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The server bowed deeply to them both. “Imperial Alpha, Imperial Heir. It’s an honor to serve you both.” He rose, and Adrien caught the bead of sweat on his brow, scenting the slightest tang of fear wafting from him.
He suddenly became very aware of what many had said: Adrien was nearly a spitting image of his father, barring some of his mother’s features like their eyes. Did they believe Adrien to be so lethal and cruel? Someone to fear? Had they expected andwantedthat?
The server asked, “What can I start you each with to drink? We can get anything you desire. No ask is too great for Your Graces here at the White Rose.”
A bit of a kiss-ass, but he seemed decent.
Cassius did him a kindness Adrien hadn’t been spared, closing and lowering his paper. “What’s your name?”
“My name?” Cassius smiled tightly, that merciful softness whetting from his eyes, making the server stiffen. “It’s, uh, Lowri, Your Majesty.”
“Lowri,” Cassius seemed to test the name on his tongue. “I’ll take a bourbon.”
For brunch?
Adrien raised a brow, not at the drink, though, but why ask his name? Then it clicked.
It was an honor for the king to know your name—but it also was a curse. If anything went wrong, Cassius had someone to blame.
The gawking Lowri seemed none the wiser as he turned to Adrien. “I’ll just have tea,” he said.
The server nodded and turned away, his parting steps as rigid as a soldier’s.
With him gone, Cassius snapped open the newspaper again.
Back to awkward silence.
“Your mother missed you for the holiday.”
Or maybe not.
His father didn’t even bother glancing up at him for the statement.
Adrien hung his head, the fact gnawing at his insides. He never wanted to hurt his mother in any of this. “I’m sorry, I—”
“I’m not the one you need to apologize to.” Which meant Cassius also didn’t want to hear it at all. What was done was done, and now, Adrien would deal with whatever consequences.
Five words were all that kept a shiver from going down his spine.The only heir of Io.
“Tonight,” his father surprisingly spoke again, “I’ve invited Callan and Sandrine’s family to the hall for dinner to offer condolences for their children. Dante’s as well. You will be there, and you will also apologize tothemfor the losses due to your recklessness.”
Adrien’s heart thundered in his chest. An apology was theleasthe could do for that. “Yes, Alpha.”
“And you should know.” Now, he finally lowered the paper, meeting Adrien’s eyes. They were total darkness, all mercy gone. “I had a meeting with the High Witch yesterday.”
Adrien forced himself to appear surprised. “You did?”
Cassius nodded, folding the paper up and tucking it to the side. “It’s their concern that fae may be walking the world again.”
“What?” Adrien’s heart stuttered, and he swore even the shadow flinched. “Why would they think that?”
“One of her Coven charted the stars on the Equinox. Apparently, she saw a bridge, a breach between our worlds. Another one said she’d felt a shift in the world.”
But Raana had always been here. “Did you tell them about her?”
Cassius frowned as if he didn’t like that Raana had been Adrien’s only concern,notwhat this could mean. Fae—more fae—clawing into their realm. “No.”
His entire body slumped as he sighed.Thank the Goddess.
