Chapter 59

I found Timothy with a glass of wine in his hand, moping around while the others danced in pairs. The sky dropped an occasional snowflake, but the festivities had no intention on account of a little cold

"Congratulations, your highness. The crown looks great on you." He said.

"Thank you, Zander." He said sadly, swishing his red wine around his glass.

"I am. I mean, I'm confused. About Galen."

"Confused about your feelings for them?"

"No, not my feelings. Just.. Galen. What do you mean when you call Galen 'them'? Is Galen not a girl?"

"From my understanding, they identify as both masculine and feminine. They don't feel to bind themselves to one or the other. They're both." I said, explaining to the best of my knowledge.

"But they're a girl?"

"They identify as both, being feminine and masculine." I repeated.

"But under their clothes. Are they a girl?"

"I don't know what's under their clothes, and that doesn't matter." I said.

"Sorry, I'm not trying to sound rude or gross.. I'm just confused. Do a lot of people feel that way?"

"Everyone's different. Some identity as multiple genders, some as none."

"How am I supposed to know who is what?"

"Ask, and be kind while doing it." I explained to him.

I remembered when I first learned how sexuality could vary. Samuel explained it to me. I remembered how confusing it was.

It felt like personal growth explaining similar topics to Timothy.

"So what do I do? Do I go talk to them?"

"We can try. Just be patient, and be kind." I nodded.

"You sound like Adler. I think you and him were really similar. You and him wojld habe really gotten along." Timothy said.

"I'm sure we would have."

We found Orion and Galen talking nearby path between two village homes. The music could still be heard.Orion had found wine for himself. Their conversation stopped upon our arrival.

"Hello, Galen." Timothy said formally.

"Hello." They said.

"Can we. Talk? I want to apologize.."

Galen looked over at me, then back at Timothy.

"Alright. We can talk." Galen said, parting ways from us.

They walked away together. We could hear Timothy apologize. Orion took a sip of his wine.

"Was Galen upset?"

"A little. But they're understanding." Orion said, pulling his cup down.

"Feels strange. I didn't even know how to explain being attracted to men last year. I feel like I've learned so much." I said.

"It sounds like you've had a lot of time to grow this past year. I know I have."

"I'm glad you found your way to us. I am grateful for your help. We would not be making progress in this war without you."

"That's not true. You would've been fine without me. You and Mavis are brilliant." He said.

"It is true. We didn't even know where to begin finding allies, then you came. You steered us in the right direction, and have been by my side every step of the way since. You say I saved you. That learning of the rebellion led you to leave.. But you saved us, too. You saved me." I said to Orion. He took another, longer drink of his cup before pulling it down.

"Zander.."

They returned , Galen appeared to have felt better. They had a smile on their face, as well as Timothy.

"That's very interesting. Thank you for sharing that with me." Timothy said to them.

The snow flow became a bit faster. Larger flakes began to fall.

"Sorry to spoil the moment, but we should begin heading back to Belmonte." I said.

"Agreed. The snow is already falling. An early winter is coming." Galen said.

"Are you sure you want to leave already? Perhaps stay until the weather clears up?" Timothy offered.

"The weather will only become harsher if we wait." Orion said.

Timothy's eyes dropped. I knew he didn't want us to leave. He didn't want to be alone.

"It will be alright, Timothy. You will be a great king, and your advisors are here to help you."

"Thank you. For everything. I gathered some food supplies, and I'll send someone out to Belmonte with more soon." Timothy said.

"You are all welcome here anytime." Timothy said, smiling at Galen.

"Thank you, your highness." I said.

We completed our final farewell's before leaving. Timothy walked us to the palace gates, releasing us west.

The snow continued to fall down upon us through the night. We rode closely, attempting to not lose each other in the cold darkness. My gloved hands had gotten stiff from the grips on my reigns.

I wanted to ask Galen about Timothy.

"King Timothy seems to fancy you." I said..

For a moment, Galen was quiet. They tightened their grip on the reins.

"How do you feel about that?" I asked.

"Strange." They said.

"How so?"

"He tries to understand me. That's more than many do. He seems kind. But, I am unsure."

"You've only met him once. You don't have to know right now."

"It just seems like everyone knows where they are and where they are supposed to be. I don't."

"Figuring out things takes time. I hated Samuel at first. Turns out my gut was right. I guess that's a poor example."

"No, not at all. I'll give it time. Thank you. It's just, I lived alone for so long. I bounced from place to place. Everyone thought I was a strange witch. I never thought I would even consider anyone to be a partner. I never thought I wouldn't be alone."

"You won't be alone again, you have us. You will always have friends, and we are grateful to have you with us."

The snow had stopped by morning. It melted fast upon layering on the ground.

We had returned to Belmonte after cold travel. It was by far one of the longest journeys we had endured. My whole body shivered. Orion and Galen were in a similar state.

The snowfall stuck stronger in Belmonte. The ground appeared to be dusted with sugar. My toes and fingertips were wet and cold, despite being shielded by layers. I craved a warm bath and dry socks.

"Zander! You're finally home!" Mavis had the gates open and greeted us. It was like she had been hovering the gate for a while.

She wore a cloak and scarf over her soft blue dress. Her hair was braided.

"Were you waiting outside?" I asked.

"Can you blame me? My husband is finally home." She smiled at me.

