Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
All sorts of emotions swamped my body. He might be my father and my King, but I still wanted to hurt him in some way, though I knew if I did, the men surrounding him would probably beat me to death. Only the comforting feel of Alyx’s hand at my back helped me manage to control my anger.
I plastered a fake smile on my face and bowed to him.
“Father.” In my mind, he’d deserted me when I’d needed him the most, but I had to put on a good show. At least for now—I had plans that required him to be on my side of things, so insulting him would be childish and stupid. He smiled at me—a beautiful smile that caused my heart to thaw just a bit as old memories flooded in.
“I see you haven’t changed much, son. Still beautiful as ever. Your eyes are so much like your mother’s. Lord Alyxsander will have his hands full with all of your many admirers.”
This group of me around him laughed politely. I hadn’t liked to be compared to my mother—mainly because it hurt too much. He was reminding me of how she once had been when she was part of our family. How she had once been his loving consort and my dearest mother. He was breaking my heart, and he didn’t even realize it.
Thankfully, Alyx remained perfectly quiet and completely still. He obviously knew my father was swimming in shark-filled waters.
I took a deep breath. I might as well start laying the groundwork for what was to come. First, I needed to harden my heart a little, so I moved away from Alyx and closer to my father. I had a plan to keep Alyx and Keion far away from danger when I went to get Adan. I knew how strong they were, but I also knew if she hurt or, gods forbid, killed either of them, it would take both me and my brother out of action, and we’d be lost. No, this had to be done.
“Yes, Father. I’m here…finally. Lord Alyxsander sent me away to live on land with a ‘guardian.’ Were you aware of that?
“Yes, son, I was.” He glanced over my shoulder at Alyx and gave him a dark look. “I didn’t approve at the time, but I had given you over to his care. He thought you’d be safer on land.” He looked back and forth between us. “I thought King Cleotus said the two of you had worked out your difficulties, and you were ready to become officially betrothed. Is that not true?”
Betrothed? That was the first I’d heard of it. I glanced back at Alyx to find him staring right back at me with a raised eyebrow, daring me to deny him. This was going to be even harder than I thought. But I had to stick to my original plan.
“No, I haven’t heard of any betrothal.”
The king glared at Alyx. “Really? Then we need to talk about this, Kailar. Urgently.”
He took my arm to draw me away from Alyx, but I’d had enough of being “handled.” He glanced down at me in surprise, and I could well imagine. The boy he’d last seen had been only a child. I was a man now, and it was time he realized that.
“Enough!” I said, firmly, glaring at him as much as I dared. I mean, I could talk about Alyx badly, but I was the only damn one. “What’s done is done. Alyx and I have resolved most of our differences. We’ll talk more, of course, but I’m exhausted now, Father. We’ve had a long journey to get here. I’ve been very ill, and I’d like to rest. Tomorrow, we’ll rescue my brother. After that, we’ll make a plan to destroy the Sea Hag—the creature once known as my mother.” I glanced up at him and gave a slight bow. “If it pleases Your Majesty.”
My father looked troubled. “I know you’re angry, son. I’m angry, as well. I can’t believe your mother has done the things she has, and I agree something needs to be done. But I’m not comfortable with the words you’re using.”
Was he serious? Something needed to be done? He wasn’t comfortable with the words I was using—oh, like the word “destroy?” Was this why hadn’t something already been done months ago when my brother went missing? I knew he must have been notified and yet he’d sat on his hands and done nothing while Adan was suffering.
I didn’t even realize I’d said all that out loud until I saw my father’s face turn red and heard the loud murmurings from his entourage, some of whom had even drawn their swords in outrage.
My father turned and made a violent downward motion, which immediately cut them all off, though they still gave me dark frowns and looked as if they wanted to fight. Behind me, I could hear Alyx and Keion growling back at them, and Alyx stepped up beside me.