Return

My biggest regret was not being able to finish out Renat and Mairwen within the scope of the main book. So here are a bonus chapters about our beloved couple and their relationship progress. I couldn't leave them how they were before volume 4 began. I hope you enjoy!-NobleQueeenBee

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Renat was nervous to come back after so long an absence. While he had written with the princess consistently, a year apart was still a long time.

"What if she doesn't like who you have become?" The question was one of the last things a scholar had asked him before he left. Renat had pushed aside the idea.

In his time at the university, he had studied and learned more from other scientists than he ever could have hoped. And they esteemed him also, giving him the due amount of respect for his genius.

Renat had gained some confidence while directing the building of the ballista and other weapons in the Drifting Dunes. However, having the scholars acknowledge his contributions was what finally convinced him that he should know his own worth.

With this confidence, the young man was able to combat the voice of the scholar. "Mairwen loves me." He tilted up his chin at the thought. "And I love her. She saw my value long before I did." It was the truth and he knew it. And he had climbed in the carriage with anticipation.

Inhaling deeply now, Renat felt calm as the coach rattled along the snowy road.

He had wanted to ride a horse because it was faster and more efficient, but a royal detachment had been sent to retrieve him along with the fine carriage, and he felt ungrateful refusing.

So here the scientist bumped along mindlessly passing the time while the coachman drove. Well, not totally mindlessly. He had thought of at least a dozen ways to improve his ride both to make the journey smoother and more efficient. If only he had kept some paper in the coach to write them all down.

After three days of travel (the carriage was incredibly slow!), Renat finally saw the city gates and eventually the palace wall. His heart began to race.

His carriage was admitted quickly and came to a stop in the courtyard that was freshly covered in a blanket of white. Stepping into the feathery snow, the scientist was very happy to finally be out of the box on wheels.

"Next time can we put a little more energy in our movement," he encouraged as he swung his arms like he was running. "Sometimes I felt that jogging would be faster…"

"And why were you so eager to arrive?" a sweet voice called to him.

Renat inhaled the crisp air deeply and turned to see a dark haired beauty in a fur-lined cloak. Her pink lips were turned up slightly with her question.

The scientist could not hide his grin. "I could joke and say I was eager to see the Council, but that might deprive me of my long awaited kiss."

"That it would," Mairwen answered playfully. She dismissed the coach with a wave of her gloved hand and motioned for Eira to look away.

Renat wrapped his arms affectionately around the lovely princess. He stared deeply into her blue eyes before kissing her so passionately that she felt it in her toes. Mairwen placed her hands against his cheeks, his stubble tickling her fingertips. She giggled.

Seeing the prying eyes from the palace, Eira coughed lightly. Taking the hint, Mairwen reluctantly pulled back from her beloved. "You are here a day early. How hard did you press those horses and the coachman?" she asked, batting her eyes at him.

Renat shook his head. "Not hard at all. I was supposed to be two days ahead of schedule. I was hoping to surprise you." His lips curved up in a half-smile, causing the girl's heart to skip a beat.

"Surprise me?" Mairwen tilted her head. "Your inventions always amaze, but I fear there is nothing you could do that would surprise me anymore."

The scientist leapt forward and swept the slim woman up into his arms. "Did that not surprise you?" he asked with a grin.

Her amused face told him quickly that it did not. "I fully anticipated a move like that. You might even say that I set you up for it." The woman winked, and Renat realized he had been tricked. The princess continued, "Now, Eira warned me that we are being watched, so you may want to put me down before my father makes it here to welcome you."

With a quick peck on her cheek, Renat lowered the princess to the ground. "Can't surprise you?" He mused aloud with a mischievous grin. "That sounds like a challenge."

"Go ahead, if you want to waste your time." Mairwen rolled her eyes and shook her head gently. Renat was very clever but also highly predictable in his daily life. When the pair were working together, the princess got to where she could anticipate his requests before he asked. It was something she loved about him.