"Can you take their horses, please?" Mavis asked a guard. They nodded and obeyed.

We followed her into the Belmonte castle.

She squeezed me into a tight embrace upon entering. The warmth from her body to mine felt like a heat exchange.

"I was worried for you. Charles told me that you left Naporia to go to Dewsbury. It's such a long journey."

"It was. Galen and Orion did fantastic."

"Thank you for all your efforts. I truly appreciate it." Mavis turned to them.

"It's the least I can do." Orion said.

"Where is everyone?" I asked for an update on everyone's status.

"Johnny should be back soon. She is in Naporia, training soldiers. Charles has been with Queen Lapis in Naporia. They are said to be arriving soon as well." Mavis said.

"Daniel? Is he here?" I asked.

"Yes. He's been very vigorous at training. He says most of our soldiers are ready for battle, from Belmonte and Lafayette. Did you make any new allies? Or simply piss everyone off?" She said.

Orion's eyes crossed through the throne room, where the occasional individual would walk by.

"Not here. Let's go somewhere else." Orion said.

Mavis summoned Daniel to join us. We all sat across the large table that we would use for planning our endeavors.

I told them everything. How we went to Naporia and were attacked. I told them how I was hurt and stuck in Naporia for several weeks. Then, went to Dewsbury. Only to find no king, but a castle full of pirates. I showered her the page of the book we discovered on the pirates ship. I told her about Darlington, and its new king.

Several hours had passed by the time we were done filling them in on our adventures.

"Wow. That's a lot. It sounds like we have a strong change now, correct?" Macis said.

I looked at Orion, our war master.

"I believe so. The desert dragon told Zander the key to the undead dragon would be the connection. If we had two dragons on our side, I don't know if we could be stopped. Where we do fall weak is on army, and supplies."

"Are the people from Belmonte, Lafayette, and Naporia not enough?" Mavis asked.

"Vendov is the largest kingdom, with the highest population. Combine that with Salkon, a wealthy kingdom that produces weapons, and the Mullis Islands, who have a dragon and wealth.."

"Still not the best odds. I understand." Mavis said.

"I think the dragon is our best chance. Darlington said they would support us, but training soldiers from there may take too long. We can request other resources, like food and clothes to take care of our army. Timothy sent some with us, and he said he would be sending someone with more." Explained Orion.

"I think we need to make the first move and take out one of Vendov's strongest allies. Salkon." Orion continued.

"Salkon was a fortress before the war. I don't know how we'd get through." Daniel said.

"The mountains. We go through the mountains. The terrain is rugged, but I don't think they would expect us that way."

"The mountains are more dangerous than that. It is said to have powers, to mess with your mind." I told him.

"It's the best way to get to Salkon. Unless you want to knock on their doorstep, which would be instant end game for us." Orion said.

"I agree. I think going for Salkon is a strong approach. We should also do it sooner than later. It's only going to get colder. I don't want my soldiers dying from frostbite if we can avoid it." Daniel said.

"This seems risky." Mavis said.

"We can't play defense forever. We need to strike. I think we finally have enough people and resources to do so." Orion said.

"I think doing it sooner would be best as well." Galen said in their soft tone.

Their eyes turned towards me. I was ready for the war to end. I was ready to go into battle and defeat Samuel. I was waiting for revenge for over a year. He promised the next time he saw me he would certainly kill me. We would see about that.

"I agree. We will go to Salkon, then. When Johnny returns, we can make plans with her and her soldiers." I said.

The meeting adjourned. Galen left, followed by Daniel.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Mavis asked me.

"I think it's the right time for it. I think our soldiers are ready."

She took a deep breath.

"Alright. I may spend the night with Opal. She's been more fussy lately."

"Is she alright?" I asked.

"I think so. The doctors said she is fine, just her teeth coming in. Goodnight, my king."

She left and headed toward the nursery. I began heading to my  quarters. My cold body craved a steaming hot bath and a toasty nights sleep.

"Zander. Are you going to bed?" Orion asked, stopping me on my way to my chambers."

"Going to bathe and change first into something less damp." I said.

"After that.. Would you like to come to my chambers? I wanted to talk to you about something. I have something to say that I didn't get the chance to say in Darlington." His eyes dropped down to his dagger.

My heart flipped on it's side.

"Yes. Yes. We can do that. Just let me bathe. I'll stop by after. I promise." said.

"Alright! See you in a bit then." His ember eyes lit up, his face glowed with a smile. He walked fast to his room.

I wondered what he wanted to discuss it with me. Was it about war? If it was, why didn't he say it before?

Perhaps it was about more. I thought of the warm embrace we had in Darlington, the bed we shared in Naporia. The dance we shared in the snow.

Perhaps he did care for me as I did him. Perhaps if he didn't, I should share my feelings for him?

My heart flipped back into place.

Perhaps it was a bad idea. Perhaps it meant nothing.

Either way, I was determined to find out.

While walking back to my chambers, I planned what I was going to wear. Would night clothes be too informal? What scent should I bathe in? I thought. Lavender or lemon? Perhaps vanilla?

Orion seemed like he'd like vanilla.

I opened my chamber doors, eager to see Orion. My head was lost in the thought of him and the embrace of his. I began unbuttoning my shirt, thinking about the hot vanilla bath ahead, and all the wonderful things that could happen after it.

"Hello, Princey."