by J. M. Page
Sometime later, perhaps a full day, the queen did make an appearance, but she maintained that she didn't want to discuss any of the circumstances around their departure or their return until they were both feeling better. She eyed Lina with a strange expression, her jaw looking tight as they lay curled up together in the bed meant for only one of them. But she said nothing. And when Bain told her that they planned to be wed, she didn't seem surprised in the least.
Chapter Thirty-Three
It was nearly a week before they were both back to full strength. Well, Lina felt up to working after only another day or two, but Farita employed a round-the-clock guard to keep an eye on her. Of course, Bain was the first one to tattle on her if she tried to get up and do something she shouldn't.
But she was insufferably bored laying in bed day after day. It was made marginally better by having Bain next to her, but even he seemed rather bored by the end of it. They got up every few hours to stretch and try to work out their exhausted muscles. They worked on rebuilding their strength without pushing too hard. And truthfully, they were probably completely recovered before either of them really wanted to admit it. Because admitting that they were better was acknowledging it was time to talk to the queen. And that scared the daylight out of them both.
Bain sighed, his feet planted on the ground, his elbows on his knees. "It's time, isn't it?"
Lina didn't have to ask what he was talking about. She felt it too. They'd come back to Mabnoa for a reason. They had a mission. They needed to toughen up and face the music. And the queen's cold, x-ray glare.
"I think it is," she said, her hands sliding up his spine to massage his shoulders. "But it can't be all that bad, can it? Everyone's been telling us what a reasonable person your mother is."
Bain snorted humorlessly, shaking his head. "With some things. I don't know about this thing. This might be too much."
Lina nodded, resting her chin on his shoulder from behind. "That's true. But there's only one way to find out for certain."
"You're just eager to be free of all this fuss," he said, turning to look at her with a knowing smirk and a cocked brow.
She shrugged. "So? Are you saying you're not?"
His posture slumped forward again and he shook his head. "I am. You're right. I've just never been very good at facing my mother in times like these."
"Well, you don't have to do it alone this time," she said, letting her hand trail down his arm to find his, their fingers lacing together. "What's the worst that could happen, anyway? Nothing changes? Then we'll just have to wait for your turn at the throne."
He nodded, drawing in a deep breath that straightened his spine and seemed to imbue him with a renewed confidence. "And that will be sooner rather than later, now that I've found my bride."
"So what have we got to lose?" Lina said brightly, the thought of going back to her cozy apartment ever-present in her mind.
"You're really smart sometimes, you know that?" Bain teased, turning his head to kiss her.
"We've all got our moments." She grinned, climbing out of bed and taking him by the hand. "Come on. No time like the present."
Though she was the one to take his hand, Bain led the way through the palace, taking hidden passages and winding corridors that Lina couldn't follow. Most of the design seemed to stem directly from how the tree had grown over the years and decades, lending a kind of haphazard, yet still organic layout. And while the palace was huge and daunting, Lina began to appreciate the details, the quirks and charm. Her apartment was a wonderful workspace, but it was pretty far away as far as distances in the village went, and being so far from Bain never seemed appealing.
It was too soon for her to be so presumptuous about when she'd move in, but Lina decided as he led the way and pointed out this artwork or that room where some memory happened, that she wouldn't mind living here. Even if it would take some major adjusting.
She was so lost in thinking about the way the palace had grown over time, and how it would continue to grow, trying to imagine what it would look like in another twenty or fifty years, that she forgot they were headed for an audience with the queen herself. It wasn't until they stopped in front of a pair of huge doors, flanked by guards, that she remembered.
"I'm here to speak with my mother. She's expecting me," Bain said, clearly and forcefully.
The guards nodded at him, but then turned to Lina, their eyes narrowing with scrutiny. "And your guest, Your Highness?"
"Is your future princess, and you'll do well to remember it," Bain said, his tone sharper than Lina thought necessary. But the guard snapped to attention, stumbling over himself in apology as he granted them entrance.
Lina sent him an apologetic look as she walked by. She didn't think she'd ever be used to people acting like that around her. She wasn't sure she'd ever be able to order people around or muster that tone of pure authority that Bain wielded so effortlessly.
They walked into the huge open space and found the queen standing by one of the open windows. Lina remembered this room. This was where she'd first learned about her plant powers. It seemed like forever ago now. That had been so unbelievable back then, but now... Now it felt like a part of her. It was still weird, there was no doubt about that, but the vibrating energy she felt from all the plant life around her was now a constant hum just under the surface of her skin. It wasn't just the plant energy, it was their energy. They shared it somehow, the Mabnoans and the plants. Fed off of one another without either of them losing anything.
How had she ever thought she could leave this place for good?
"Feeling better, I take it?" the queen asked without turning toward them.
Bain stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture absolutely rigid. "Yes, and it's time we discussed some important matters."
"Like why you disobeyed my direct request and put our entire people at risk?" the queen shot the barb with perfect precision, and Lina stifled a gasp. Bain didn't stumble or falter for even a moment, though.
