“That’s not Evan, that’s Tom.”
“Oh. So... how old were you when you had Tom?”
“He is not biologically mine. But he is ours all the same. Tom was an orphan. That girl he’s with.” He points to the girl with warm, wavy auburn hair that stops at her shoulders andgrayish blue eyes. “That’s his girlfriend, Megan. They just started dating.”
“And they spend every waking moment together,” a female voice says.
A woman with long chocolate-colored hair with golden highlights that sway down her back, blue eyes and a slender figure. On top rests a subtle crown with not-so-subtle violet and maroon jewels. She approaches the king.
This is Alaina. How could I forget? Colin trained us all to be able to identify her. She has a baby, who I assume must be little Evan on her hip. Evan has his finger in his mouth.
Dax bends down to kiss Alaina.
Alaina then hands Evan to Dax, who holds out his arms, excited to be received by his father.
Dax’s voice becomes high pitched with elation when he talks to Evan. He gasps, “Hi! How’s my boy doing?”
“He just had a nap, so he’s a little”—Alaina ruffles Evan’s hair, trying to smooth the stragglers down—“unrulyright now.”
Dax peppers kisses on Evan’s cheek, who giggles and tries to push Dax’s face away.
“Did you see Tom’s hair?” Alaina asks, unenthused.
“I did,” he says.
Alaina rolls her eyes.
“He’s seventeen, and in love. Give him a break,” the king says.
“I know. I just don’t like that she’s changing him.”
Dax laughs. “All he did was cut his hair, darling.”
Alaina throws her hands up. “I know, I know. I’m just protective, is all.” She then blinks and smiles, remembering that I’m here. “You must be Jay. It’s nice to meet you under better circumstances.”
I guess that answers my question on whether she remembers me or not.
I bow my head and curtsey. “Your Majesty.”
“You may stand.”
When I do, I slowly drift my eyes to meet the queen’s. To my surprise, she doesn’t seem upset or ready to throw blows. Instead, she’s calm and pleasant. Warm and inviting.
Why is she being so nice to me?
“Jay has been helping me train Bloodhound. Assuming she doesn’t find a mate at the Hunt, she will stay to train and become a warrior for the crown .”
“The Hunt? I thought she was already...” She sees the king shaking his head vigorously. “Oh-kay.” She clasps her hands together and beams at me. “Well. Jay, it seems you and I have lots to catch up on. Shall we?” The queen gestures in the direction of a garden with flowers that create a path to a gazebo.
When we reach the gazebo, we take a seat. Immediately, I notice how properly she sits, and I become very aware of how slouched I am.
I straighten.
A long silence settles. I tense, unbearably uncomfortable sitting beside someone whose first, and only interaction with me was when I tried to kidnap her for my leader—her enemy. If she’s not going to kill me, at the very least, I expect her to threaten my life.
“I know you’re probably wondering where this leaves us, and I want you to know I don’t hold a grudge.”
Whoa. I wasn’t expecting that.
