“You shall have it,” Braxis agreed. Then he smirked at me. “It's a good thing I happen to have brought it with me.”
“If he's going, I'm going,” Malik declared.
“I can only transport two people and I'm not wasting time on going back and forth to Danu,” Everan said crisply as he grabbed my hand and then Braxis'. I'm sorry, but I don't have time to argue about this, Malik. We will return shortly.” Everan made a face. “Hopefully.”
“Hopefully?Everan!” Malik shouted as we disappeared.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Braxis stumbled forward as we appeared in my mother's old bedroom. He caught himself against the gilded mantle and looked back at Everan and me with wide eyes. “That was... unexpected.”
“Yes, it can be a bit disconcerting,” I offered. “Are you all right?”
“Don't coddle him, Shalani.” Everan rolled his eyes. “He's a...” He waved his hand at Braxis. “Well, whatever he is, he doesn't need coddling.”
I chuckled. “He said something similar to me.”
Braxis frowned at us and asked in Bleiten, “What language is that?”
“Oh, sorry,” I said in English so everyone could understand. “It's Danutian. Let's stick to English from here forward, Ever.”
“Perhaps you should activate your tongue,” Everan said stiffly.
Braxis nodded and pulled a slim sheet of metal out of a pouch that hung from his belt. He laid it on his tongue and tapped it. Little prongs stretched out from the plate and hooked over his tongue. He tapped the sheet again and it gleamed.
“Ready,” Braxis said.
“I don't know why you're needed,” Everan said disdainfully to Braxis, “and, frankly, I resent your presence in my realm, but if my wife says you're necessary, I believe her. And if your aid helps to save Danu, I will... reconsider my opinion of you.”
“Understood,” Braxis said without a hint of rancor. “And if I can help, I will.”
“Shalani.” Everan held an arm out to me. “The other monarchs are here and doubtless anxious for your arrival. Shall we?”
“Yes, of course.” I took his arm and let me lead me out of my mother's room.
It felt a little strange to be striding through the castle on Everan's arm when I was dressed in jeans but my clothing drew far less attention than the man at my back. Courtiers gawked at Braxis openly and some women actually gasped and drew back in fear as we walked briskly through the gleaming, soaring halls of the Northern Castle and then went down a grand set of stairs. Everan led us to a sitting room where the Royals of Danu were having refreshments while they waited for me. Most were managing to at least look calm but King Dranalt and Uncle Nial were pacing.
Nial glanced over as we entered, started to come forward with a relieved look on his face, but then stopped dead in his tracks. “Great Gods, what the fuck is that?”
Thankfully, he asked it in Danutian but the gist of it still came through the language barrier. Braxis grimaced and rolled his eyes.
“Thatis my wife's new pet,” Everan said scathingly in Danutian as well.
“Everan!” I snapped.
“Am I wrong?” He lifted a brow.
“Yes, you're wrong.” I switched back to English to say, “This is my friend—”
Everan snorted and I glared at him.
“Chief Braxis of the Fengoth Bleitens,” I finished. “Braxis, these are my grandparents, King Benalt and Queen Salana, and my uncle, Prince Nial of the North. We're currently in their kingdom and castle. King Dranalt and Princess Farinne rule the West,” I indicated them next. “And this is Queen Elisande and Prince Varian of the East. If all of you wouldn't mind speaking English so Braxis can understand you, I'd appreciate it.”
Braxis inclined his head to the group as a whole, then went to my grandfather and held out a hand. “It is an honor to meet Amaranthine's family.”
My grandfather's head pulled back a little in surprise as it also angled up to meet Braxis' gaze but he shook the offered hand. “Well met, Chief Braxis.”
Braxis turned his attention to my grandmother next. “Your Majesty.” He took her hand and kissed it as he bowed over it.
