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Pausing for a moment, she glanced at me, as though apologizing for her next words.
“That said, I believe throwing him out of the kingdom might be drastic. And you are right, those who follow him deserve your protection. Perhaps you should talk to him and make things clear, so what happened today will not happen again.”
Kingston nodded, deep in thought. “I agree that he cannot be allowed to continue to disrespect you or Braxton. His behavior is unacceptable, but we have never left anyone behind before, and I do not think we should start now. Lachlan must be made aware that his misconduct will no longer be tolerated, and we will not stand for it. I propose giving him an ultimatum. He must stop this at once and accept your decision as the princess. If he fights it, then he will be banished.”
Considering her guardian’s words Evie nodded, her attention shifting to me. “What is your opinion?”
Kick his ass the fuck out!
It was what I really wanted to say, but I would not be one of those men who told their girlfriends or wives what to do. Dad had always been a partner to my mother. He respected her as his equal, and I planned to be the same way with Evie. I also needed to consider that this was abouteveryone, not just me, including those five hundred plus people who, for some inexplicable reason, followed Lachlan.
Once again, I made a point to see the bigger picture. As the Prince of Caelisium, Evie’s future husband, and their king, I couldn’t just approach this as any man would. I needed to do it like a ruler, since that was who I would become for her and for them. However, I still needed to be honest with Evie.
“I believe you are all too close to this to make an objective decision. You care for him. You’ve known him for years, but sometimes the people closest to us are the ones who hurt us the most, and the most difficult to cut out of our lives. I concur with Imogen that he will only become more of a problem. He told me after the duel that this wasn’t over, and I saw that same hatred in his eyes today. Lachlanwill notstop trying to get me out of his way, because he thinks you belong to him.”
Sadness cut through their expressions, understanding, and reluctance, capturing their eyes. I got it. It was hard.
“But more importantly, I agree with all of you. The people who follow him deserve our protection. They should not pay for his mistakes. For now, Kingston’s approach is the best. Speak to him and give him an ultimatum. If he refuses to accept your decision, if he refuses to accept me in your life and acts against it, then he should be banished. His followers can consequently decide whether to leave with him, and risk being captured by Raithian, or abandon Lachlan’s fight and remain safeguarded by us.”
Visible relief fell on Evie with my words, and she nodded, reaching for my hand.
“We will speak to him, together, and tell him this is his last chance. Perhaps you might have to tell him who your father is before you announce it to our people. Now that his name has been cleared, it might help him recognize your importance here. He always admired the Harbinger of Justice for what he did for us, even though Lachlan thought he betrayed us in the end. It could help him come to terms with all of this and respect you.”
I HIGHLY doubted that, but I should be willing to at least try diplomacy, right?
“He thinks I’m lying to you about something. Maybe, confessing who Dad was might help calm his suspicions about me deceiving all of you. Honestly, that is part of the reason he hates me. In his twisted way, he is trying to protect you all from me. If he finally knows what my secret is—at least this one—he might see I’m not a bad person and Ihavebeen honest with you.” I sighed. “It is worth a try, even if he still hates me for ‘taking you from him.’” I added air quotes because,really?!
“Thank you for trying.” Evie kissed my cheek.
“Of course, Baby.”
The chief gave me a single nod, as though he approved of my approach and appreciated the consideration. “Good night. I will see you both tomorrow morning.”
“Good night, Kingston.”
“Good night, Chief.”
Offering his arm to Willow like a gentleman, he escorted her to her quarters, but not before she waved us goodnight.
Turning around, Evie headed towards her dresser, probably to begin undressing.
I followed, wrapping my arms around her waist once she stopped, my lips leaning close to her ear. “Now. I believe you misbehaved today, laughing at me when I fell, and…” The playful words faded when I noticed what she’d taken from the drawer.
The letter we found behind her parents’ portrait. A letter left for her.
My hold loosened on her body, and I straightened when she faced me. “Will you read it with me?”
“Of course.”
We walked to the bed together, my back resting against the headboard while she took her spot beside me, leaning into my embrace. The parchment didn’t seem as stained by time as the one that contained the accord, telling me it had been written much, much later. Perhaps closer to when her parents died.
“Dear Evie, my little drop of sunshine—”
“My father wrote it,” she whispered in the smallest voice, seeming surprised he’d been the one to leave this message for her and not her mother. “He used to call me that.”
“Were you a daddy’s girl?” I asked, smiling at the thought, and she nodded.
“My mother and I were really close too, but he and I had a special bond…” Her fingers reached for a lock of her golden hair, a nostalgic smile beginning to bloom on her lips while the memories returned to her. Unfortunately, pain cut across it, accompanying the memories.
