The brothers stood, each of them keeping their eyes on me, and I nodded. I was looking forward to meeting the man who had raised such magical sons. They bowed to us and left, heading off for another journey. I felt horrible that they had to leave so soon, but I supposed that their home wouldn't be as far away as we had already traveled. At least they wouldn't have to take a ship.
I watched with casual interest as my mother sent away her maids.
“Gregor,” my mother growled as soon as we were alone. “What have you done? Four men with one woman? Our people will riot. They will stone our daughter for a harlot.”
“They will not, Eufemia,” my father said gently. Now that it was just us, he didn't feel the need to be so firm with her. “I will have the bards spread tales of theFour Clever Brothers, singing about their strength, wit, honor, and magic. By the time those boys return to us, they will be so adored that no one will think twice about all of them marrying our Addy. Trust me, my love.”
“They do seem to love her,” my mother sighed. Then she looked over to me, holding out her hand. “Do you care for them, Adelysia? Is this what you want?”
I almost dropped into my mother's lap and cried my happiness out. That she would ask me what I wanted, what made me happy, was more than I could hope for. She seemed to see it on my face and frowned.
“You know that we want you to be happy, don't you, Adelysia?” she asked.
My father turned to me in surprise, “You are my only child. I love you more than my own life. Did you ever think differently?”
“No, of course not,” I hugged each of them. “But I knew that someday I would have to marry a man of your choosing.”
“I would have chosen someone good for you,” my father declared.
“You offered me in marriage to whoever saved me,” I reminded him.
“Adelysia,” my father sighed. “I was certain that whoever was strong enough and smart enough to save you from the dragons would be a worthy husband for you. One not hampered by the trappings of royalty. Don't think I don't know about your training sessions with the spear and dagger,” he gave me a stern look, and I gaped at him. “And I believe that I was right. From this tragedy, you have gained not one, but four men to love and care for you. Four princes who will one day become kings. They will rule my kingdom together, and I think they just might do a damn fine job of it.”
“I'm more concerned over their doing a damn fine job of loving our daughter,” my mother grumbled.
“Cease, Eufemia,” my father groaned. “You saw it as clearly as I did. Those men would do anything for her. She has them wrapped around her finger already. Do not worry about our Adelysia; she is stronger than you think.”
“Thank you, Father,” I whispered in shock.
“I've watched you grow from a serious little girl into a stout princess,” my father touched my cheek fondly. “You are smart, kind, and have the steel of your mother in you. If you had been born a man, I've no doubt you would have been knighted by the age of sixteen. You may not wear armor, but you are a soldier, sweetheart. My little fighter. When that son of a bitch stole you from us, my first thought was that he was in for a hell of a surprise.”
“But he wasn't,” I whispered sadly. “I didn't fight him. I pretended to like him so that he wouldn't hurt me. I gave up.”
“I don't believe that for a second. Gave up,” the King scoffed. “I've no doubt that once his guard lowered, you would have hurt him,” he said with a serious glint in his eyes. “You would have used every weapon you had to survive, and then you would have conquered them all. Because you are my daughter, and that is the woman I raised.”
“Weraised,” my mother corrected as she stood. She crossed over to us and hugged us both to her. “Our daughter. Home safe.”
Chapter Nine
The servants worked through the night, preparing the chambers which were to be given to my fiances. At the same time, the pubs and inns were flooded with bards, singing tales of the clever brothers who rescued Princess Adelysia from the evil dragon. Overnight, the men became more than heroes; they became legends.
They arrived at the castle to cheering, their father staring out the coach windows with wide eyes. I watched their return from the castle steps. My parents and I had come out to welcome them back and meet our new relation. The courtyard was filled with people, all crammed in to get a look at these magical men who wielded unusual weapons along with their sharp wits. The coachman jumped down and opened the door with a wide grin, and the brothers stepped out into glory.
But they didn't wave or preen for the crowd. They helped their father down onto the stones and escorted him carefully up to us. Each was intent on the older man's welfare, casting only the quickest of nods in the direction of the jubilant throng. Then they reached the steps, and their eyes turned to me. My hands started to shake. How could I forget how beautiful they were? It had only been a single night, yet now, in the glaring sunlight, their attractiveness was intoxicating.
“Welcome,” my father held his hand out to the older man among the brothers. “I am King Gregor, and this is my wife, Queen Eufemia.”
“Your Majesty,” Robyn made the introduction, “this is our father, Bayard.”
“It's nice to meet you both,” Bayard stammered, and then looked to me. “And you are the Princess?”
“Adelysia, sir,” I eased forward and kissed his cheek. “But please call me Addy.”
“Addy,” Bayard smiled, instantly more relaxed. “You are more than I could have hoped for, for my boys.”
“Thank you,” I smiled at him. “I've heard that you're a fisherman.”
“Yes, the sea has been kind to me,” his smile turned secretive.
