Love Through War

C h a p t e r T w e l v e

Sophie's POV.

Sophie thought nothing could have ruined that moment.

"Sophie!" Edaline called. "Fitz is here!"

Aaaaand the moment was ruined.

Sophie reluctantly pulled away from Keefe.
"I have to go," she whispered, their foreheads still touching.

Keefe kissed the top of her head.
"I'll see you again."

Sophie nodded. "Yes, soon I hope."

"Sophie?" Now it was Fitz's voice.

Keefe sighed and grasped the ivy covering the wall.
"Goodbye, Foster," he winked. "Have fun on your date."

"Doubtful," Sophie said with a small laugh.

She watched Keefe climb down the wall adjacent to her balcony and watched until he was out of sight.

Now it was her turn to sigh.
She turned to her bedroom and walked down the staircase.

"Hey, Sophie!" Fitz greeted.

"Hi, Fitz," Sophie gave half a smile.

Grady and Edaline were also standing there.
"Well," Grady said. "We'll leave you two alone."

"Are you ready for an amazing night?" Fitz asked with a smile, though his eyes were dull.

I've already had an amazing night, Sophie thought, I really just want to go to bed early.

Instead she said, "yes," with nod and smile.

"Great!" Fitz took her hand and led her outside the palace.
His hand was icy.
"I thought we'd start with a nice walk. Then maybe some tea?"

They started off around the grounds, Fitz chatting about his day and annoying brother Alvar.

Sophie stifled a yawn.

Once they'd circled the grounds twice, Sophie told Fitz she was tired from her first day as First Lady, and needed rest.

Fitz nodded and said he'd like to see her soon.

"Right," Sophie said awkwardly. "Likewise."

Sophie headed back to the palace and straight up to her room.

She changed into some silky pink pajamas and collapsed onto her bed.

She immediately fell into a peaceful sleep, dreams filled with a beautiful blonde boy flying on the back of a winged horse.

~

Alvar's POV.

Alvar tracked through the grounds of the Blackswan Clan, thinking and brooding about his unfair life.

Nobody appreciated him.
Not his father, not his clan, they didn't appreciate how awesome he was.

He'd always lived in the shadow of his younger brother Fitz.
Fitz was the golden child of the Vacker family.