"Yes," he said. "Though it is a long explanation and we should probably find somewhere more comfortable for this conversation."
Now, the queen turned and Lina saw the effects of worry all too clear on her face. She was still a mother after all. This wasn't just about the prince disobeying her, or the threat to the planet, this was a mother, concerned for her child. She was bracing herself for whatever Bain had to say, and Lina could just imagine how her mind must have run wild these past weeks without anything to stop it. The horrors she must have imagined. No wonder she looked exhausted.
"Very well," the queen sighed. "Come."
She led the way to a door hidden behind the throne which opened to a sitting room with a roaring fire and a tea tray, artfully arranged with snacks.
They all sat and politely poured a cup of tea, sitting in awkward silence until the queen finally broke it.
"Well?"
Bain sighed. "I'm not exactly sure where to begin."
"How about you start with the night you left and conscripted your sister as an accomplice?"
Lina winced. They were not off to a good start.
"That was my fault, Your Majesty. I was desperate to get back to my mother and tell her I was alright."
"And did you?"
Lina nodded. "We did."
"She must have been very happy to see you again."
"She was," Lina said, nodding. "She was very worried when I disappeared. She assumed the worst. She worked herself day and night trying to figure out how to find me or follow me."
The queen said nothing, sipping on her tea.
"But when I returned, and told her my story, she insisted we come back."
That got the queen's attention, her eyebrows lifting gracefully. "Oh?"
Bain shifted in his seat. "Lina told me the reason behind our isolation."
"And yet you risked our very way of life by leaving, and again in your return."
Bain shook his head, setting his saucer and tea cup d
own on the table. "No. There are things that even you don't know, mother."
She seemed entirely unamused. Like she was ready to throw them both out any moment. But instead, she too set her cup down and folded her hands in her lap. "Please, enlighten me."
Bain turned to Lina and she gave him a firm nod in answer.
He nodded back, sighed, and began. "Our enemies are not what they seem..."
It was hours later when the story was finally through, when the queen's endless questions had been satisfied.
"That is quite the tale you've brought back to me," she said, looking past them, her eyes distant.
"It's not just a tale, Mother. It's reality. They wish us no ill will. They want the hostilities to end as much as we do."
"Why should it even matter? If they're going back to their world and we're not leaving ours."
"It will take a few decades for their world to become habitable again," Lina said carefully.
"And I would like to reinstate our space program," Bain finished.
"You would, would you? You've had one adventure and now you want to change the way everything has been for centuries?"
Bain held up his hands. "Perhaps I'm the only Mabnoan who wishes to leave the planet. And if that is the case, so be it. I will placate myself with visits to allied planets and trips to summits. But I don't think that is a decision we should be making for the whole of Mabnoa behind closed doors."
"And you truly believe there is no threat to our people?"
"Not from the Fibbuns. I can't speak to any other threats that may lurk in the depths of space, but our allies have made no mention of any concerns, have they?"
The queen shook her head slowly. "No, I haven't heard anything. We've long had an agreement with our allies, to keep sentry for the Fibbuns, but there have been no reported sightings in generations."
"Because they no longer wish to fight. They no longer wish to capture our kind and force them into servitude."
"But they did before. And that is not something that we can so easily forget or forgive."
Bain clasped his hands and leaned forward, his eyes shimmering with a sincerity that surprised even Lina. "The creatures who did those things were distant ancestors of those still alive today. They're no more responsible for those crimes than we are for the great wonders our ancestors built here. It is a new time, Mother. A new age, and I believe that working together is the only reasonable course forward. And to be clear, I do think we should be moving forward. We have stagnated in complacency for too long. We have brothers and sisters out there, people like Lina who know nothing of the wonders of Mabnoa. Perhaps their home planet is just as beautiful. Perhaps our populations would like to mingle."
"It seems you've given a great deal of thought to this," the queen said, her lips pursed. "And there is nothing I can say to convince you otherwise."
"Why would you want to? Do you disagree with my assessment?"
Lina kept quiet. She didn't know how to talk on the same level as these two. Apparently, among all the other things she still needed to learn about life on Mabnoa, about these people and their ways, she also needed to learn how to talk like a royal. They somehow managed to use such calm voices and unobtrusive words to convey so much hidden emotion and meaning. It was impressive and daunting all at once. Because Lina knew that one day, she'd be expected to communicate the same way. And one day, the fate of their people might rely on her ability to do so. Or a trade agreement. Or a peace treaty. Or a million other things that she had no idea how to handle.
But Bain did. He handled his mother beautifully.
"I'm reticent to admit it, but I can find no fault in your conclusions. If what you've told me is true, we should bring it to the people. Of course, I will need to speak with this Fibbun Captain before any of that. I must confirm for myself that your convictions are not misplaced."
"Of course," Bain said. "I would expect nothing less."
"I have to say, son, I am quite proud of how you've handled yourself. I was not pleased that you disobeyed me, but even I cannot overlook the pull of true love. I can hardly blame you for following your heart. Especially not when it led you to such a remarkable young woman."
