Like a flame in the dying light, Alera's red cape flew out behind her as she cut across the palace grounds, through the training fields, and straight to the one place she knew she'd always be able to find the one person who had always waited for her.

The fenced yard was empty and the stables quiet, what with the horses being set free amongst the chaos. But she knew there were good people here, regardless of how she had been treated growing up. They'd not let any harm come to those horses, for Jere and Palo's sake than anything else. And she knew Jere would see to it that the horses were collected as needed. She could also see him distributing Nicholas' team to those in need of them, after some proper training, of course.

Training she wanted to be a part of, she realized. As she stepped onto the bottom rung of the fence and held onto the post, she remembered the last time she was in that yard, walking along with Jere, trying to calm a new stallion with just a song. Then, however, she knew nothing of these powers of hers, or why she was able to single-handedly train a wild horse all by herself.

She looked down at her hands. They looked the same to her, but now she knew there was a wild magic lingering just beneath the surface. And she almost lost control of that life-giving magic when she allowed Nicholas to get the better of her and her emotions. Would she have killed him if she was truly given the chance? Would her mother's dagger have allowed such an act to be achieved?

Alera dropped her gaze to the dagger at her hip. When her mother's spirit passed the blade to her that day on the edge of the late, had she knows what her daughter would be up against? She spoke of the future and foretold of prophecies and that everything was up to set things right, but how would she have known about what Alera would be up against? Or did her mother assume, because of who she was and therefore who her daughter would become, that there would always be someone against her, someone looking to undermine her and want to take advantage of her power?

Or was that the fate her mother had assumed for herself? When her father went to the forest people was Vessa convinced she would have to endure such a future? Had she agreed to marry the king to save anyone else from such a fate?

The dagger seemed to pulse with each negative thought, reaction to each emotion like her magic had in the past. Even before she knew exactly who she was and what she was capable of. The dagger, however, seemed to amplify it, especially after she had absorbed Nicholas' darkness. She would need to speak to Havea about it, to see if there was anything he and the forest mages could do to better cleanse it, and perhaps learn about the darkness Nicholas possessed so as to protect themselves and her kingdom against it in the future.

Because something within Alera warned her that this was just the beginning, and there may be others like Nicholas who would seek her power, or her people's, or perhaps even her own children when the time came.

She smiled at the thought as her attention turned skyward. The stars were just starting to sparkle in the darkening sky and she made her wish. To one day have those children, and to raise them as they deserved to be raised— aware of both the forest people and their human kingdom, and when the time comes for them to feel free to make their own choice on where to live, whom to love... decisions that were only now becoming available to Alera.

A shimmer brighter than the stars pulled her attention towards the stable, and there stood Jere, holding a lantern up next to his face, the light casting shadows on his handsome features.

She smiled at the sight, as did he in return.

"I was wondering when you were going to show up," he teased as she jumped off the fence and walked over to meet him.

"I was just doing some thinking," she mused as she wrapped her arm around his waist. His free arm rested around her shoulders as he led them back towards the stable.

"What were you thinking about?"

"Stuff and things."

"Well, that's very convenient."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I was thinking of things and stuff as well?"

She glanced up at him. "Oh, were you?"

"Indeed."

Jere held out his arm and it brought her attention ahead of them, where at the back of the quiet stables there was a small section illuminated by additional lanterns, framing a plaid blanket laid out on the floor like someone was having a picnic. Perhaps they were, because there was also a basket with a spread of some fruit and bread, and a bottle of wine between.

"What's all this for?" She asked as she made herself comfortable on the blanket.

"I just assumed you needed some quiet time," he said as he placed the lantern he was holding on a nearby hook before turning to join her on the blanket. "And since there are currently no horses here, why not make use of it while we can."

"It's a pity you weren't able to muck the stables before you invited me in."

"Are you kidding? That's part of the foreplay."

Alera would have been shocked at his forwardness if she wasn't so exhausted, so instead she did the only thing she could think of doing.

She laughed.

The responding grin on Jere's face told her that's exactly what he was hoping for, and so she laughed more. When was the last time she laughed? When was the last time they had had the freedom to, and freely?

With the broadest smile she crawled across the blanket and snuggled herself against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head as she settled against him with a contented sigh.

"It's perfect."

"I know."

"No, I mean it's perfect for what I have planned next."

He glanced down at her, but she was already moving onto her knees so that she could properly face him. He arched a brow but she smirked in response as she took both of her hands in his.

"Jere."

"Alera?"

"Shh," she hissed. "Or I'm going to lose my nerve."

"I brought wine for that."

"We can drink the wine after."

"After what?"

"If you'd shut up, I'll tell you."

He chuckled and nodded. "Of course, my princess."

She scrunched her nose at the term of endearment but shook her head, took a deep breath, and began again.

"Jere..." She paused to make sure he wasn't going to interrupt again, but it seemed he understood the instructions now so she sighed and continued. "You have been my best friend for as long as I remember, and in most cases, the only friend I've ever truly had, but that does not belittle the love and trust I have in you, and all you have done for me."

She thought he was going to interrupt, but his gaze softened as he watched her speak, which in turn led to her cheeks reddening, and she was going to lose her nerve if she didn't keep talking. This time she took both of his hands in hers, his warmth giving her strength even when she felt she was at her most vulnerable.

"Even when I told you my father had promised me to another you didn't give up on us. In fact, you did the exact opposite, and instead of letting me go or running away, you didn't let go and convinced me to run away with you."

She let go of his hands, only to reach behind her neck and unclasp her mother's locket. She held it out between them as she started to speak again.

"I haven't thought it through, and I don't exactly know where we go from here, but one thing I do know is that I don't want to do any of it without you by my side. Now, and forever." She took his hand and placed the locket in his palm. "Because I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. As my husband and as my king."

She pulled her eyes up to meet his gaze. "Will you marry me, Jere?"

She watched him, but instead of the heartfelt confirmation Alera was hoping for, Jere laughed.

Her brows furrowed and she pulled her hands, and the locket, away from him. "What's so funny?"

He only shook his head and reached over for the basket.

"This is not the time for a picnic," she hissed, doing her best to reel in the same temper and emotions she had battled so much already. Even the lantern lights seemed to flicker.

"Calm down, Princess," he said softly as he settled back on the blanket in front of her, not holding a small pack in his hands.

"Then what's that?"

"This is the reason I laid out the blanket." He poured the contents into his hand to reveal a single, gold and silver-toned ring.

Alera's jaw dropped and she barely heard Jere as he began his explanation.

"I brought it to the blacksmith to see what could be done, with the daggers I received from the forest people, and this was the best he could do in the short amount of time. I know its not much, but I have every intention of replace it with something better suited for a queen and—"

She didn't let him go any further. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeeply before he could say any more.

Jere wrapped his arms around her returning that kiss with such ferocity as he laid her down on the blanket. A millennium seemed to have passed before he broke their kiss, breathless as he asked, "So is that a yes?"

She smiled and kissed him again. "You tell me."

And oh, he definitely told her. Right there on that blanket in the lantern-lit stable. For the remainder of the night and well into the next morning.