Where the Storm Lulls Ch. 14
"You don't have to do this, Eady." Kile whispered into Eadlyn's ear as they leaned against the wall, Cloe at their feet.
"I do," she said, carding her fingers through his hair, "If I don't then Kaden has to or the politicians will take over…Kaden would make a great king. If he was trained early enough. And he hasn't. Kaden was never trained to be king and…No. I need to do this."
Kile nodded, "I'll be by your side every step of the way."
She nodded, digging her head into his shoulder, "I know that now, "she whispered.
"You good?" Queen America said, straightening Eadlyn's dress.
"Yeah. I might throw up but…"
"You'll do fine," her mother comforted.
Eadlyn just nodded as Kile came up to her, Cloe in his arms. She smiled, a real smile, when he stood in front of her. "I guess I can't call you a spoiled princess now, can I?"
"No. I guess you can't," Eadlyn replied.
He grabbed her hand, "You're okay. You may not think you are, but you are. You're going to be a great queen."
Eadlyn just nodded (and, you know, what else was she supposed to do?) and took her place behind the double doors, where the people were gathered to watch the coronation.
It flew by for Kile, just a split second and Eadlyn had gone from an eighteen year old girl to a queen with the world on her shoulders.
As she turned around, facing the audience and King Maxon (Ex King Maxon) pronounced her the queen of Illea, Kile knew that Eadlyn was confronting the many politicians in the room, scowling at her and their missed opportunity of rule.
It was about one in the morning when the guests had finally left the castle, and Eadlyn's family was gathered around a small table. The minute the last guest had left, Eadlyn had swept off her crown and taken a long swig of vodka, eyes watering from the sting of it. She sat down next to Kile, her legs in his lap with Cloe laying down below her.
"So, I guess the next thing they'll be expecting is a wedding," Aunt May said and Eadlyn took another swig.
"Can we wait, like, a week before we start planning another huge change in my life?" she asked.
Aunt May looked at her, and then Kile, "Well, I don't think it will be a huge change for you, Eadlyn. Then, you wouldn't have to sneak Kile into your room late at night."
"May!" Queen, no, Lady America (she had rejected any other title) scolded her little sister.
"What?! It's true!" she turned back to her niece, "Could you think of marrying someone else, Eadlyn?"
"I've tried to stop myself from thinking of marrying anyone." Eadlyn replied, looking at her empty glass.
"No," Kile said simply, grabbing the glass out of her hand and putting it and the liquor away from her.
But, Aunt May remained adamant, "Yes, dear. But you have to. It's in the job description."
When Kile walked Eadlyn to her room, he didn't expect her to let him in. She wasn't drunk, not by a long shot ("Nothing like talking about a wedding after your coronation to make you sober," she had said.) so he didn't feel bad about coming in, but he was surprised none the less. Eadlyn had just been called out for having him sneak into her room, yet, here she was, allowing him in yet again.
He tried to speak, but she put a finger to his lips, "Talk later. I need you."
"Eadlyn. You may still be drunk."
She laughed, kissing him lightly before showing him her hands as she touched each of her fingers to her thumbs.
"Are you really showing me that you can pass a drunk test?" he laughed.
She joined him, "Yep. Now, your queen commands you to get in bed."
"Eady," Kile groaned, trying to stay in control.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard, "I love it when you talk dirty."
Kile picked her up, her legs immediately hooking onto his hips and planted her solidly onto the bed, "Honestly, what is it with your nickname fetish?"
Eadlyn kissed him in reply, a deep, searing kiss that went down to Kile's bones, "I love you."
He smiled down at her, "I love you, too."
Kile knew Eady liked this part just as much as the rest of the night, the silent calm and rest that came with being this close with someone you love. She didn't say it, but Kile knew it (maybe it was the way she sighed when he ran his hand up and down her arm or the way she snuggled closer every five minutes, as if she could crawl into his skin and lay herself on his heart).
Eadlyn had been quiet for a long time, relishing in the act that continuously brought them closer, before she shifted to look up at him, "When it's time, will you marry me?"
Kile smiled at her, a little shocked by her question, but, of course, answering straight away, "Nothing would make me happier."
The End.