“Maybe Prime Alaric and Everly will feed us,” he said, his tone hopeful.
As we made our way up to the keep’s massive front doors, Belos spoke with a guard there, who nodded and let us in.
A steward met us. “This way, please.”
As I glanced around, impressed despite myself by the beautiful castle, I tried not to get my hopes up that we’d been able to get in and secure an audience with the Prime, because the hard part was going to be getting the Prime’s help and protection and asking him to contact the Elemental King so he could track Barrett down. Barrett had already killed once, and he wouldn’t stop coming after me and Alanna. Who knew how many people he would hurt or endanger if he wasn’t stopped?
The steward stopped outside what looked like a massive throne room. “There are others ahead of you. Just wait in the back until it’s your turn to speak with the Prime.”
Had I gone back in time? This was bizarrely medieval.
Everly noticed us as soon as we entered. She nodded, then turned back to the man who was speaking to the Prime.
I tuned everything else out as I thought over what I wanted to say.
When it was our turn, I peeked behind me and saw that the throne room was empty except for a few guards, the Prime, Everly, Matteo, and me.
“Piper,” Everly said with a warm smile, coming down to give me a hug. “It’s so good to see you. And you too, Matteo. Is everything okay?”
The Prime smiled at his mate but remained where he was. It was easier to address my issues with Everly. The Prime, even though I knew he was a good man, had such a strong aura, even contained, that it sometimes felt like a predator had my neck in his teeth.
“Everly. It’s good to see you as well.” I nodded, then drew in a deep breath and released it on a quiet sigh. “We’re in trouble, Alanna and I. We can’t keep running or living like this, with the threat of Barrett hanging over us. I’ve come to officially ask the Prime and Queen for their help.”
Maybe it was awkwardly worded, but I wasn’t a wordsmith, and I wanted them to know that this was an official request. I wasn’t here as an acquaintance.
Everly nodded, looking subdued as she found her seat again, and the Prime’s expression darkened. “Can you tell me more about what has happened?” he asked.
Nodding, I began at the beginning and ran them through the most recent events—Barrett’s mercenaries trying to run me off the bridge, and then showing up at the airport.
The Prime leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His face was intent as he listened.
“They’re dangerous. Not just to myself and Alanna, but to others. There were many people caught in the crossfire on the bridge today—people who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. If he’s not stopped, he’s going to hurt a lot of innocent people, including me and my niece. He’s already killed my sister.” My voice broke for a moment, and I had to clench my fist and simply breathe until I regained control. “Please help us.”
When I finished speaking, he sat back with a sigh. “I want to apologize, Piper. In all the craziness of becoming Prime and finding my mate, I forgot your needs, and I neglected your safety.” He sounded frustrated with himself, and I blinked in astonishment. From meeting Everly, I’d thought he would be a good man, but I hadn’t been prepared for this.
My stomach snarled again, even though this was the most inconvenient time ever, and Matteo snorted. I threw him a dirty look but couldn’t help being a little embarrassed.
The Prime must have also heard, because he eased my embarrassment by saying, “Why don’t we discuss this over dinner? I’m starved.”
Looking relieved, Everly hurried toward me and hugged me again, despite the harried expressions on her bodyguards’ faces. Even though I’m not much of a hugger, I allowed it as her bodyguards followed her, looking resigned.
She held on for only a moment or two, clearly reading my awkward body language, and pulled back, smiling at me. “I’m sorry for the reasons you’re here, but I’m so happy to see you again. Where’s baby Alanna?”
“I left her with Riggs and the bear clan. I trust them to protect her while I’m here seeking help.”
Everly nodded as she steered Matteo and me out of the throne room. The Prime trailed behind, looking deep in thought.
When we entered the dining room, food was already laid out on the large table. There was so much of it that I couldn’t help being surprised. Was this a normal dinner for them? I sat in the seat that had been pulled out for me and waited a moment to see if there was some custom where the Prime ate first, but he waved Matteo and me to start, so we quickly began filling our plates with everything within reach.
There was a huge salad—the loaded kind that could substitute for a meal, not the skimpy dinner salads—along with loaded potato salad, deviled eggs, roast, baked potatoes, several vegetable dishes, ham, rolls, gravy, and bread pudding.
The room was quiet as we dug in, and then, when the desserts were being set out, the Prime said, “I’d like to send some of my guards back to the Lodge to help protect you and Alanna. I’d also like to send you back in my private plane. My guards will go with you to keep you safe on the trip back, if that’s okay with you.”
Relief flooded through me, and I had to stop spooning brownie à la mode onto my plate and just breathe for a moment. When I was no longer in danger of breaking down at the dinner table or falling to my knees in abject gratitude, I grabbed a doughnut as well. May as well eat my feelings. “Thank you. I’m grateful for any help you can give us.” Remembering that I needed to contact King Asharien, I said, “I hesitate to ask, but I was wondering if you had a connection with the Elemental King? He’s the only one with a chance of actually tracking down Barrett.”
“Good idea. I’m sure King Asharien can locate him,” Everly said as she filled a small dish with different flavors of ice cream, then started adding toppings.
The Prime made a face. “Generally, I would say it shouldn’t be a problem. But from what you’ve told me, Piper, Barrett doesn’t sound like he’s in his right mind. Fractured minds are difficult, if not impossible, to locate.”
