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Malachi bobbed his head in agreement.
Silence blanketed the room as they all settled into the weight of that threat.
I inhaled deeply. “I am more than willing to answer any questions you may have. I did not barge into this meeting for pomposity’s sake, but rather to make sure my intentions were known. I will continue to work on the lakes as long as you allow it.”
That was mostly true. Esta would allow it and that was all that mattered. Still, it seemed I needed to get close to the advisors also. Close enough to sniff out who was backstabbing her in order to get the crown off her head.
“Oh your intentions were always clear,” Zaire said, voice dripping in sarcasm.
“Yours also.” The wink I sent the prick may have been a bit extra.
Emric made a choking noise from his position at the door.
“And you are?” Zaire asked, voice going lethal.
“Emric Whitman,” Emric said with a smile. “I am here because he is.”
John asked politely from his position next to Emric. “Would you like for us to take our leave so that you all may continue chatting about yesterday, Your Highness?”
Please. Malachi, will you please deliver Prince Keiran, Emric, and John back to their rooms?
We spun to leave, and I placed my teacup next to the others already used on a tray on the credenza.
The guard who delivered us opened up the doors wide enough for Malachi to leave. And we all shuffled toward the exit.
Just as I turned my back, a voice stopped me.
Jagen. The brother of the queen who may or may not be trying to dethrone her. “Why? You already helped to kill your father? Why would you come here? You could have just told us. You didn’t have to come.”
I turned over my shoulder to look at him. “Other than to avoid a war none of the countries in the realm are strong enough for? A war that would destroy us all beyond repair?” I paused. “I’ve found I rather like the taste of vengeance. So much so I’d like to keep tasting it.”
And with that, we left the war room for the hallway.
As the doors shut, the queen sent me,Has anyone ever told you that you are incessantly annoying?
I grinned, not sure if she could hear me or not. “Likely,” I whispered.
Insufferable prince.
John gave me a weird look while Malachi swung his head back to look at me also.
“What? You heard her?” I asked him.
No,he seemed to laugh.Just had a hunch.
As soon as we turned a corner, Emric grabbed me by the shoulders and stopped me. “I’m sorry, but I have to say it.”
I had no idea what his issue was now, but if he broke into a fourth verse of the sea shanty, I was going to bail. “Say what?”
Emric gestured in the direction of the war room. “Back there? You were ridiculous. You were...you.It’s good to have you back.” He slapped me on the back as he brought me in for a hug. “It’s so damn good to have you back.”
“I never went anywhere,” I offered dully.
Emric let go of me and smirked as he patted my cheek. “No, but you lost a little of that Keir sparkle for a bit. That was nuts. You’re still in there, man. As brutally charming and deadly as ever.”
“You’re going to make me blush,” I threw back at him.
Malachi started laughing, a loud neigh echoing in the empty hallway.If you two are done with your brotherly moment, they will likely be deliberating how much free rein to give you for several more hours, horse pun intended, so what do you say rather than going back to your rooms, we go find you some space for training?
