“You’re more beautiful than I remember, Princess. I’m very happy to have you here with us. Come, let’s go find your brother.”
He offers his arm and I don’t know if I should take it or not. Luke and I discussed seeing Oliver again. He knows how much Oliver wants me as his, but my choice is made and won’t change. I look back to my prince, who inclines his head, silently telling me it’s all right to take his arm. While I don’t need his approval to do anything, I would want him to extend the same courtesy if it were the other way around. I turn back and see Oliver and Luke have locked eyes. I loop my arm through Oliver’s and tug him forward. I don’t want these two fighting, especially over me.
We all walk inside the walls; immediately I notice it isn’t as bright and lively as Azure is. There are only a handful of vendors and they watch us with open curiosity. I would have thought they hated us, but maybe my father wasn’t a great leader. He could have treated his people like shit, for all I know, and they are happy Luke killed him. Also, we don’t know what Reid has said about us to them.
Arm-in-arm, Oliver and I lead the men through the courtyard. I take a quick look at Ryland. He seems content to follow for the time being. He dressed in a deep navy, long-sleeved shirt paired with black twill pants. We get to the tower house where we walk past guards and finally into a grand dining room. There is a long wooden table with a feast spread out. The walls are decorated in shades of green and their crest is prominent on the wall.
The only man in the room is Reid, my male mirror image. His dark hair is tousled in a way I’m sure he intended. He first extends his hand to Ryland and they exchange pleasantries. I don’t believe they’ve met before this. From what Luke has said, Ryland steers clear of the battlefield. He said he’s not meant to fight, only rule. Yet, King Azure does both and so did the previous King Pine. Even Reid dressed in armor that day at the border.
Next, Reid turns to me. He smiles, takes a step forward, but stops. Luke and the rest of his men stop behind me. He’s so close to my back I can feel heat coming off of him. Oliver scowls next to me and I swear Luke growls. Seriously, these are grown men behaving like animals. I’m not anyone’s property!
I step out of Oliver’s grasp, away from Luke’s warmth, and forward to my brother. We’re even in height. He’s wearing an outfit almost identical to Oliver’s, but Reid’s shirt is a lighter green. I’m unsure of how to greet him. We didn’t have any time to talk or get to know each other. Leaning in, I give him the most awkward hug of my life. I can only imagine what the two of us look like. Maybe two guys trying to hug it out, certainly not family. I pat him on the back and pull away. Glad that’s over.
“Alison, I’m so happy you’ve come,” Reid says smiling. Luke steps up beside me, Oliver on the other side. I resist every urge I have to roll my eyes. “Prince Lucas,” Reid addresses Luke. “Thank you for coming. And you as well, Prince Elliott. Let’s sit and eat before the food gets cold.”
We all take seats at the table. Being Reid’s sister, I’m offered the seat to his left and Ryland takes the one opposite me. Elliott sits beside Ry, then Oliver next to him, and Luke takes the chair on my other side. The rest of the Elite sit down wherever they want. There are four Pine guards within the room as well. They stand along the walls quietly.
We begin our meal and conversation is kept light. About the time dessert is served, we turn the talk to the peace treaty.
“As you know,” Reid begins. “My father never wanted to sign the treaty. I tried on many occasions to persuade him, but it couldn’t be done. After my mother, our mother,” his eyes find mine for a moment and his face becomes somber, “left, my father changed. One of our seers came by and told him how our mother had a baby girl and had no plans to return, even though she held the key. As you can imagine, this didn’t go over well with him. His mood shifted and he became ruthless. He lashed out at anyone who disagreed with him. He treated our people terribly. Food wasn’t abundant for those in lower standing. He killed a man right in front of everyone for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family.” I draw in a sharp breath as he continues, noting my expression. “I won’t go into more detail. But he was on a tirade for a long time.” I’m glad I didn’t have to live through that and was with my mother. I wonder if him not signing the treaty was one of the reasons my mom left. She and I were a lot alike, as is Reid. All peacekeepers.
“With your father gone, you feel like the time is right to sign?” Ry inquires.
Reid nods while swallowing the bite of food he has in his mouth. “I think it’s what our people want and know it’s what I want. Alison and I are the only members of our family left. I have to do everything in my power to keep the peace between our two kingdoms. I don’t want any more war. No more death. I want us to all coexist, like you do with the other kings. Once we’re through here I’ll be approaching the other kings to ensure peace all around, but it starts with Azure.” Luke had explained to me that Azure wasn’t the only kingdom Pine went to war with. His was just hit more often than the others.
“I’m happy to enter into an agreement with you,” Ry states.
Reid smiles. “Good. Let’s have dessert, and then we can go through the agreement and sign.”
A couple of women with emerald colored dresses enter the room with dessert trays. The Elite start chatting it up with Oliver and learning about each other’s army.
I take this chance to ask Reid the question I’ve been wondering the answer to. “Reid, how old are you?” Luke reaches beneath the table to give my leg a squeeze. We’ve both been quiet up until this point.
Reid smiles. “I’m twenty-eight.”
“Four years older than me.” He nods. “Do you remember Mom?” The question is blurted out with no thought whatsoever. Shit. I watch his face drop a little. This can’t be an easy topic for him.
“Barely. I have a few memories and they are mostly good. Her singing to me, putting me on her back and hiking. I also remember her leaving and crying myself to sleep for many nights. Dad was of no comfort, and I was pretty much left with a nanny to soothe me. I retreated into myself a lot and blamed him for her leaving. If he didn’t need to war with everyone, maybe she would have stayed.” I reach over and grasp his hand in mine to give him a gentle squeeze.
“I think there was more than one reason she left,” I say, stopping there. No way was I going to divulge about King Azure and Rya.
“She’s…she’s gone, right?”