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“Thank you,” I whispered to Braxton, blinking the emotion out of my eyes.
“It’s nothing,” he answered with a dismissive wave, not noticing the true effect his action had. “Soon enough, they’ll all have caffeine addictions and then you won’t be so glad I did it.” Chuckling, he took a sip of his own cup, leaving the table to stand near us.
Strands of my hair swayed as I shook my head. “It’s more important than you think; look.”
His gaze followed mine to the rows and rows of faces illuminated by smiles.
“I can’t recall the last time my kin were this joyful. All of them, together.”
“It’s been a long time since something new—something good—happened to them,” Kingston added, taking in the room with the same thoughtful eyes I had.
“You did this,” I assured Braxton, glancing at him again. “In your own, unique way, you have provided something to better their way of life, to make them happy. I assure you, all of them cherish it far more than you can imagine.”
The emotion I felt finally settled into Braxton’s gaze and he nodded, accepting our praise, but not saying a word about it. Turning, he busied himself preparing more drinks, and helping the kitchen staff in providing coffee to everyone who still waited.
A new smile captured my lips when I exchanged a glance with Kingston. It was about time that everyone got to see the Braxton I knew, especially my guardian. Much like Brax, Kingston remained silent, thoughtful, but when his eyes moved past me and his scowl returned, I knew something wasn’t right.
Turning, I noticed Lachlan walking toward us, and I rolled my eyes. “No more, Kingston. We are having a good day. Let us leave the resentments behind.”
His body relaxed when my palm rested on his arm, and letting out a burdened breath, he nodded. Taking a deep breath, I prepared to heed my own advice, just as my old friend stopped several feet from us and fully bowed.
“Princess Evanna, Chief.” He straightened, facing the man who had once been his mentor. “I would like to request a brief audience with the princess.”
A bit taken aback by the formality of Lachlan’s request, my guardian glanced at me, but I nodded. “You may approach.”
Familiar and warm, a soft smile stretched Lachlan’s lips as he stepped forwards, but it was soon shadowed by the regret shining in his eyes.
“I’m truly sorry.” His head shook slightly as though he knew words weren’t enough. “I know I’ve said that before, but I was still wrapped up in what occurred. I felt ashamed, betrayed, and angry because of the repercussions of my actions. At being stripped of my spear and title, cast aside like I hadn’t given my entire life in servitude to you—” His jaw tightened with the words, showing the hurt he carried, but he shook his head, letting it go. “I was having trouble dealing with all of it.”
“And how do you feel now?” I inquired, assessing the man I had once known to be loyal and true.
“Just ashamed,” he confessed, dropping his gaze from mine.
“Nevertheless, it were your thoughtless actions that provoked all of it.” Kingston loomed over him with the reminder. His honey eyes bore into Lachlan’s, making sure he knew he might be forgiven, but his mistake would not be forgotten.
“I know.” My old friend agreed, meeting his intense gaze. “I made a mistake, and I realize that the fault lies only with me. It is the reason I come here today, to say truly, deeply, I am sorry. I hope that you can find a way to forgive my faults and give me another chance.”
He directed the statement at my guardian, knowing he would not get anywhere with me until he forgave him. Kingston, however, glanced at me, letting him know that I was the one who truly needed to forgive, and he might consider it after.
Movement from my left briefly caught my attention, and with a side-glance, I noticed Braxton’s muscles tense. A similar scowl to Kingston’s captured his expression while he watched our meeting. Bewildered, I frowned at his reaction, until my eyes shifted to find a half-insulted Willow, sitting at the guard’s table. She was talking to Penelope, Asher, and Harrison while she drank from the brew, clearly not happy to see who stood before me.
“Princess Evanna…”
My attention returned to Lachlan to see him bow his head slightly.
“I was conceited and blind. I took our friendship for granted and allowed myself to believe that it was my right to speak, without stopping for a moment to think of how or where I was doing it. I let unwarranted pride create a division between us, and because of it, I ruined the relationship we shared.”
When his eyes lifted, true regret engulfed his features, and my chest constricted at the sight.
“I know what has happened cannot be changed. But if you could find it in your heart to forgive me, I vow to try my hardest to earn your trust again, and win the friendship you once extended.”
Taking a slow breath, I considered his words, recognizing the nature behind them. “Let us move past this,” I finally offered, seeing an enraged Willow march her way towards me. It was like she felt me forgiving him and wanted none of it.
“We shall move past this,” my guardian reiterated. “But let it never, ever, happen again.”
A slow smile began to stretch Lachlan’s lips with hope, but he didn’t let it take over. Instead, he nodded, a relieved breath sinking his chest. “I swear it.”
Leaving us for a moment, Kingston intercepted Willow—surely explaining to her that we shouldn’t spoil the glee our people enjoyed this day. One they hadn’t experienced in years.
