Kai looked like he was on the verge of responding when a side door, behind the throne flung wide and a woman with graying hair pulled back in a bun and crowned by a decorative comb made of shells stepped through it. The minute her gaze locked onto Kai, she practically ran toward him, throwing her arms around him.
“I can’t believe you’re here! You’re finally here!”
Another beautiful woman with bronze skin that literally glowed and flowing auburn hair stood a few feet behind the emotional older woman. She wore a smile and an unmistakable expression of adoration as she stared at Kai. For just a moment,Hollyn acknowledged to herself that the churning irritation in her midsection had to be jealousy, and that that was not something Hollyn needed to be feeling right now.
When the older woman released Kai from her grip, he stared at her intently for a few seconds before he stated, “You’re…you’re Uma. You were always at the beach when we vacationed. I thought you worked for the resort.”
“I never said otherwise, but Kai…I’m your mother. I waited for you every summer to watch you grow and mature. I was so proud of the young man you became. But I could never reveal the truth about who I was. It would have put you in grave danger.” She looked around and locked eyes with her son-in-law, the current king before she explained, “I couldn’t protect you, and your father…he was away.”
King Makoa made a snorting sound but held up his hands when everyone looked his way.
Uma continued, “Because of who your father was…is, there were some who wanted you…dead. But I wasn’t going to let that happen. When the Iona’s decided to raise you, it both broke my heart and gave me joy. I thought you’d be safe from the politics here, but things are not what they seem. Hanupali City needs you. The people need you. I need you.”
“What are you talking about? Everything looks good to me.”
Hollyn caught the exchange between Uma and King Makoa before Uma said, “Well, looks can be deceiving. You have to fight for your kingdom, son.”
Silence filled the hall as a ballet of emotions played over Kai’s face. Hollyn knew he had a lot to think over. Not only was he reconciling the woman from his youth with the mother he’d never officially known, but now, her first request of him as a son was to fight King Makoa for the kingdom. It had to be overwhelming.
Without thinking, Hollyn finally gave into the urge to reach out and take his hand, squeezing it tightly in hers. He turned his head and smiled when their gazes met. She hoped he understood that she’d support whichever decision he made, even if it was to leave the remaining piece of the medallion behind and keep running. She could do that if it meant he would be okay.
Hollyn started to say just that when Uma cleared her throat and drew their attention to her once more. Curiosity with just a tinge of concern swam in Uma’s eyes as she stared at Hollyn.
But she brightened and clapped her hands as she exclaimed, “Where are my manners? I bet you three are starving. We should all sit down for a meal together. You, too, Akamu. I have you to thank for bringing my son home to me.”
She turned toward the gorgeous, glowing woman and said, “This is Leilani, a princess from a nearby city. She is my lady in waiting sent here to learn the ways of a lady and to find a suitable husband. She’ll show you where the dining room is. I need to stay behind for a few minutes with my son-in-law. You all go on ahead.”
They didn’t argue with the matriarch. Hollyn followed behind the beautiful woman in front of her, intimidated by the ethereal glow that seemed to emanate from every pore of their guide. She hadn’t missed how Uma had looked from Leilani to Kai and back again as she’d mentioned Leilani’s mission to find a husband. Again, jealousy scraped at Hollyn’s insides.
Ugh!She needed to remind herself that Kai was not hers, and that he had decisions to make for his future that might not include her even if the thought of that sent a pang of longing through her. As hard as it was, she had to let that go before she fell for him.
If only she could convince herself that she hadn’t already.
