him here for his own good… he now understood. His father knew that Aricin wanted to rule a kingdom. Now he was. He hadn’t been thankful at first but as the days passed that changed, and taking care of Asya in her illness made him more so.

Aricin closed his eyes. “Thank you, Father. Thank you,” he whispered in the darkness with a quiet voice so he wouldn’t wake Asya. She needed her sleep, and so did he. He felt his heart beat softly in his chest. The events of the day filled his mind. He had woken, hoping to continue the routine he and Asya did daily and instead heard she was sick and spent the day with her in their chambers thinking and wanting to change not just himself and their relationship but to do it for the better of everyone.

Hearing Asya’s voice – though weak – warmed him. He wanted now, more than ever, to try and form some kind of relationship with her.

The feeling spread through his heart and body. It felt good and right.