“One of these days you’re going to have to tell me about this friendship with Shey,” Caelan teased.
“What?” Rayne said in almost a gasp. His steps faltered and he slowed.
“You move through the castle like you lived here.”
Rayne glanced over at Caelan, who was only a step behind him, a little wrinkle between his brows and a slight pink to his cheeks. “Your Highness, if I have given you any reason to doubt my loyalty—”
Caelan groaned and shoved Rayne’s shoulder lightly. “You know I don’t. Stop being ridiculous.” His grin returned and he stepped closer to Rayne, their arms brushing. “But you and Shey, huh?”
Rayne cleared his throat and quickly directed eyes back down the corridor. The blush in his cheeks growing darker. “It was many years ago, but yes, for a time, we were…close.”
“What happened?”
Rayne blinked at him, seeming confused by the question. “It was time for me to return.”
Caelan could only sigh, an unexpected twinge of sadness gripping his heart. Maybe it had never been serious. Maybe Rayne didn’t let it become serious. Wrapping his arm around Rayne’s shoulders, he squeezed him and chuckled softly. “I can only be grateful that all this ambition and your big brain are working for Erya and not against it.”
“It’s not just for Erya.” Rayne stopped walking and turned to face him. All the uncertainty was gone from his pale-green eyes, and his auburn brows were pressed together over his nose. His mouth had become stern. “I believe in you, Caelan. Maybe if it had been someone else standing in front of me right now, I would have considered staying in Caspagir, but I believe in you and what you can do for Erya. For all of Thia. Your destiny is something much larger than us and I wish to be part of it, even if it is only a small part.”
He didn’t know how he did it, but Rayne had a way of reminding him their job was so much bigger than leading a single kingdom. It was like all the air had been sucked from his lungs and unexpected nerves twisted in his stomach. Was this panic? Could he truly live up to Rayne’s expectations of greatness? Most days he barely knew what he was doing. He would be utterly lost without Rayne, Eno, and even Drayce at his side.
But maybe that was the point. His mother might have stood before the people alone in her decrees, but she always surrounded herself with the wisest people to help guide her decisions. Rayne’s faith kept him from floundering in doubt and indecision. Eno’s strength and loyalty kept him on the right path. Drayce’s devotion and lightness reminded him that there was more to life than heavy decisions.
Taking a step away, Caelan wiped the last of his own teasing from his expression and straightened his spine He offered his companion a shallow bow of gratitude. He wasn’t sure he was worthy of Rayne and his friends, but he would always try to be. “I will continue to endeavor to be worthy of your faith in me.”
“And I shall support you in all ways that I can until my dying breath.”
When Caelan straightened, his smirk returned and he lightly punched Rayne’s shoulder. “But do try to have a little fun too.”
With a roll of his eyes, Rayne continued to lead him through the castle, but Caelan didn’t miss the smile teasing at the corners of his mouth. Had Rayne found a bit of fun Caelan didn’t know about? Maybe rekindled an old spark with Prince Shey?
Walking a short distance farther, they came to a pair of tall double doors with two guards standing on either side along with one page. The young man stepped forward and bowed to them both. He was dressed in a sort of buttercream yellow slacks and a white shirt. Only the guards tended to wear dark colors in Caspagir. Caelan didn’t know if it was to make them stand out against the soft colors of the city or to make them more foreboding. Probably both.
“Good morning, gentlemen. Thank you for coming. I will see if her majesty is ready for you.” The page quickly turned around and disappeared inside only to return a few seconds later with a tense smile on his face. “Please, go in.” He held the door open, waving them forward.
This time, Caelan led the way but was surprised that the page didn’t accompany them to announce him.
But then, he needed to take just a couple of steps inside to realize there was no need. He wasn’t meeting Queen Noemi in a formal chamber with other cabinet members and advisors. He was meeting her in what was an exquisite conservatory for the queen’s private use.
Caelan’s pace slowed as he lifted his eyes to the curved glass walls and steel supports extending up more than two stories. Early morning sunlight poured through the windows, gilding the lush green jungle around them in soft gold. The sweet-smelling air was warm and humid. There was a wild, almost untamed quality to the beauty that unexpectedly reminded him of the Ordas. Well, the Ordas without the eyes watching them.