Dalinar was standing at the top of the tower, watching the sun rise. He was waiting for Jasnah. The conversation he'd had with Adolin had occupied his mind. He wanted his son to be happy and he truly believed that Shallan was the perfect wife for him. And he thought Adolin had felt the same. But something had changed. Although he could understand that dealing with Shallan's personalities wasn't easy, his son wasn't one to back away from a challenge.

The door opened and Jasnah stepped outside followed by her guards. They waited next to the door while she walked over to Dalinar. She looked around and frowned at him. "Why did you want to meet me this early and why is there no one here from Bridge Four? I assumed they were your favorite guards."

Dalinar nodded. "They are. But in this particular case I thought it best not to have them around."

She raised an eyebrow. "I'm curious to hear what led you to that decision."

Dalinar sighed. "Adolin and Shallan."

Jasnah gave him a curious look. "I'm aware that Adolin spoke to you about their marriage. And you know that I talked to Shallan. Navani must have told you. So you also know that we both denied their request. Which makes me wonder why you asked for this meeting."

"Because I want to make sure that this subject doesn't come up again in the near future. We have a war on our hands and I need my son and my Radiants focused, and a stable and united House of Kholin."

Jasnah nodded slowly. "That might be a challenge. Shallan has great potential but she can be incredibly stubborn sometimes. Do you believe that her personalities are the issue here?"

"No and yes," Dalinar said. "No, because they both knew they would have to deal with that beforehand. And yes, because I believe it's Veil causing the problem."

"Because of her attraction to the windrunner?"

Dalinar nodded. "It's humiliating for Adolin. My son is a gentle and kind man but he's also proud. I think he assumed that it would end once they were married but apparently it hasn't and it must be humiliating for him that others can see it too. I think Veil wants to pull out of the marriage because she isn't ready to let go of the captain. Radiant Shallan deserves happiness. She's played a great part in sealing our victory. But I believe her happiness lies within their marriage. I can't let Veil ruin that for her and my son."

Jasnah sighed. "They are both exceptional people. It's a shame they let their emotions ruin their potential."

Dalinar smiled. "We're not all like you, Jasnah. Not everybody is capable of switching off their feelings to focus on the goal ahead."

"Unfortunately not. How do you propose we solve this problem?"

"I believe we have two options. Either we send Stormblessed on a mission. Maybe if he's not here, Shallan will focus her attention on Adolin."

"Or," Jasnah said, "We'll find a partner for Kaladin. I've heard that Queen Fen is quite taken with him."

Dalinar raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Really? Well, I guess that's a possibility too. But my other option was to strengthen their bond for the world to see. We could all use some time to take our attention away from all the suffering. Maybe we can host a party for a weekend. Nothing too elaborate, that would be in bad taste. But a way to work on our alliance. The Almighty knows it needs some mending after Thaylen City."

Jasnah considered it. "Why not combine all of these options? We can host a party, make Adolin and Shallan the hosts as representatives of the House of Kholin, appoint Kaladin as Queen Fen's personal guard and if that isn't enough we'll send Kaladin to stay with one of our allies to help them defend their Kingdom."

Dalinar smiled. He loved how pragmatic Jasnah could be. It had been a wise choice to make her queen. "I'll talk to them."

"And I will ask Navani to send out invitations."

…..

Adolin slowly woke up. He felt warm, rested, and happy. He opened his eyes and sighed happily at the sight of Kaladin. He looked so peaceful. Adolin wished he could lay here all day but it wouldn't be long before people would start looking for him and Kaladin. He pressed a soft kiss on the man's lips. "Morning, beautiful."

Kaldin let out a soft groan before blinking his eyes open. He smiled at Adolin and tightened his hold. "Good morning, Highprince. Did you sleep well?"

"Never better," Adolin said before kissing him again. "But I'm afraid we have to get out of this bed and out of this room."

Kaladin groaned again but less happy this time. "Yeah, we probably should." He heaved himself upright. He really didn't want to leave because he highly doubted whether he would get a chance to be with Adolin again any time soon.

Adolin ran his fingers over Kaladin's back. "I want to sleep in your arms again."

Before Kaladin could answer, they were interrupted by Pattern's voice, coming from a perfect wrinkle on the bed sheet. "Brightlord Dalinar wants to meet with the Highprince."

"Storms, Pattern," Kaladin had almost summoned his Blade. "Can't you knock? Or at least make some sort of knocking sound?"

Pattern hummed in confusion. "Knock who?"

Adolin groaned. "Forget it. Thank you, Pattern. For warning us. You can go back to Shallan now."

Pattern slid off the bed sheet. He was trying out different knocking sounds as he disappeared under the door.

They quickly got dressed.

"I'll go first," Kaladin said. "Nobody will find it strange if I'm walking patrol through these hallways."

Adolin nodded and adjusted his shirt. "I'll find a way for us to meet again soon."

Kaldin smiled sadly. "I hope so." He leaned in to kiss the Highprince and stepped outside.

