By the time they finished training, the sun had climbed high and Kira’s muscles ached in places she hadn’t known she owned.

As they walked back toward the main mansion together, Kira noticed the palace staff bustling around everywhere.

The grounds had transformed. Staff moved everywhere, hanging long banners in Dravengard colours, threading garlands along the railings, carrying tall arrangements of flowers in through the great doors.

The whole palace was being dressed for tomorrow. For the coronation.

For some reason, she started to grow nervous. Was she truly going to be the crowned Queen of Dravengard? Even for a few months? After their contract expiration, what next?

"Your Grace. Your Highness."

A voice greeted them from behind. They both turned, and Kira’s eyes widened in surprise.

Flora and Maya were standing there, looking a little nervous but smiling.

The moment Kira’s eyes met Maya’s, her heart kicked into a sudden uneven rhythm, and cold goosebumps rushed across her skin from her arms to the back of her neck, for a reason she could not begin to name.

Derek caught the change in Kira’s heartbeat at once.

The rapid thump-thump-thump was loud enough in his ears to make him turn sharply toward her, his brows pulling together in concern.

"Are you alright?" he asked, voice low and gentle.

"I’m fine." She smiled and nodded quickly. "Flora and Maya just startled me, that’s all. I wasn’t expecting them."

Maya broke away from Flora’s side and ran straight toward Kira, throwing both arms around her waist in a tight hug. Kira stumbled half a step, caught off guard, then softened immediately and wrapped the little girl up in a warm hug.

When she pulled back, Maya looked up and stared directly into her eyes, holding her gaze. Something in that small, steady gaze made the hairs on Kira’s arms prickle again, but she pushed the feeling down.

Flora quickly caught up and bowed to them both.

"Your Grace. Your Highness. I’m so sorry for coming unannounced, and uninvited."

She wrung her hands slightly. "But Maya has done nothing but talk about seeing the Queen for the longest time. When I heard the coronation was happening sooner, I thought I’d seize the chance and bring her. I hope it isn’t too forward of me."

"Why didn’t you come sooner?" Kira asked, smoothing Maya’s hair. "I’d have loved to have you both before now."

"I lost your number somehow." Flora gave a small, embarrassed laugh. "I had no way to reach you. I felt terrible about it."

"It’s perfectly fine," Derek said.

"We’re just glad you came," Kira added warmly.

"You’re welcome to stay," Derek said.

Flora bowed again. "Thank you, Your Grace."

Derek turned to Kira. "I need to attend to matters of the court now." He squeezed her hand lightly. "I will see you later."

Kira looked up at him with a smile and nodded.

He stared into her eyes for a moment, then gently pulled their hands apart and started to step away, then paused and turned back.

"If you really need your friend Jessica here, contact her. Have her come out to the The Central, and I’ll send men to collect her safely from there."

Kira’s heart fluttered with happiness. She beamed at him. "Really?"

"Only because she is Kai’s soul bond."

"Thank you. Thank you." She beamed at him. "You’re the best husband ever! Have a good day."

Derek’s mouth tilted into a lopsided smile. He nodded and walked into the mansion.

Kira turned back to find Flora staring after him with her mouth slightly open.

"Did the King just..." Flora blinked. "Did he just smile?"

Kira giggled. "Don’t make a thing of it, he does that sometimes when no one is looking." She linked her arm with Flora’s. "Come on, tell me everything. How is Alistair?"

She led Flora inside, and the two of them fell into easy conversation as they walked, catching up on everything that had happened since they last saw each other.

A maid came hurrying toward them as they entered the foyer.

"Your Highness. His Grace asked me to show Madam Flora and young Maya to their rooms in the main house."

Maya’s hand tightened around Kira’s and she pressed herself into Kira’s side, refusing to budge.

Kira laughed softly and looked at Flora and the maid.

"It’s fine. Leave Maya with me. She can stay with me for now."

Flora hesitated, then nodded gratefully and followed the maid.

Kira took Maya’s hand and led her up to her own room. Once inside, she sat the girl down on the edge of the bed. She stroked her hair back from her face and smiled.

"Look at you," she said. "You’ve grown even more beautiful since I last saw you. How is that possible?"

Maya’s lips curved into a shy smile in return.

"I’m so glad you’re here in Dravengard." Kira tucked a strand behind the girl’s ear, and her eyes sparkled with an idea.

"In fact, I have something to ask you." She lowered her voice as though sharing a great secret. "Will you be my flower girl tomorrow?"

Maya’s eyes went wide, and her smile spread across her whole face. She nodded eagerly.

"Wonderful." Kira beamed. "Then it’s settled. And I’ll tell you what, I’ll dress you myself. Right here, in the Queen’s room. We’ll get you ready together. How does that sound?"

Maya nodded again, delighted.

"Good. Now settle in and make yourself comfortable. I’ll send the maids up with some food for you."

She pressed a kiss to the top of her head and turned to go, but Maya’s hand caught her wrist.

Kira turned back, and her smile faltered.

Silent tears were sliding down Maya’s cheeks. She wasn’t sobbing or making a sound. The tears simply fell, one after another, while she looked up at Kira with those strange bright eyes.

Kira dropped down at once, lowering herself to the girl’s level, cupping her small face and brushing the tears away with her thumbs.

"Hey. Hey, what is it? What’s wrong, sweetheart?"

Maya’s lip trembled.

"I’m scared of the storm," she whispered.

Kira’s brows pulled together. She glanced toward the window, at the sky outside.

There was no storm. There wasn’t a single cloud in the sky.