Lina's eyes shot up to find the queen smirking at her and her heart stopped.
"Yes, I mean you," she said, her smile growing. "I knew when you arrived that there was something special about you, but I never expected you to completely turn our lives upside down."
Lina chewed her bottom lip, not sure what to say. Should she apologize? She didn't really feel bad. Everything that had happened, she was happy about. Everything that was changing here, seemed like a good change.
"I don't know what to say," she finally said, realizing that no one was going to answer for her.
"No need to be modest, dear. You're very talented and your heart is in the right place. I suppose you're exactly what we needed here — that is, if the growing pile outside your apartment is anything to go off of."
Her jaw dropped a fraction. People were still leaving her jobs? Even after she left? Even when no one knew if she'd ever return.
"I guess you could say that we're a hopeful bunch. No one wanted to see you go, and no one wanted to believe it was permanent. They all believed you'd be coming back to us. I was less certain, of course. I know how much your mother means to you. I'm happy you've found something here that means as much."
Lina nodded, reaching for Bain's hand. But it wasn't just him that she'd found here. It was the people. The sense of purpose. Her friendships with Farita and Suriah. It was being surrounded by nature, the way it responded to her, the way the treetops called to her and the fresh air made her feel more alive than anything else ever had.
...Anything other than Bain's kiss, of course.
"I've finally found where I belong and I'm so grateful that you've welcomed me so graciously."
The queen's smile grew until a soft laugh bubbled up from her. "You're going to make a fabulous princess."
Lina's cheeks warmed, a happy glow flushing through her. She never expected to be accepted with open arms. She never expected to find a place that felt so much like home. But she had, and now she'd never give it up.
Epilogue
Two Years Later
"You look beautiful," Bain's deep voice came from behind Lina and she spun with a start.
"You shouldn't be here! It's bad luck to see me today," she said, smoothing her flowing white skirt absently. From high in her tower atop the palace tree, she could see all of Mabnoa spread out before them. Everything looked so tiny from up here. But it was all the perfect size for Lina.
"Seeing you brings me nothing but good luck, no matter the day. Besides, I have a gift to give you."
His arm wound around her waist and pulled her into his embrace for a long, lingering kiss.
She smiled, her lips tingling from his touch. "I think it's customary for the gifts to come after the wedding, dear."
"Well, it's important that this one is delivered prior to the festivities."
"Oh?"
His satisfied expression didn't give anything away and Lina sighed. "You're not going to tell me anything, are you?"
"Nope."
"Can you promise me that we'll be back in time? I don't want to risk angering your sister. I thought having her plan everything was a good idea..."
"Until pregnancy made her a monster? I know. She's scary now," Bain chuckled. It seemed that things with the guard and Surie had gone better than either of them had expected.
Not one to be shown up, Suriah announced their engagement only weeks after Lina and Bain announced theirs, and she made sure she was the first to get married. Not that Lina or Bain minded, of course. Bain was used to his sister's theatrics and antics and Lina had been on the verge of dreading this day for the longest time. Trying to put it off, though the plans always forged ahead with or without her. That was the thing about a royal wedding — she didn't get a lot of say in it.
Though that was just as
well. She didn't have the first clue what it took to put something like this together, to plan an event of this magnitude. She was grateful that none of it was her responsibility, even if Suriah had gotten a little... testy in the last couple of months as her belly swelled with a child.
"I promise we'll be back in time," Bain said, kissing her forehead. "And if Surie is annoyed, she can talk to me."
"You'd fall on that grenade for me?"
"And a hundred more," he said, with a complete sincerity that made Lina giggle. She loved that they still bantered like that, they he never ceased to make her heart soar. And soon, he'd be her husband. It hardly seemed believable that it all happened in such a short period of time. But she couldn't be happier.
"Come on," he said, taking her by the hand and pulling her out of the room, and down the stairs.
"Where is this present?"
"That's a tricky question," Bain said, grinning cryptically.
"Is it really though?" Lina asked, her brow furrowing.
"Yes."
"O...kay. Where do you have to take me so that I may receive this gift?" she tried again, carefully wording the question to get around his playful literalism.
"The basement," he answered, still not giving much information away.
"There's a basement?"
Bain stopped and looked at her with one brow cocked. "I've really never taken you there?"
She shook her head.
"Well, I think you might start spending more time there," he said, still smiling.
Lina frowned. The idea of a basement didn't sound very exciting to her. She'd spent most of her life in a below-ground laboratory. A basement, even in a place as wonderful as Mabnoa's palace, sounded dank and depressing.
But she wouldn't say that to Bain. Not now. Not when he was so excited about whatever it was he wanted to show her. And why it couldn't wait until after the wedding, she'd never understand.
"Should I have changed?" she asked, suddenly remembering her pristine white dress and conjuring up images of dirt floors and water dripping from the ceiling. If she got this dress dirty, Surie would for sure have her head.
