Ronin returned several days later than they had expected. It hurt Thea to admit how much she missed him. She kept her quiet watch over Freya as the Princess continued to attend events in the Palace and surrounding Forest and Gardens with Ilan for company.
It was easy to be around Ilan, and he and Freya spent a good amount of time teasing and cajoling one another. It was clear that they would be firm friends, once Freya was married to Ronin. Part of Thea was pleased that her friend would have such a good ally, someone to make her smile. Part of her wondered if she might be consumed by jealousy, when the time came to walk away.
Could she even stay for the wedding? It felt as though they’d had one night of hope, of a future together. Out in the forest, admitting that they wanted the same t
