Before leaving, Addison turned to Mary, her voice gentler now. "Once you're done here, come with the Royal Beta and find me, alright?"
"I will. Thank you, Princess, and have a safe journey," Mary replied with a bright nod, watching as the carriages began to roll away, their forms slowly fading into the distance. Addison and her three fated mates shared a single carriage, while Archmage Elric and his mages occupied the three behind them, the small convoy moving steadily toward home.
Only now did the tension in Addison's shoulders begin to ease. The pressure slowly slipped away, and before she even realized it, sleep claimed her. Her head tilted, coming to rest against Zion's shoulder.
Zion stilled when he noticed. For a moment, he simply watched her, then, carefully, he shifted. One arm slid around her as he gently pulled her closer, guiding her onto his lap so she could rest more comfortably.
