way, Lady Celie," Finnikin murmured before placing an arm around the queen's waist and lifting her to him, his mouth capturing hers.

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***

Hours later, when everyone seemed to have gone home except for Trevanion and the Guard, Finnikin and Lucian sat on the roof of one of the palace cottages with Isaboe sleeping between them. They spoke of the past. And of Balthazar. About the ten years in exile. About their fathers, and the mothers they missed. About the queen.

Finnikin heard a cry in the distance as a hint of light began to appear. He leaned down to whisper into her ear. "Wake up, Isaboe."

He helped her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her, his cloak engulfing them both. They watched the light crawl across the kingdom, illuminating their land piece by piece. Its mountain and rock, its river and flatlands, its forest, its palace. She placed his hand against the beat of her heart and he felt its steady pace.

"Listen," he whispered.

And then they heard the first words of the priest-king's song traveling across the kingdom, and they saw flickers of light appear across the landscape of their world.

"My king?"

"Yes, my queen?"

"Take me home."

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