Chloe's POV
Every step further from the beach felt as if I had left a part of myself there. The quiet lapping of the waves and the warmth of Chris's touch in this tranquil place had shown me glimpses of life with him—a life without crowns and threats. And here we were, trudging back into the world, bent on tearing us apart.
I clenched my grip on Chris's hand, feeling strength from the solid, familiar warmth of his fingers intertwined with mine. The words from the parchment were in my head and threw a shadow on everything that passed through it. "Return to Celavia, or her head will be ours." This felt like ice in my veins, yet being around Chris steadied me.
As we approached the town outskirts, Chris stopped and looked at me sternly. "Once we get back to Celavia, we'll find out who is behind this. I won't let them get away with threatening you.".
His protectiveness had stirred something fierce inside me, but I also felt the gravity of the situation. "I'm with you, Chris, always. But we need to be careful. Whoever did this isn't just a petty schemer! They're bold enough to come for us even when we're hidden."
He nodded, the fire in his eyes softening for a moment as he looked at me. "We'll figure it out. Together."
Chris's POV
The return journey to Celavia was tense. Chloe was a steady presence beside me, her strength a constant reassurance. But the dread I felt hadn't loosened its grip. Whoever was after her was willing to risk coming into our most private space—a threat like this was more than a simple warning. It was personal.
As we stepped onto the grounds of the castle, my thoughts ran a mile on where to take the next turn. The guards looked straight at us in recognition mixed with amazement; I called Tomas, head guard, into my study.
We needed to take off, moving silently but not drawing attention to Chloe. No way could I let my eyes leave her until things were explained.
When Tomas arrived, I briefed him on the note. He read it wordlessly. His face darkened even further.
"An open threat like this is not to be taken lightly," Tomas whispered softly, flicking his eyes toward Chloe. "We will increase the guard but have to research this discreetly so not to create a stir. I'll start making an inquiry privately. Our informants might know something about this.".
Chloe turned to Tomas, her expression fixed but fingers wriggling slightly, betraying the tension. "Thanks, Tomas. Clearly, whoever did this wants to use me to get to Celavia's throne. But we can't let them think they've scared us into submission."
I nodded, determination flaring anew in my chest. "Exactly. We'll keep on as usual, but I want your eyes on any potential threats.".
Tom was walking out, and I turned to Chloe, watching as my racing pulse seemed to slow with her steady regard. "You are so brave," I whispered, finding it impossible to keep any hint of admiration from seeping into my voice.
A small smile curved her lips. "I have to be. For you. For us."
Chloe
The days that followed became a delicate dance between doing my duty and being vigilant-for on the surface, after all, I had council to attend to and a sovereign to serve-but beneath lay a poignancy born of the lingering gaze and familiar faces that seemed alien.
Chris too was always on tenterhooks though trying to camouflage the same. His watchfulness took stronger shades, and he barely left my sight. It was beautiful but also a cause of concern for me. He was carrying all so much, burdening a weight which wasn't wholly his.
One evening, as we were sitting by the fire in his study, I reached out and took his hand, hoping to give him a little of the comfort that he always so readily extended to me. "Chris, you don't have to do this alone. We're in this together, remember?"
He looked at me, a wearied look yet thankful. "I know, Chloe. But I could not help but think about anyone causing you harm. I would do anything in my power to protect you, even if it was at the expense of facing that threat head-on myself."
His words were dripping with stern intensity, and my heart inside began to ache. "You are the strength of my life, Chris," he said, "and I feel that I am not able to see you suffer all this pain in silence anymore. Let me share your burden. Let me be strong enough for it all.".
He seemed to hesitate, then nodded his head, his shoulders easing a little. "You've always been stronger than I could have imagined," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Alright, we'll face this together. But promise me, if anything feels wrong, you'll tell me immediately."
"I promise."
The Next Morning
As the sun was just starting to peek over the kingdom, an unsettled atmosphere seemed to permeate everything. There were stories of a poisoned close advisor and shadowy figures wandering the grounds of the castle. Tomas and the guards redoubled their efforts, but this enemy proved all too eager to do whatever it took in order to win.
We met in the council chamber, where before us lay a map of Celavia. Chris stood beside me, speaking to the council members of the recent threats, his voice even but carrying an edge of authority that made them listen.
One of his advisors, Lord Davian, leaned in and frowned. "Someone willing to strike this close to the crown must be very convincing. Have you thought maybe this is more than one attack on a kingdom and its people?"
Chris nodded. "Very much a possibility. But that does not mean the people can't know in advance all the while trying to help them stay protected and stay in the dark about that.".
As we continued brainstorming, I felt my mind drift to the beach, and the serenity I had then. I started to realize that perhaps we would never be able to let go of our pressures completely, but with Chris by my side, I could certainly face the storms.
Later That Night
We were tired when finally allowed to return to our quarters. Chris closed the door behind us, taking a deep breath and putting a shoulder against the door frame. I walked across, running my fingers along the sharp angle of his jaw line in an attempt to soften the tension that seemed to have built up around this day.
"Thank you, for everything," he said softly, his eyes soft and gentle as he pulled me close. "I know it's not the life we'd imagined, but with you, it's worth every struggle."
I smiled against his chest, letting my head rest there, where the warmth of his arms would ease the worry within my heart. "I'll be alright as long as we have each other."
He held me close to him almost as if protecting the world from what was inside the rest of us. In that quiet of our chamber, it was our ties again which led us out with a glowing spark.
This is enough love for now together we face everything ahead of us-the enemies and all in his mind and in my head-a bond toward that kingdom we loved, protecting it from the others and in addition, we would not hurt each other again.