I opened my eyes to the glaring summer sunlight. It had been two months since the defeat of the High Lord Sethon. What was left of the Resistance had made their way to the Imperial Palace. We left the destruction of the Eastern Plains behind after the promise of a large sum of money to help the widows of fallen soldiers that aided the Resistance.
Now, the Palace newly rebuilt from Lord Ido's rampage, my dragon gone-it still hurt to think of it- I had been lodging in the Peony Apartments just as I had when I was first chosen by the Mirror Dragon. I was still Kygo's Naiso. He had sent for me and I was to meet him as soon as I was dressed. This could be political, as were many of his calls in the last month, but I had an aching desire to spend a few solitary moments with him.
I rolled out of bed. I had not had the inclination to get another body servant after Rilla, so I had to dress myself after a quick bath. I was eager to see Kygo. Styling my hair was hard to do myself, but instead of choosing something elaborate, I just twisted it into a loose braid at the base of my skull. I looked at the gowns that had been set out after my arrival. None of them suited me, instead I settled for the unrestricting movement of leggings and a tunic.
The Emperor had requested my presence in one of the gardens near the Royal Apartments. As I approached, Kygo approached me. That made me a little nervous. What was going on?
"Eona," he said.
"Your Majesty," I say, bowing.
"Kygo," he corrected me. "Please, sit." He indicated a small table set off in the corner of the small courtyard. Kygo had invited me to breakfast. I smiled. Maybe he also wanted some time alone together.
After the meal, Kygo started to look quite nervous. "Eona," his hand went to the hollow of his throat where the Pearl used to be. "I… love you. And…" The next words came out in a rush. "Eona, will you marry me?"