A few minutes later he opened the door. "It's safe. You can leave. Take the stairs on the other end. Nobody ever goes there."

Adolin hurried down the hallway. He didn't look back because he wasn't sure he would be able to resist the urge to drag Kaladin back into that room.

…

Adolin stared at his father. "So not only do you refuse my request but you want me and Shallan to be the centre of attention as the happily married couple."

Dalinar nodded. "That is exactly what I'm telling you."

"We are in the middle of a war. I think our marriage was enough celebrating for the coming year."

"I disagree," Dalinar said. "I've known from the beginning that only a unified Roshar would make it possible to win this war. And therefore we have to strengthen our unity. I don't have to tell you that the battle in Thaylen City has damaged the alliance. A strong bond between a Highprince and a Radiant is exactly the kind of symbol we need right now."

Adolin was silent as he stared out the window. After a few minutes he turned to Dalinar. "We will do as you say, father." His voice was cold and to Dalinar's surprise there was hurt instead of anger in his son's eyes.

"Thank you, son. And if it makes you feel any better, I will assign Stormblessed to Queen Fen as her personal bodyguard."

Now there was anger on Adolin's face. "Why would that make me feel better? And why Queen Fen? That woman wants Kaladin for one reason only."

Dalinar raised an eyebrow. He didn't think he'd heard Adolin call the windrunner by his first name before. "I do not want the captain to be a distraction. And another union of a Radiant and a member of a royal household will only benefit us all."

"Stormblessed will never marry her. It's insane to even consider that." Adolin felt an overwhelming urge to punch his father in his face. The man was right about Kaladin being a distraction. But not to Shallan. And the idea of having to watch Queen Fen trying to get Kaladin in her bed with his father's blessing made his blood boil.

"I think I've been called insane for too long. And it turned out I was speaking the truth after all," Dalinar said calmly.

"Not this time," Adolin threw him a glare.

"That's enough, son. You will talk to your wife. I expect the two of you to make this a success."

Without saying another word Adolin marched out of the room and slammed the door behind him.

Kaladin knew he couldn't refuse a task assigned to him by the queen herself. But Storms, did he want to. Not only because he had no clue how to politely keep Queen Fen at bay but because he really didn't want to be a part of this at all. Having to watch Adolin and Shallan as a happy couple made fighting Parshmen an appealing way to spend his time. But Jasnah's look alone was enough to know that the only option he had was to accept.

"I will guard her with my life, Brightness."

"I know you will. Queen Fen is an important ally. We want to make sure she feels very welcome, and I know she has taken a liking to you," she smiled.

Kaladin pretended not to know what she was implying. "I will keep her safe," he promised and turned to leave.

"And happy," Jasnah added before he stepped outside.

He cursed inwardly as he made his way back to Bridge Four.

Teft looked up when Kaladin walked in. "I've heard that we're in for a few days of overtime. Is that true, Kal?"

Kaladin said down, his mood worse than usual. "Yes. Apparently it's a good idea to gather everyone who might be able to help win this war within this tower."

Drehy said down next to him. "Who are we assigned to?"

"Dalinar will let you know. I'm assigned to guard Queen Fen."

Lopen joined them. "Fen? I've heard rumors she has a thing for a particular windrunner." He didn't sound very pleased. Which was remarkable since the man normally loved anything that could potentially turn into a good story.

Kaladin shook his head. "Stupid rumors, Lopen. Don't believe everything they tell you. Besides, I'm not in the least interested in Queen Fen."

"No, of course not," Lopen blurted out.

It earned him a glare from Drehy.

"Uh, I mean you're one of us. You would never be interested in a royal," Lopen quickly added.

Another, more deadly glare from Drehy.

Teft intervened. "Lopen hit his head while attempting, and of course failing, to walk on the ceiling again, Kal. Don't mind him."

Kaladin sighed. "We'll have to check every guard they bring along. I trust you all to keep everybody safe." He got up. "Teft, come with me. We need to make sure we have enough gemstones in case of an attack."

Drehy watched them walk away. "He looks more miserable than I've seen him in months."

"No wonder," Lopen sighed. "Having to fend off Queen Fen without insulting her while watching Adolin and Shallan be the happy couple." He turned to Rock who just walked in. "Hey Rock, I didn't see Kaladin this morning when I got up. Since you are always the first one to get out of bed I wondered if you'd seen him."

"No," Rock said. He looked around to check if anyone could hear them. When he found it was just the three of them he sat down and leaned over. "He didn't sleep in his own bed," he whispered. "Nor did the Highprince."

Drehy immediately turned to Lopen. "What did you do?"

"Nothing! I swear."

Rock gave a soft growl. "Keep your voice down. And no, Drehy. This time it wasn't Lopen who set it up. It was Brightness Shallan."

If Drehy hadn't been so shocked himself he probably would have laughed out loud when Lopen spit out his drink, all over Rock's shirt.