“Aye, almost every time ye are more reasonable.”
“Dost ye think I am bein’ unreasonable with ye now, when I tell ye that ye canna hae Alexandria?”
Torin nodded. “Because she has sworn her troth tae Master Cooper.”
I said, “Cooper doesn’t live here anymore.”
Torin raised his eyes to mine. “Why nae? Ye need tae hae protection! He left ye alone?”
I explained, “Not really, I have security guards. We’re not together anymore,that’sthe important part.”
Max was looking back and forth between us. Then he leaned forward again. “Can ye explain tae me, Alexandria, what ye mean? Ye are truly alone? I came tae meet ye before I go tae the kingdom, and thought ye would be surrounded by guards with a fine castle and a full staff, as befits yer station, but now I find ye alone. Och nae, I canna leave ye here.” He leaned back again. “Ought I tae take ye with me?”
“You want me to go with you to some kingdom?”
“Ourkingdom.”
“First, I would have to be crazy to climb on a vessel to go to some far off kingdom, it’s a ridiculous idea. First time I was kidnapped. Last time I was chased, now you want me to volunteer to go with you, a stranger, to a kingdom that has been, what did you call it?”
“Usurped.”
“That doesn’t sound like we would be welcomed.”
“We wouldna, likely twould be dangerous. I would greatly prefer tae leave ye here, protected.”
I huffed, shaking my head. “I can’t even deal with that right now, I am talking to Torin about something, Max, you need to wheesht —” My eyes went wide. “I’m sorry I said it, but this is a lot to deal with at once. I need to focus.”
Max chuckled. “Och, ye are forgiven. To be told tae wheesht by a princess — that alone feels like I’ve won back m’throne.”
I focused on Torin, he looked deep in thought, chewing his lip.
I said, “So here’s my point, Torin, Cooper and I aren’t together anymore.”
He nodded.
I pulled out another three beers from the fridge, opened them, and passed them around. “Which makes me wonder — what are you going to say about it?”
He looked down on his beer. “I daena ken.”
I said, “Great,” and took a long drink of beer.
Max shook his head, a look on his face of disbelief. “Torin, before I drink, can ye make a toast? Ye are usually first tae do it.”
Torin looked glum, he raised his bottle.
Max and I raised our bottles.
He said, “Tae the Princess, Alexandria, who has survived the stomach flux, and has been reunited with her brother, may she see her kingdom returned tae her, and may she live long. Tae Max who has found his sister. Slàinte mhath!”
Max drank, then shook his head. “Ye arna goin’ tae say, ‘and all of it thanks tae Torin’? Ye arna goin’ tae say ‘Torin is the true hero of the day’? Ye hae been downright dour this whole visit. Can I speak freely tae ye?”
“Of course,” Torin shifted, “but if ye are an arse, I reserve the right tae beat ye.”
“This is much more like yer usual self. But I tell ye, Torin, I canna believe what I am seein’ in ye… ye are in love.”
Torin grunted. “Nae, tis not… tis not what I am…”
“Ye are! Ye hae deep tender emotions taeward Alexandria!”
