Jovari the Blue

Chapter 10: Kissing a Stranger

Battle Ground, Indiana

Claire looked over the small stack of books she'd selected. "I never thought I'd be forced to pick favorites," she said, sighing. Her mother chuckled. "It's like I've got to decide which books I'll be content to read for the rest of my life. Kind of like that famous question, 'If you were stranded on a desert island, what book would you want to have with you?' You know?"

"I know." Her mother offered her a soft smile. "But I'm sure they have books there, too."

"Not these books!"

They'd spent the last twenty minutes packing. Her Osprey backpack had gone missing—perhaps already in Dragonwall from her last trip there—so she was using her mother's. How was she supposed to fit all of the most important things in her life into such a small space? Leah was probably facing the same challenge.

She blew out a breath, cheeks puffing. "Do you think I'm making the right decision? By going?"

Her mother was silent, thoughtful. "I do."

"But, why me? You're related to Irelia too. It could have been you that got chosen as the return-queen."

Her mother adjusted everything in the backpack, finding a place for her books. "I think that no matter what a person believes in—the fates, gods, a creator, or otherwise—things happened this way for a reason. It was meant to be you. If I had gone, your father and I wouldn't have met. You wouldn't exist. That would be a travesty."

The tears she'd been trying to fight pooled in her eyes. "I just...what if I'm not a good queen? What if I can't do it?"

"Oh, honey." Her mom moved to cup her cheek. "Do you really think that drengr male downstairs would be here if you weren't worth it? If you weren't special to him, to his kingdom?"

A tear slipped down her cheek, then another. She cupped her mother's hand against her face. "I guess you're right."

"Moms always are," Alexandra teased. She stepped away and glanced around. "Shall I pack that, too?"

Claire looked over at the gown she'd been discovered in. The one splashed across all the tabloids when she'd shown up at the embassy headquarters. "No. It should stay here. I'd like you to have it, to remember what I am, or remember me by, I guess."

"We have plenty to remember you by, honey. But...I'd like that. Besides, you're a queen, so I'm sure you've got hundreds of gowns and jewels waiting for you. You won't miss that one."

A thrill shot her straight in the chest. A hundred gowns? Jewels? She hadn't even considered that.

"Well then," her mother said, sighing. "I think that's everything."

A knock sounded. Her heart fluttered when King Talon poked his head inside. "I thought I'd check on you."

Her mom held her gaze and softly said, "He's good for you, I think."

Heat rushed to her cheeks and she couldn't help but steal a glance at the king, who just stood there on the threshold of her bedroom. Checking in on her. Like he couldn't be away from her for too long. It was obvious in the way he devoured her with his gaze.

"I'll be downstairs," her mom added, giving her arm a squeeze. "Take as long as you need."

Talon steped aside, giving Alexandra room to withdraw, then entered and shut the door behind him. Her heart thrashed in her chest. He was here, in her room. He seemed to feel the same surprise, because his gaze darted over everything, taking it all in. "It's different, seeing it in person after seeing it in your memories," he mused. "You really do have a lot of books."