She didn’t know exactly what she was doing.Hawk didn’t need anyone to check in on him.This was his dad after all, and while she got the sense that things weren’t great between them, Marcus wasn’t abusive.
An asshole, sure.But Hawk could easily match it with his own level of asshole.
So, why was he standing there, nodding with a glazed look in his eye?
Her approach caught Hawk’s attention before Marcus’s.His eyes widened, as if surprised to see her existing in the same space as his father.Whatever he’d been saying, he trailed off mid-sentence and stopped.
Marcus kept talking, though.“Today did not go well.These actors are a joke.We hire authentic impersonators, and their captain is waddling around on crutches!Their costumes were mediocre at best.If I’m offering an authentic experience, it needs to live up to that.Next year, we need to reconsider the contract.Hawk?Are you listening?”
He was talking about Logan.Lilian’s heart sank as she realized that he was railing against the pirate actors.Logan was a prick, but he and his band put on a good show.No one complained about them.Well, no one except the king, apparently.
Did Logan know the king felt this way?Was that why he acted like a prick sometimes?
“And the knights as well.Next season they need to undergo more training.This is an elite squad and an honor.We can’t be taking people off the street!”
Another pointed comment.This time, Lilian imagined David.Sweet, good-natured David, who’d accidentally fallen into the role of a knight and enjoyed every minute of working at the faire.
It was a brief peek into the everyday conversations between Hawk and his father.And she didn’t like it.
“Hawk!”Marcus’s voice trailed off as he realized Hawk wasn’t paying attention.He turned to follow his son’s line of sight until his cold eyes found Lilian.It had been a while since she’d been caught in the stare of Marcus Carlisle.She’d forgotten how oddly handsome the man was.Even dressed in the ruffles and layers of historical Tudor clothing, his classically handsome features were obvious.The only thing that made her pause was the scrutinizing look in his gaze.It raked over her, not in a sexual way, but in a quick assessment of whether she was worth his time or not.
Apparently, the answer was not.
“Yes?”he asked impatiently.
“Sorry.”She could feel her heart hammering in her chest, but she refused to offer a smile to him.
“What do you need?”Marcus snapped.
Panic seized her as Hawk sent the same questioning look her way.“Um…” She glanced back at the lights and music behind them, then back to the dark corner the two men had hidden themselves in.“The queen needs her king… my lord,” she added clumsily at the end.
Marcus’s eyes narrowed into icy slits.He didn’t even waver at the mention of his wife.“Did she ask for me?”
“Well, no,” Lilian admitted, “but does she have to?Everyone is celebrating a successful day.Won’t our king come and celebrate with us?”
“We’re working here,” he said with no other inflection, as if that should be enough.
“Dad,” Hawk interjected, the word coming out as an exasperated sigh.“Why don’t you go join Mom.I’ll handle everything.”
Marcus looked at his son, brow furrowed in confusion.“I don’t want us to sit on this.”
“I’ll handle it, but Lilian is right.Nothing is going to get done tonight.”
Marcus put his hand on Hawk’s shoulder, jostling it like a coach might before sending a player out onto the field.Something about the touch made Lilian’s stomach tilt in unease.
“I suppose you’re right.Thanks, Hawk.”
“No problem.”
Marcus let his hand linger on his son’s shoulder for a moment longer before stepping back and stalking toward Lilian.His back to Hawk, a clear scowl twisted his lips as he took in the lights, chatter, and Lilian standing among it all.
Maybe it was a trick of the shadows, or maybe he was just tired after a long day, but it was clear the king did not want to return to his court.
Lilian stepped out of his way and watched as he took determined steps back to the festivities.As soon as someone saw him, they let out a raucous “Huzzah!”that was echoed by the crowd.Before her eyes, Marcus’s shoulders straightened, and he transformed into the character that everyone knew.A jovial, good-natured king.
“What’s his deal?”Lilian wondered out loud.
“He’s very particular about the faire,” Hawk answered, coming up beside her as they watched the scene play out.
