“You might needto buy him dinner first.”
My brotherscowled at me. “How can you joke at a time like this?”
“Because I can’tdo what I’d like to do, which is remove Gavin Trask’s head with my bare handsand mount it on the castle wall.”
“How about abovethe grand fireplace?” Liam retorted, then let out a deep sigh. “Seriouslythough. I don’t understand why Da hasn’t sent the royal guard to take that pieceof shite out. Himandhis cult army.”
“Probablybecause he doesn’t want to start a war with the humans.”
Liam smacked theback of one of the chairs, continuing to pace the aisle. “Did you know Da isletting them picket at the gala?”
“Aye. As long asthey stay down at the front gate,” I said.
“Are you on hisside?” he hissed.
I shrugged.“There are no sides, brother.”
What else couldI say? My father, the king and ultimate ruler on the matter, had approved ofthe protesters, and I was too far down the line of succession to veto it.
My brotherscoffed. “I can’t believe it. And Ireallycan’t believe both Alasdairand Colton are allowing it.”
“Calm yourself,LiLi. Father firmly believes in the freedom of speech, and on that, I happen toagree with him.”
“So do I, butwhat does it have to do with allowing the Hand of the bloody Cross to hangaround our front gate and harass our guests as they arrive?”
“You know aswell as I do,” I lamented for the hundredth time. “Father won’t allow us tolive in a bubble any longer. He wants everyone from the High Council to thehuman politicians and world leaders to know that he’s aware of our critics andunafraid of their fear tactics. Now, will you please sit down and relax? It’s along way to Scotland and you’ll be completely knackered if you walk the entireway there.”
Liam threwhimself down in the chair across the aisle from me but after a few moments ofsilence asked, “Do you think I’ll make a good king?”
“You couldn’tpossibly do worse than your role as a big brother.”
“I’m serious,Phin. Da has been talking more and more about stepping down. Haven’t younoticed?”
I nodded.
“Well?”
I cocked myhead. “Well, what, brother? You’re going to be king one day. What does itmatter if it’s tomorrow or one hundred years from now?”
“Because itwon’t be a hundred years from now. It’ll be sooner and I’m not ready.”
“You’re notready?” I sat up and leaned in. “Do you think Da was ready?”
He scoffed.“Kade Gunnach was born to be king.”
“Not technicallyspeaking,” I challenged.
Our uncle,Brodie, was technically born to be king. Born of a mated couple, whereas myfather and Uncle Connall, were born from an arranged union. Our grandparentshad married in the way of humans, bore my father and Connall and then ourgrandfather had met his mate and bound her, producing Brodie. Once that hadhappened, our grandmother had lashed out and had an affair with a human,getting pregnant with Fiona.
None of this hadbeen revealed until long after my parents had met, and by then, Brodie wantednone of it. He was happy living his life with Payton and their children anddidn’t want any access to the throne.
“I’m not talkingabout birthright,” he growled.
“Whatareyou talking about, then?”
“Eventemperament, the ability to see the larger picture, leadership, selflessness. Icould go on and on about all the positive traits of our current king. None ofwhich I possess.”
“That’s nottrue. And if I heard anyone else talking that way about you, I’d split theirskull.”
