Chapter 34

Keira lay in bed in the Queen's castle in Suikara, staring at the ceiling as she listened to the festivities outside. They couldn't have waited until after I left? Ugh, there will be more when we get home, too. I just know it.

Knock, knock.

"Who is it?" Keira asked.

"It's m-me. I mean Aki," he said, fiddling with his thumbs as he took a deep breath.

"Come in; it's open."

"Is it safe to leave it open like that?" Aki entered, closing the door behind him.

Keira sat up and raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? It's me."

"B-but you..." He swallowed hard. "But you died earlier. You're more vulnerable right now..."

I feel fine.

"And I'm worried when you're not beside me, where I can see you. I know it's ridiculous, and I need way more protection than you ever would, but after seeing you so lifeless earlier..." Aki teared up again. "I just want to stay near you, so I know you're okay."

"The monsters are gone, Aki. I'm fine."

"Demons aren't the only kind of monsters around. You should know that. The first time we actually met, I was a novice teen mage, training to work in the tower for real when bandits overran it and took me hostage. You were a teen at the time too, but you were already making a name for yourself with your heroics, and you saved me from the bandits with your ice magic."

"We met as teenagers?" I remember the attack on the tower, but I didn't know it was him.

"Ah-ha... I knew you didn't remember me from back then, but it still stings a bit. We met after that, too. You saved me during one of the times the city was attacked by demons, but it was basically in passing to you, so I doubt you'd remember it. You've always saved me."

Who knew we even met multiple times? "And now you've saved me in return. Without you, I don't think this mission would've been successful. There are so many ways our group could've met our demise."

"Same could be said for you. I still can't believe you restore seals on your own, when it took three of us in Tanten."

"Depends on the seal, but I think I might've just had enough magic. Besides, Tanten's was in the worst condition." Keira lay back down on her bed. "So, you've seen me, now what? Return to the festival? Rest before our long journey starts tomorrow?" Although much safer with the seal restored.

"C-can I stay in here? Just on the floor! I want to stay near you tonight. Promise I won't try anything."

Keira smirked. "I know you wouldn't try anything." You're a bit crazy, but you don't have a death wish.

"Does that mean I can stay?" He looked at her, hands clasped in front of him and eyes full of hope.

Such a puppy-dog. "Yeah, sure."

"Thank you!" He rolled up his cloak and lay on the floor beside her bed, using his cloak as a pillow. "Yup, much more at ease here."

A few minutes later, her bedroom door opened.

"Look who brought a celebration drink!" Rui held up a bottle of champagne. "Oh." His eyes lit up. "Hey, Aki, I was wondering where you vanished to. I should've known. Time for a sleepover? The whole gang? Well, minus Aria..." He glanced back at Malik and Fiona in the hall behind him.

So much for sleep...

---

And this is why we shouldn't let her drink. Keira looked at Fiona, passed out on the floor, clinging to Rui, who was competing with Malik.

"Okay, I think it's time to put her on the bed." Keira pulled Fiona off him and set her on the bed.

Fiona automatically clung to Keira.

Rui sighed. "I didn't mind being her body pillow, but I guess she'll share the bed with you."

Malik held up a fresh bottle and poured a glass for Rui. "It's okay; we're fine continuing down here."

"We're leaving tomorrow, regardless of whether you're hung over." Keira lay back down with Fiona, and Aki gripped the edge of her shirt from below as his eyes closed.

How did things end up like this?

---

"We're finally going back home." Keira brushed Sora's hair as she prepared to leave.

"Always vanish on us to go to Sora." Malik chuckled as he approached her in the stables.

"Naturally. So, are you ready to go?"

"Ah, about that..." Malik reached out to pet Sora, who nuzzled up to him. "While I am ready, I won't be going with you."

"Oh?"

"The seals are restored, our mission has been completed, and I have my kingdom to return to."

"That's true." Somehow slipped my mind. Guess I got used to him being around.

"But seeing as it'll be a long while until we meet again, I figured I should check on something first." He took her hand and led her a few steps away from Sora.

"What's wrong? You should be safe heading back on your own with the restored seal."

Malik smirked. "Yes, I will be; I'm not worried about that. I wanted to check on how you felt."

"I'm fine. A little worried about my hair, but I doubt I'll use much magic anymore."

"Well, that's good to hear, but I meant, how do you feel about me?" He kissed the back of her hand.

"Oh. You're..." A bit overwhelming, but I respect you. "Charming."

"Good to hear, but does that mean I've won you over and you'll come with me?"

Keira's eyes widened. "Come with you?"

He leaned in close and kissed her cheek. "To be my real queen, sometime in the near future."

She stared into his reddish-brown eyes from up close, and Aki's face flitted through her mind, causing her heart to thump hard. "I..."

"I don't like to pressure anyone, but I think now is the time to know if I should keep my hopes up because I have a chance or start to pick my heart back up to mend it."

Keira cringed. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I think you just made your decision." He kissed her cheek again and backed away.

"But I didn't make a decision." I don't even know how to feel about this.

"Keira, my Ice Queen, you said you didn't want to hurt me, meaning you wanted to turn me down, but didn't have the heart to say it. I suppose I knew it would be this way, but I had to ask to know." He swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "Good luck with Aki. He saw me kiss you previously, though I doubt he knew it was on the cheek, so that would explain his behaviour the day after our date. If things don't work out with him, feel free to check if I'm still single." He headed back inside the castle, giving her a little wave as he went.

Is that what it means?

Sora neighed and nudged her arm.

"I'm okay, Sora... I think."

Rui popped up a moment later. "So, did Malik talk to you? He said about heading back to Tanten. Considering he's the king, it makes sense. I offered to escort him, but he turned it down, saying he'd only want a woman escorting him."

"I see."

"You okay?" he asked, having already noticed how dejected Malik was.

"Yes, just a bit befuddled." She rubbed the spot over her heart.

"Well, the other two are ready, but since Aria isn't here... Wait, where's her horse? She zoomed off on the water; how did she come back for her horse?" Rui shook his head. "I'm better off not asking. Guess I can just attach my horse to the carriage now, and that problem is solved."

She must've come back for her horse, but I'm surprised she got away after. Or maybe they let her get away after seeing her help.

---

After saying their goodbyes to Queen Isla, they headed outside the kingdom together.

"I suppose this is goodbye for now, my friends," Malik said, his eyes sweeping across them.

"Goodbye." They each waved to him.

He approached Aki. "The next time I stop by Matsu, I'd better hear from you about how either you got together or you shoot your shot. Got it?"

Aki nodded.

Malik gave them a wink and took off toward Tanten.

"I'm going to miss him." Fiona sighed. "So lively and interesting."

"Well, this trip back is likely to be boring, so you can sleep in peace in there if you want," Rui said.

"I think I'll be able to enjoy the views and peace a bit more without the fear of demons popping up."

Keira led them out with the others trailing behind her.