Jovan snorted. “Sit down, Son. Haven't you learned by now that Amara is no fool? She doesn't need you to think for her. Now, shut up and let her speak.”
“Yes, father,” Altern said stiffly.
Braxis chuckled under his breath.
I shot Braxis a quelling look before I continued. “Gregory manipulated Braxis and his men. He offered Braxis the Silver Tongue in exchange for breaking the truce between the Bleiten and Triari. When Braxis accepted, Gregory advised him to use the Tongue to attack the Triari Embassy and abduct me when I showed up to help. Then Braxis was to attack the Triari outpost on Agranen as final payment for the Silver Tongue.”
“Yes, we've heard about the altercation on Agranen,” Jovan said pensively. “The outpost was anonymously warned that the Bleiten were on their way. It seems that although Gregory wants to overthrow me and restart the war, he wasn't willing to sacrifice any Triari in the process.”
“At least that's something,” Altern muttered.
“Yes, well, it has earned him another enemy,” I said grimly. “In light of this information, I hope that you will continue the truce.”
“Of course.” Jovan waved it aside. “I've already spoken to King Lucifer. He denied knowledge of the attack and promised to investigate but this explanation satisfies me. I will not hold an entire race responsible for the actions of a group of extremist outcasts. Especially since we suffered no losses.”
Braxis growled.
“Stop it,” I hissed at Braxis. “Youareextremist outcasts but we're trying to change that, remember?”
Braxis grimaced and crossed his beefy arms, making an expression similar to the one my cousin had worn earlier.
“Thank you, Uncle,” I said to the Triari King. “I need to contact my father-in-law now.”
“Hold on!” Altern growled. “What about all of this?” he waved his hand toward Braxis. “Is he taking you back to Earth?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” Altern stared down Braxis. “Why would you suddenly release her?”
“Because I have fallen in love with her,” Braxis said boldly.
Altern blinked and gaped at Braxis while my uncle burst into laughter.
Uncle Jovan pounded Altern's shoulder. “Are you really so surprised, Alt? It's not as if you don't harbor feelings for her as well. Our Amara is a special woman.”
Altern flushed and cleared his throat. “I know that, but how can he go from wanting to hurt her to falling in love with her in just a few days?”
“How long did it take for your affections to blossom?” Jovan shot back.
“I didn't start off hating her.”
I cleared my throat. “Well, I... uh, Altern, I think fondly of you but—”
“Don't give me the friend speech, Amara,” Altern cut me off. “I know you're not interested and the knowledge hardly crushes me. I'm the Triari Prince; I don't suffer from a lack of female attention.”
“Of course not. I just wanted you to know that it's not you. Well, not you personally. You're my cousin.”
“That's only a problem for you, but never mind that.” Altern shifted his stare back to Braxis. “If she doesn't arrive on Earth safely, Bleiten, I will hunt you down and destroy you.”
“If she doesn't arrive home safely, it will be because I'm dead,” Braxis growled.
Altern snorted but nodded. “Be careful, Amara. You are precious to many people. Don't give your trust so easily.”
“I love you too, Altern,” I said softly. “And you, Uncle Jovan.”
“Contact us when you get home so that we know you're safe,” Uncle Jovan said sternly.
I grinned at how normal that sounded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
