Going Home
After you’d gotten cleaned up and changed into the outfit, you, Evan and Regulus walked back out to James and Lily. The three of you were laughing and you felt more at ease than you had since your father passed.
Evan was holding the bag with your very few possessions. You were so happy as you reached James and Lily. You were now wearing cleaner clothes for the journey. James held one of his arms open and you hugged him before moving to stand beside him. He kissed the top of your head. You felt yourself smile.
The women had been sent inside. You let out a sigh of relief, knowing you didn’t have to live that life again and hopefully never had to see them again.
“Prince James,” you said, gaining his attention.
He looked down at you. “You can just call me James, love.” He cupped your cheek, lifting your face up so he could kiss you.
When he pulled back, your eyes were closed and you were smiling. When your eyes fluttered open, you looked into his beautiful hazel eyes. “Ok, James.” You giggled. With his hand still on your cheek, you lifted your hand to hold his as you leaned into his touch. “I don’t care what happens to them. But I never want to see them again or have to acknowledge them as my family.”
“As you told us that first night, you have no family.” James paused. “You can choose your own family. It’s what a lot of the people who work for us did and now we consider them family.”
You felt tears in your eyes. “I like that. Maybe your family can become mine too.”
“I’m sure they’d love that.” He kissed your forehead, before leading you over to the horses.
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You were so happy as you rode on the horse with James on your way to the castle. You’d never ridden a horse before, much less been near one. They were so beautiful.
You leaned against James with your arms around his waist, facing Lily who was riding next to both of you. You smiled over at her.
“Love, look,” she said and you looked up to where she was pointing. “We’re home.”
“Home,” you whispered to yourself. You hadn’t had a home in years, not really. You had a place you lived but it definitely had not been home, not to you.
You smiled as James moved one of his hands down to yours squeezing it slightly before moving back to hold the reins. “Yes, love. Welcome home.”
Tears started pooling in your eyes and you kissed James’ shoulder. “Thank you, my prince.” You were so happy that all of this happened and they found you.