"There's my favorite scientist!" a voice broke through their banter. Aurora exited the palace reaching out toward the young man in welcome.

Renat bowed. "Your Majesty," he said as she neared. "I am most honored by your greeting, but perhaps you should not let the other scholars hear you speak so highly of me."

"Nonsense! Let them be other people's favorite!" Aurora dismissed his worry. "How are you, my dear?"

The scientist was taken aback by her friendliness. "I am quite well, thank you. I am excited to share all that has been happening at the University while I was away."

"I very much look forward to hearing what you have to present." The Empress smiled warmly. "I am very happy you have returned, though not as happy, I'm sure, as my daughter. You two just look so lovely together." Aurora's eyes glistened.

Mairwen blushed, unable to refute her mother's words. There was a long silence between the three of them.

Renat cleared his throat, "I am also looking forward to meeting the new Little Highness. Mariwen has written so many wonderful things about him."

The Empress's glistening eyes began to overflow. "Colvyr is one of the great joys in my life. I am so honored that the Maker saw fit to bless me with him after all we have been through. I—" Aurora gave a choked sob, unable to finish her gratitude. "If you will excuse me…"

The fiery-haired woman dipped her head as she turned to leave. Her ladies-in-waiting, sensing her mood, appeared from thin air and escorted her away.

Raising his eyebrows, Renat shot the princess a questioning look. Mairwen ran her fingers through her dark hair and waited until her mother was out of earshot.

"You will have to excuse her. Nanny says that having a baby does funny things to a woman's emotions. That and Alaron's unexpected reappearance last week have made her happy, but also weepy. The result is the overjoyed, but crying lady you just witnessed." Mairwen smiled at Renat's slack-jawed expression.

"Very understandable. That is a lot for anyone to deal with. Do…do all women react that way to having children?" The young man asked carefully.

Mairwen pushed her lips to one side. "I do not know," she admitted. "Anna was better at hiding it, at least from me."

From the palace, the Emperor emerged with a measured walk. He noticed his distressed wife being whisked away and turned aside to meet her. However, Anna waved him off with a wordless sign language they had developed. It seemed that nothing was wrong.

Devrim reluctantly turned back toward his original query with his eyes narrowed on the scientist and his daughter. For split second, Renat wanted to run, but he held the man's gaze instead. He bowed respectfully as the Emperor neared.

"You came back after all," Devrim seemed almost disappointed. "Was your time away from my daughter productive?"

"It was, Sire, though I wish I could have done the work closer to Her Highness," Renat shot the princess an affectionate glance.

The Emperor sighed. "Yes, well…sacrifices must be made sometimes. Now, would either of you like to tell me why I saw my wife crying?" He looked after where Aurora had gone into the palace.

Mairwen held up her hands defensively. "Renat said how he was looking forward to meeting Prince Colvyr. Mother was touched by his kindness."

A small smile formed on Devrim's mouth as his eyes softened considerably. "Oh, I see. Well, scientist, your wish shall be granted. I will accompany both of you to the royal nursery." He beamed with the pride of someone who knew he had a great treasure.

"There's no need, father. I will show Renat the way. Perhaps you can make sure mother is well." Mairwen suggested gently.

Devrim furrowed his brow. "Anna assured me everything was fine…" He then saw his daughter's pleading gaze, and his heart melted. "But I suppose it could not help to check again," he conceded.

Renat held out his hand, "I look forward to speaking again soon, Your Majesty."

"If we must," the grey-eyed man responded gruffly.

The two men shook forearms, and Mairwen noted the strange way that their hands passed one another as they parted. Renat balled his fist anxiously, but offered his other arm to the princess.

She took it happily, then noticed the Emperor looked displeased again. Obviously the young man touching his daughter was an unwelcome sight. Mairwen released Renat, kissed her father on the cheek and then reengaged the scientist's arm.

Together the pair headed off to the nursery.