Buzzing filled Iona’s head as confusion spilled across the room, shortly followed by denial.

Theron responded to his son with a defensive laugh, “You know Heston, jokes are meant to be funny. And I believe you brought us here to announce your engagement.”

“You don’t mean that, Hes,” claimed Leo, waiting for his brother to recant. Iona said nothing, already understanding that not only was Heston serious, but that she’d been too caught up in her own world to see the signs.

“It’s not a joke, Father. I’ve fallen in love. His name is Kono, and he is the best person I’ve ever met; he’s kind and compassionate and gallant. I intend to spend my life with him.” Heston’s cagy behavior, the hidden notes, secretive trips, the riding cloak…it was never Jessa, Iona realized. How could I have been so blind?

“What does this all have to do with renouncing your title?” Leo asked, palpable distress in his voice.

His brother looked his way, “We can’t have children. It would be selfish and irresponsible to ascend to the throne without the ability to continue our family line.” His voice didn’t waiver, his hands remained still at his sides. The finality with which Heston spoke jumped at Iona- he had clearly given this decision considerable thought.

An exasperated sigh came from Theron, “Heston, I admire your…chivalry, but there’s absolutely no need to abdicate. You can still marry a suitable wife to produce an heir, and continue your relationship with this man. Move him into the palace for all I care. You wouldn’t be the first or the last king to marry for duty and love another.” Iona could see Leo cringe at his father’s suggestion, his hands digging into the leather seat, but kept her stare straight ahead as she figured out what she could even say to all this.

Heston turned to his father with disgust coloring his face and tone, “I will not disrespect him like that. I am giving up my claim to the throne and moving to Chrysomar, as soon as my effects are in order.”

“Stop this foolishness right now, Heston,” Theron hissed, pushing himself out of his chair with any strength he could muster. Leo and Iona stood, as well, and Iona could feel his gaze begging for her to get involved. How could she encourage Heston to listen to his father, knowing he would be miserable? But she couldn’t argue with the King- she was his Commander, her duty was to the crown.

“Heston,” she managed, “Maybe there’s some sort of compromise here, there’s no need to leave right away.”

“Exactly,” Leo added, stepping towards his brother, “We can find a solution.”

“No,” Heston replied, leaving no room for argument, “I know what it’s like to be raised by parents without love for each other. To be the child borne of duty. So do you, Leo. I thought that was my future, but now, I have something real. I’m sorry, father, but I’ve made my decision.”

“Get out, Heston. Get OUT!” Theron cried, hurt and outrage overwhelming him. Heston’s eyes were glassy, but he maintained his stony facade as he turned and exited the room without another word. Leo rushed to his father’s side and helped him lower into his seat. The buzzing was back, crowding out every thought in Iona’s mind. She didn’t want to face this reality. She wasn’t ready, everything was going so right…

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“Commander?”

Iona’s attention snapped back to the King, his voice slicing through her fog. “Yes, sir, sorry.”

“Now that Heston has chosen to abandon his duty and this family,” he spat through gritted teeth, “Leo, we will need to start preparing you for your coronation. I fear the chances of you marrying before I pass are slim, but Commander, you can assist in finding some suitable options for my son to consider.”

Leo half smiled, meeting Iona’s gaze, “Well, actually, Father, we have-”

“-Of course, your majesty,” Iona cut in, “I’ll get started right away.” She couldn’t stand the way Leo’s face shifted from heartened to crestfallen. She felt her chest constricting; there was no air left in the room for Iona to breathe. With a sharp bow, Iona spun to the door and escaped to the hall, desperate for some fresh air. Everything was crashing down at once like waves conjured by the ocean solely to drown her. Iona could hear Leo calling her name, but she couldn’t stop her feet running from that room, that conversation, that reality.

“Iona!” Leo rasped, his hand closing around her arm and yanking her back to face him, “Stop. Please, don’t run away, we need to talk about this.”

“What is there to talk about, Leo?” she shot, frustrated with herself for being so harsh, but she couldn’t help it.

“I was going to tell him, WE were going to tell him! Why did you stop me?” His anguish cut Iona with every word, small slices that would amount to her bleeding out, she was sure of it.

“Were you not in that room? Did you miss the fact that you’re about to be king?”

“I didn’t miss that nor the fact that you agreed to find me a wife instead of telling my father we’re together already!”

“Things have changed! Everything’s changed!” she rejoined. Leo’s shoulders slumped, as though Iona was draining the little fight he had in him. “I can’t be queen.”

His throat bobbed, “Why not?”

She tried to quell the flare of offense she felt, “I would have to give up my command, Leo. All I’ve ever worked for.”

His eyes flickered around as if he could find the right answer floating somewhere around them. “That’s…not true. I’d be king. You could still be High Commander.”

Iona straightened her spine, pushing Leo to understand and admit to the truth they now faced.

“And you’d send me to war?” she asked, the question hurting herself and Leo all the same.

“The war is over!”

Aggravated, pained, Iona kept arguing, “There could be another! And if I’m High Commander, my duty is to be out there fighting for our people. As Queen, I..I can’t. Leo, I can’t.” Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

If Leo was fighting back his own tears, he was losing. “Iona,” he lamented, “Don’t do this.”

“Commander!” Iona’s head turned at the call to see a guard rushing towards her. “The hostile camp has been found, Sir Espelor sent word. You’re needed immediately.”

“Prepare Tower, send word I’m on my way,” she ordered.

“Prepare Corso, as well,” Leo called.

“No!” Iona snapped before the guard disappeared, “Tower only.” She turned back to face her love, the dam she held up against her tears breaking. “As sole heir to the throne, you are no longer allowed on the front lines.” Everything in Leo seemed to plead for her to change her mind, but there was no room for argument anymore. “I will send word as soon as I can…Prince Leonon.” Her tone twisted the knife she’d driven into his chest; as she turned to leave the palace, she wished she could pull it out and plunge into her own, too.