Twig cocked his head.Like all of them, he was a shade of blue, azure in his case.He looked like the sky when it was completely clear of clouds, which suited him.He was bright, a little innocent, and incredibly sweet.“What’s her problem, then?”he asked.
“What does Killian have that she doesn’t?”Rune asked, curious to see if Twig was as naïve as he sounded.
Twig blinked.“I don’t know.Hedley.Their kids.”
“I don’t think that Pearl wants a partner or children.No, she wants power.Killian can tell anyone in the clan what to do, and they’ll have to do it.He’s our king.He’s a good enough person that he would never abuse that power and authority, but Pearl?It’s not that she hasn’t been raised to rule the clan.It’s that she would be an awful queen because she only has her own benefit in mind.She doesn’t care about the health of the clan.She cares about having power over people.”
Twig’s eyes were wide.“You really think that?”
“Killian is doing a good job, which means that people admire and respect him.Why else would she be so angry?Why else would she want to take his place?”
“Maybe she just really hates humans.”
“She might, but a good ruler could see that the humans we’ve welcomed into our clan have been beneficial.They’re helping us.They’re learning from us, and we’re learning from them.Killian doesn’t hate humans, obviously, but I’m sure that even if he did, he’d be able to put that aside to focus on what humans bring to us.She doesn’t.I don’t think she can.”
Twig frowned.His eating had slowed down, and he was moving more hesitantly.“She wants to hurt him, doesn’t she?”he asked.“Because that’s the only way to get him off the throne.”
“He won’t let her.”
“He might not have a choice.It’s not like she’s going to ask permission to hurt him.”
“No, but he knows her.He and his people have been watching her for months.They know exactly what she’s up to, and everyone will make sure that nothing happens to Killian or his family.Do you really think that Birch and Marlin would allow anyone to hurt them?”
“They might get hurt, too.”
Rune reached over the table to squeeze his brother’s forearm.“I understand why you’re worried.I am, too.I really think that Killian knows what he’s doing, though.He won’t let anyone hurt his family or his clan, and while I realize that he needs to be careful, I trust him.He’s our king.The clan is finally peaceful and we’re rebuilding, and no one wants that to change.People might not be vocal about it, but I don’t think anyone in the clan actually wants Pearl to become queen except for the few supporters she has.Some people might want the same power that she yearns for, but it won’t be enough.People are finally happy and living the way they want.They won’t want anyone to ruin that.”
“I don’t want the humans to have to leave.They’re nice.”
“I agree, and I don’t think they’ll have to.”
There was a twinkle in Twig’s eyes when he looked at Rune.“And what about the human doctor?How is he?”
Rune groaned.“What have you heard?”
“Just that he was at the meeting, too.Killian ordered the two of you to work together.”
“Work, not become friends.I don’t think that Palmer likes me or that he trusts me.”
“That’s because he doesn’t know you.He will, though.The two of you will spend time together, and he’ll realize that you’re a nice guy.”
“Even if he doesn’t, it’s work.That’s what we’re going to focus on.”
“There’s nothing better than a little office romance.”Twig wiggled his eyebrows.“In fact, I can recommend a book I read recently.”
“I don’t need to read romances.”Mostly, Rune didn’t want to remind himself of what was missing in his life.He yearned for a partner, but before, he’d been too afraid.He hadn’t wanted to give his father ammunition against him or to put anyone in his father’s way.Besides, it wasn’t like his father would’ve allowed him to date anyone he wanted.Rune wouldn’t have had a choice.In fact, it was a minor miracle that he hadn’t been forced into anything.
Twig grinned.“Because you’re living your own romance.”
“I’m not.Palmer and I barely know each other, and that doesn’t need to change while we’re working together.”
“You’ll see.I have a good feeling about this.”
Rune was pretty sure he should be worried about any feeling coming from Twig, but it was easier not to argue.So what if his little brother wanted to think there could be something between Rune and the beautiful human?Part of Rune believed the same thing, but then, he’d always been a little delusional.Daydreaming wouldn’t hurt.
Not for now, anyway.
Chapter Three
