-Prior-
Prior hadn't slept well. She had nightmares, and when she was awake, she kept thinking about Kashion's parents and an uncertain future in the palace. When the sun finally rose and the light streamed through the window, she sat up in bed. She looked out the window at the sea. She took a deep breath, then lay back down again, but this time facing the sea. Everything here was so beautiful and peaceful. No negotiations, no kidnappings.
Eventually, she got up and freshened up.
When she was done, she opened her room door. At first, there was no sign of him. But then she saw him further down the hallway. He was eating an apple. When he saw her, he immediately came over.
"Sleep well?" he asked.
Prior didn't answer and simply said, "I don't know if I can go back. If I even want to. Here…"
"I have to tell you something," he interrupted. He looked at her seriously. She hadn't even known he was capable of such seriousness. Then he looked down.
"I'm sorry," he continued. "But I kept something from you."
Prior's heart started beating faster, and fear crept in. Please no, she thought. She trusted Zho—he wouldn't have betrayed her, would he?
He pressed his lips together before speaking. "Wanyi wrote me something else yesterday. But… I didn't tell you. I probably should have… But if—"
"What is it?" Prior asked impatiently. For a moment, she feared she might no longer be wanted at the palace.
Zho looked at her and smiled. "When Prince Kashion saw that the transporter had taken off, he tried to call it back. When that failed, he ordered a spaceship to be prepared. He wanted to fly after you and…"
Prior's vision blurred slightly, and a rushing sound filled her ears. She started breathing faster, and a chill ran through her. Then she looked at Zho. "He wanted to fly to Saturn?" She couldn't believe it.
Zho nodded emphatically. "Yes, and he would have even given up his regency and—"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Prior was completely shaken. Kashion would have flown after her? And she? She had told him she wanted to be alone. She needed to get to him as quickly as possible.
Before Zho could answer, she said, "We have to leave immediately." She headed outside toward the hover.
Once they were inside, Zho said, "I thought a quiet, free day would do you good after everything. And I was afraid that if I told you, you'd want to leave right away and—"
"Of course. Drive as fast as you can."
Zho shook his head, but he grinned. "We won't even need an hour."
-Kashion-
Kashion had slept poorly. The whole day kept replaying in his mind. And over and over, he had asked himself what he would do if Prior didn't want to come back. He couldn't force her… could he?
He felt relieved when he later received a message from Zho. They were on their way. It wouldn't take long now.
Kashion had changed clothes three times. Too casual. Too formal. Now he was simply wearing a loose dark-blue shirt and dark trousers.
As soon as they were only a few minutes away, he waited in front of the palace. He had told Zho to use the public entrance. He had also sent Kassia and Lina away, even though they had wanted to wait with him. He wanted to see Prior alone.
Finally, the hover arrived. He was so nervous, as if he hadn't seen her in ages. Almost like he was waiting for some rare phenomenon.
-Prior-
Before they got out, Prior said, "I'm scared. What if I see the king?"
Zho smiled. "What do you have to be afraid of? Just remind yourself that you jumped from 50,000 meters. Then you can handle this small thing—facing the king."
That made Prior laugh.
-Kashion-
The hover door opened, and Kashion's breathing quickened. First, a man stepped out—that must be Zho. He looked much smaller and more slender than Kashion had expected. Then Prior stepped out. At first, she didn't see him. She and Zho seemed to be talking. And they were almost the same height—and even wearing the same clothes, Kashion noticed.
Zho gave a thumbs-up, and Kashion was just about to call out to get her attention. Then Prior turned her head in his direction and saw him. She stopped.
Kashion's breathing quickened even more.
Prior took a step toward him. Too slow.
Kashion ran forward, and when he reached her, he threw his arms around her.
-Prior-
Kashion hugged her so tightly it almost hurt. At first, she just stood there, but then she returned the embrace, placing her hands on his back. It felt so good. She couldn't help it—tears welled up.
"Oh, Prior," Kashion said.
She sniffed and then asked in a trembling voice, "You would have flown to Saturn for me?"
She felt him laugh. "Of course."
Then she noticed his grip loosen slightly, and suddenly he lifted her off the ground. He was holding her in his arms—carrying her!
She was startled. "Kashion, put me down!" she said.
He looked at her and shook his head. "Hold on."
"No, put me down!"
Suddenly, it felt as if he might drop her, and instinctively she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
"There we go," he said with a teasing smile. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes.
She hit him lightly on the shoulder. "You're impossible."
"Ow!" he gasped dramatically, squeezing his eyes shut.
Had she hit him too hard? "Did I hurt you? I'm sorry—" Then he started laughing.
Prior shook her head. Truly impossible.
He walked a few steps, glancing at her again and again.
"I'm not injured. I can walk by myself," she said.
"I know. But I want everyone to see that you're the woman I want in the palace. The woman I carry into it."
A flutter spread through her chest again, and she let her gaze wander across the square. There were indeed people around. He wanted them to see her?
"The men who kidnapped you have been dismissed. The pilot will be punished," he said.
She nodded.
"My father… I'll leave it to you what you want to do."
"Oh." She had no idea what she wanted to do. The fact that he had taken care of everything touched her deeply.
She looked at him. His face was so close to hers. She could clearly see the stubble on his cheeks. The tiny flecks of color in his eyes. And it felt incredibly good to be carried by him. She wasn't heavy, but she wasn't weightless either—and he carried her effortlessly. He really was strong.
A thought crossed her mind, and she smiled. He was like gravity—pulling her in, keeping her on Earth.
"Don't look at me like that," he suddenly said.
"Hm?"
"If you look at me like that, I won't be able to keep walking—or I'll trip."
And as he said that, he looked at her—his eyes like magnets.
Prior lowered her gaze.
Kashion kept walking silently, and she hadn't even noticed they had taken the elevator.
Suddenly, they stood in front of a door, and Kashion gently set her down. Not feeling his closeness as intensely anymore almost hurt.
Prior looked around. "Where are we?"
He smiled. "We're standing in front of your new room."
"New room?"
"I thought it was appropriate. I hope it suits your taste. And…" he paused briefly, "Lina's room is next door."
That sounded good.
"But before you go into your room," he said, looking at her expectantly.
"Hm?"
"I solved your riddle."
Riddle? Which riddle? Ah—now she remembered. "Oh really?"
He nodded confidently. "It was far too easy. Next time, I'll need something more difficult."
She raised an eyebrow. "And what's the solution?"
"I shine like SUNLITE."
Prior laughed and clapped her hands.
"So now I get my reward?"
"Reward?" What had he wanted again?
He smiled mischievously, then leaned down slightly and tapped his cheek with his finger.
Ah, right. A kiss.
She laughed and leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek. But at the exact moment her lips would have touched his cheek, he turned his head—and instead, she kissed his lips.
She froze in shock, feeling like an army of insects in her stomach was throwing grenades.
She pulled back, staring at him. For a moment, her breath caught—but then her heart was pounding wildly.
He just grinned, leaned in again—and before she could react, he kissed her on the lips once more.
She stared at him—and suddenly heard someone clear their throat.
They both turned to the side, where Lina was standing.
Lina smiled. "Do you want to see your new room?" she asked.
Prior nodded. She still felt as if she were in a trance.
-Kashion-
Of all moments, Kashion thought.
But he had gotten his reward—and the blush on Prior's face was simply enchanting. He could hardly take his eyes off her.
He would never let her go again.