Curran’s eyes widened.“Wait, Rune is your new coworker?”he asked, turning to Palmer.
“Killian assigned him to me, yes.He’s supposed to show me around the library and help me research.”
For some reason, Curran seemed delighted by that.“That’s great.”
“Is it?”
“I know Rune’s been trying to show Killian that he’s on our side, and it looks like Killian believes him.Yes, it’s great.”
That wasn’t the answer Palmer had expected.“Killian trusts his siblings?”
“He trusts a lot of them more than anyone else except for a few people, including Marlin.The bunch of them have been kept separated by their father, and they’re trying to heal from that.It’s nice to know that Killian is doing what he can to include his siblings.Well, some of them anyway.”
“And Rune has never supported Pearl,” Marlin added.“He also never liked the old king.They were related, obviously, but I don’t think many people liked him.”
“I think it would be fair to say that a lot of people actually hated him.”
Palmer listened to them talk.He’d never met the old king, so he wouldn’t know, but he’d heard enough stories.It was hard to believe that a man like Killian had been raised by a man like the stories described.Killian was a good ruler.
His father hadn’t been.
Thankfully, it looked like some of Killian’s siblings didn’t agree with Pearl.Rune’s reaction to her entering the meeting room had been one of displeasure, and between that and everything else, Palmer wondered if that meant that Rune was on the right side.He hoped so.He didn’t want to work with the guy and have to continue looking over his shoulder to make sure he was safe.Only the future would tell, though.
“Everything is going great,” he told Curran once his examination was over.“You and the egg are perfectly fine.”
Curran beamed.“Thank you.I wasn’t really worried, but it’s nice to have confirmation.”
“Thank you for trusting me and allowing me, of all people, to keep an eye on you during your pregnancy.I know there were many other choices.”
“Other choices, sure, but better?I don’t think so.I’m fine with you being my doctor through the pregnancy and after I lay the egg.I trust you, Palmer.”
Palmer was glad, especially because he hadn’t expected it.He’d do anything in his power to ensure that Curran and his baby were okay.He wouldn’t have it any other way.
* * * *
RUNE KNOCKED ON TWIG’Sdoor, feeling nervous.He didn’t use to spend a lot of time with his siblings because of their father, but he and several others had been actively trying to change that.It wasn’t always easy, but they were working on it, and Rune was excited at the thought of having dinner with his brother.
Twig was one of the youngest, so he’d spent less time with their father than the rest of them.Hopefully, it meant he was better adjusted.It definitely meant that he wasn’t on Pearl’s side, which was a good thing.Rune hated that they were still divided, and it was their father’s fault.He shouldn’t have had so many children to begin with, but he definitely shouldn’t have pitched them against each other any chance he got.He’d ruined any relationship they could’ve had with each other while growing up, and in some cases, they wouldn’t be able to heal from that.
The door opened, and Twig grinned at Rune.“Finally.I’m starving.I was about to start eating without you.”
Rune checked the time.“I’m not late.”
“You’re not.I’m just hungry.”
They quickly settled at the dining table.There was music playing, a singer Rune didn’t recognize.He didn’t care about the music, though.He cared about his brother, and he couldn’t stop smiling.Being here felt great.
“I heard about Pearl,” Twig said after a few minutes.Clearly, being hungry wasn’t going to stop him from gossiping.
“What have you heard?”
“That she barged into the meeting room.That she wanted to know why she wasn’t invited and seemed to think that she should have been.”He snorted and stuffed a piece of bread into his mouth.“Why would Killian invite her?He already knows what she thinks about all of this.”
“He does,” Rune confirmed.“Just like he knows what she thinks about humans in general and what she’s trying to do.”
“I really don’t get it.What’s he doing that’s so wrong that she doesn’t think he’s a good king?”
“I don’t think that’s her problem.”
