When I turn back to my brother, he’s looking at the stone with a confused look on his face. “What’s this supposed to mean?”
I laugh. “She wants to be your friend.”
Mikal looks up at me, and his eyes are tortured. I’ve spent so long watching over my brother, and he’s spent most of his time around men much older than him.
It breaks my heart to see how his childhood had been snatched from him, and now he gazes down at the stone with such a boyish face.
Gods, he’s so young.
I grab his face and pull him down to kiss his forehead. “Welcome to your new life.”
He jerks away from me in mock irritation and gives my shoulder a little shove.
“You don’t have to keep doing that,” he says.
I grin. “Of course I do. I couldn’t for so long.”
We are interrupted yet again by another voice. “Your Majesties.” This time, it’s Svanna.
When I turn, I find her attention is fixed on Mikal.
“You have the look of a future hunter about you. Do you know how to hold a weapon?” she asks.
Mikal puffs out his chest. “I have chopped trees since I was eleven.”
Svanna laughs. “Excellent. Would you like to join us today?”
Mikal nods once.
“Good.” She jerks her head toward Hammerhead Hall. “Go help with lunch, and we’ll find you later.” Then she turns to me and says, “There’s need for a meeting in the throne room right now.”
I look at Teo, who bobs alongside with the sleeping child. Without thinking, I reach up and tuck a bit of hair behind the child’s ear.
We don’t even have a proper name for the boy yet.
“Very well,” I say and follow her through the rooms.
Everything is a blur until we walk in and find… two thrones.
I suck in a breath and then look at the others in the room. Teo hands me the child as we walk up the steps and sit.
Those before us look on, but Thorne has a small smile playing on his lips.
“Congratulations,” he says with a bow. “Parenthood suits you.”
I blink, somehow shocked to hear the words on his lips.
“Thank you, Lord Thorne,” I return.
Mrath laughs.
“Thorne isn’t a lord. He’s just my favorite assassin,” she says.
Thorne’s face darkens but he doesn’t say anything more, so I press my lips together and avoid responding.
“It is good to see you all alive and well,” Teo says, taking over the conversation. “What is the matter?”
Ner’Feon raises his hand. “From what I gather, King Ma’Teo, a lot is the matter. Permission to speak first?”
