I hope that means she enjoyed it.
“Look at you, you old so-and-so. You’re practically blushing!”
“Have I punched you lately?”
“Yes, actually,” he says, straightening his cuffs. “Now, what are we going to do about this Hollowborn? Cold shoulder him? Subtle insults just to remind him of his place?”
I turn to him, trying to find the words to explain what I want to say, when Alaric comes rushing up.
“We’re late,” he says, out of breath.
“Hardly,” Lucien responds, smirking.
I sigh. “Lucien just asked me how we should handle the Hollowborn…”
Alaric takes a few deep breaths. He’s wearing a black suit with hints of gold. “I guess things have changed a bit.” He seems to want to say more, but he doesn’t.
I decide the hell with it. “I gave Harper my word that I would try with the Hollowborn.”
“What?” Lucien looks baffled. “Why?”
To my surprise, Alaric sighs. “Because, things have changed.”
“How?” Lucien asks, and he’s looking for a fight.
I’m grateful when Alaric is the one to answer. “We first decided that Harper would not be permitted to be a dragon rider. We failed in that endeavour, and I’m sure we’re all glad we did.” Lucien doesn’t disagree, so he keeps going. “Then, we hoped this peace agreement would fail. Except, in meeting the Hollowborn, and seeing the way he treats Harper, we have to agree that he seems sincere in his goal to create peace between our two people. And as much blood and death as the three of us have seen in this war, we all have to agree that putting an end to the bloodshed is what’s best for everyone.”
Lucien’s mouth has dropped open, but he slams it shut. “And you two are alreadythatconfident that this Hollowborn isn’t just planning to betray us?”
I speak without thinking. “I’m not confident, but Harper is, and I trust her.”
“So do I,” Alaric adds.
Lucien combs his hand through his long blond hair, messing up the strands. “So, we’re just fine with this asshole banging our woman?”
“I don’t think we said that.”
He gestures with his hands, as if to say, “What then?”
“Progress won’t happen overnight,” Alaric explains quietly, “but we should go into this dinner like three men who want to make peace, not war. Do you really disagree with that?”
Lucien takes a long minute to respond. “I don’t want him touching Harper.”
“Agreed,” both of us say with ease, but Alaric continues, “but for the sake of our people, we need to give this peace thing a shot.”
Silence ticks by.
Lucien rolls his eyes. “Fine. I’ll give him, and this peace thing, a chance, but I’m not above punching him in his stupid Hollowborn face if he crosses me.”
That’s good enough for me.
The three of us walk to the castle, and to our father’s private dining room, together. Guards open the doors, and inside we find father at the head of the table, the Hollowborn, with his ridiculous face paint, beside him, and Harper at the Hollowborn’s side. On my father’s other side is Elder Thorne, glowering at the enemy across the table. I move quickly, taking the seat on Harper’s other side, and my brothers sit in the seats across from us, giving me a look. They know what I did.
“We’re all here. The feast can begin,” our father remarks, and within seconds, servants begin setting out dishes.
We don’t have to say a word. Our plates are filled with foods of every kind before the servants drift back, disappearing into the shadows, leaving us to enjoy our meal in relative peace. But I’m not focused on the food in front of me, not when Harper looks like a goddess before me. Her long golden hair has beenbrushed to fall perfectly down her back, and she wears a pale green dress that looks as thin and delicate as paper.
She catches my gaze and gives me a smile.
