“Don’t worry,” he whispered. “Father’s message was clear. One misstep and we will have ground to imprison Tyrus for treason. Blayne and Father have him and his guards flanked from dawn until dusk.”
I started to nod, my gaze flitting back to the front, when I heard a familiar laugh in the alley. I spun around so fast I almost lost hold of my breakfast, eyes anxiously searching the faces behind us.
Sure enough, I spotted her leaning into my twin’s shoulder in the middle of the street, laughing amber eyes as she looked up at Alex in jest. Her bronze skin glowed in the light of the early evening sun. She looked just as striking as always.
The crowd shifted, and I noticed Derrick and my parents standing a couple feet apart. Ella’s parents and her older brother Jeffrey were there too.
“Ella!” Halfway across the street I screeched my friend’s name and watched as she shrieked, charging in my direction like a blind madman.
I barely had time to speak before the two of us collided. Darren caught up a moment later just before my best friend and I took a tumble to the ground. Paige a minute after, spewing venom as she chastised me for leaving her behind.
“How can I protect someone who continuously neglects every precaution I have in place?”
By the time my guard had finished her lecture both sets of families had made their way alongside.
Ella’s parents wore polite frowns as they regarded the prince beside us—no doubt recalling his brother—but mine, especially my mother, were eyeing him in unabashed interest.
“Mom, Dad, this is Darren.” I couldn’t help but notice how stiff and quiet our audience had suddenly become.
My father was first to break the silence. Unfortunately for me it was in the most embarrassing way possible. “Well, well, ‘tall, dark, and handsome.’ I can see why my daughter picked you. She certainly has a type.”
Alex guffawed, and even Derrick had to hide a grin as the prince’s face shot up in flames. Not even Darren was prepared for my father.
“Dad!” I hid my face in my hands.
“George.” My mother elbowed my father for embarrassing his daughter in front of the prince. “Leave them alone.” She smiled at Darren, her keen gray eyes studying our intertwined hands. “A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Ry’s mother, Liona.”
“You don’t have to call me by my title, ma’am.” Darren’s face was as red as mine.
An awkward moment ensued as Ella reintroduced the non-heir to her family, all of which he had met at court—albeit years before. Her brother Jeffrey looked just as dubious as Alex; her parents were better, they were at least attempting to take note of their daughter’s acceptance of the younger of the two princes.
“As pleasant as it is to stand out in this stifling heat,” Ella’s father interjected suddenly. “I was wondering if everyone wouldn’t mind joining us for dinner at our inn. Sable and I would love to get to know Alex’s family. We’ve been hearing so much over the years, we’d love to share a round of drinks in person.”
My family accepted as I promised a quick round for the prince and myself. I hadn’t forgotten the endless parade of emissaries waiting back at Baron Cuthbert’s manor, but we still had thirty minutes to spare and I intended to make the most of it. I also hadn’t missed the exchange of incredulous expressions between my brothers when Darren spoke.
One way or another, I was going to find a way for them to make peace. I knew if Alex and Derrick just took the time to know Darren—without the Ferren’s Keep regiment or my twin’s past bias in the way—they would find a way to get along.
I hoped.
****
“Alright you two.” Jeffrey set down his mug with a thud. “Spit it out.”
My friend giggled as she and Alex exchanged grins. “What are you talking about?”
“Nice try.” Her brother waggled a finger between the two. “Time to tell us what’s going on.”
“Alex has been sweating like a pig since we arrived.” Derrick grinned. “Could there be a reason other than his distaste for the sun?”
My twin, usually so quick to retort to our sibling’s wheedling, swallowed and stared at the wall behind us.
My jaw dropped—and I barely had time to think as Ella pulled my brother up off his stool. She nudged him forward and he swallowed again.
My parents and Ella’s—who previously had been in the midst of a long conversation at the other side of the table—stopped to watch.
“Ella and I h-have news.” My twin wiped his sweaty brow, beads of perspiration clinging to his forehead. “We wanted to wait until everyone was—”
“We got married!” Ella slapped a hand over her mouth as the whole table exploded in shock.
“WHAT?”
“When?”
“WHERE?”
“Couldn’t even wait for your own family!” That was my mother.
Alex cringed and looked toward the ceiling while Ella responded to her own. “Two weeks back. We were going to wait for the Candidacy when the rest of you would arrive but—“
“But I couldn’t wait.” Alex’s face was stained crimson.
Ella blushed. “He told me if he couldn’t marry me that day he would die a thousand deaths.”
“Alex?” My father was grinning. “Alex said that?”