Chapter 18: One Is All You Need

Violet tightened the straps on her quiver. The gold-tipped arrows seemed bland beneath the cloud cover. A storm loomed on the horizon—it had been there, threatening to drench the capital, since Chione pulled Eden into her wedding planning. But the dreary day matched Violet's feelings about sharing duties with Florian.

They were in a cleared-out, three-story market, waiting for the royal procession to pass by. King Eden and Queen Chione were making their way through the capital so the people had a chance to see the couple firsthand. Violet and Florian were on hawk-eye duty, sequestering themselves on the roof while the streets below teemed with eager citizens.

Violet watched Florian slip his bow into the sheath on his back. She hated sharing anything with him, but she couldn't deny his archery skills.

"So, you're really going to do this?" she asked.

He ran his fingers through his hair as he turned to her, reaching down to lace his boots. "Get dressed? Yeah, I think I will."

"I mean serv