Final Chapters

Entering the final chapters of Crown Restored! Which means im closer to releasing Damaris and Huck for everyone to join them on their journey. Here is a small scene for everyone to enjoy. 

Damaris placed her hands on the window ledge and looked out at the village. It was still early, so most everyone was still asleep. Usually, this was one of her favorite times of the day, but not today. This wasn’t the first time she was meeting her people, but this time felt heavy. The weight pressed on her neck and shoulders. No matter how much she tilted her head from side to side, it didn’t relieve the pressure. 

Another worry flittered through her thoughts. She was sure she had everything she needed on Julien, but what if she didn’t? He could have more support than she knew. 

“Couldn’t sleep?” 

Turning, Damaris saw Nancy walking toward her. 

“You know I don’t sleep much,” Damaris said as she leaned against the window ledge. “Besides, I needed to gather my thoughts before meeting the villagers and farmers.” 

“They want to see you and know you’ll remember them when you’re queen,” Nancy said as she sat in the pew closest to the window. “There’s something else worrying you.” 

“You always could read me like a book,” Damaris said. 

She looked down at her fingers before shoving them in her pockets. “I’m worried about Julien.” 

“He’s still in Larmirs,” Nancy said without hesitation. 

The woman kept tabs on anyone of interest, especially those Damaris took an interest in. Or anyone involved with Julien. It was one reason she worried about Nancy. If Julien ever found out about Nancy, he would deal with the nun in ways that Damaris didn’t want to think about or even process. 

“Close to Parliament,” Damaris said. 

Julien lived in the palace. In her parents’ house. The man who killed his brother and sister-in-law lived in their house. A place he hadn’t lived before her parents’ deaths. 

Julien moved out of the palace when her parents married and moved back in when they died. It was one of the few things Parliament couldn’t deny him. 

“You know it’s handled. Now, why don’t you tell me what’s really going on inside that head of yours? Is it Huck?” Nancy asked with her hands folded in her lap. 

“Huck? No,” Damaris said, shaking her head. “I’m not worried about him.” 

Huck could take care of himself. He’d proven it time and again. The man was a soldier and a man of action, and he could handle anything Julien threw at him. 

“Because you’re in love with him.”