Jaren’s casual comment. Jaren chuckled at their shocked expressions. “It’s not common knowledge, obviously. We use a network of shell companies to protect the location.”
“Okay, I’m impressed.” Slaytor reached for one of the tasty rolls Kari loved and covered it with the delicious fruit spread Kari had found in Jaren’s cooling unit. He was about to take a bite when he suddenly burst out laughing. The others stared at him, waiting for him to share the joke with them.
“Sorry,” he choked as he tried to suppress his laughter. “I just wondered what Father’s reaction would be if he knew the drink he’s completely addicted to comes from the world that you are now queen over. Not that we would ever reveal the source,” he added quickly as Jaren’s eyes narrowed. “Your secret is safe with us.”
“Speaking of your father,” Jaren began, his voice taking on a serious tone. He sensed the tension and worry that immediately bloomed in Kari, and he reached over to take her hand in his.
“We won’t be taking her back.” Trynt looked between Kari and Jaren, his expression grave. “Our baby sister seems truly happy for the first time in her life. We had no idea what Father had planned the night of her coronation. If we had…” Trynt and Slaytor shared a dark look between them. “There is no way we would take her back to Montore and let Father hand her over to Earl Bores.”
“The earl is dead. He followed us off planet and attacked Kari. I killed him.” Jaren’s voice was cold as he shared the news.
Both Trynt and Slaytor raised their eyebrows in surprise. “Well,” Trynt began slowly, “that changes things.” A warning growl emanated from Jaren as he interpreted Trynt’s words to mean they would take Kari back to Montore after all.
“I mean, we still wouldn’t take her back, but it does change our plans regarding Father.” Jaren relaxed and nodded in understanding, allowing him to continue. Trynt glanced sideways at Slaytor, who nodded at him as well. Trynt took a deep breath before he spoke again.
“Earl Bores has been Father’s primary supporter for many years. The earl was extremely powerful—his is the largest of the noble houses—and it has been almost impossible to gather enough support to mount a challenge to Father’s rule. Our people live in fear of both the king and Bores. The two of them together have been a lethal combination. But with Bores gone…” He shot another meaningful look at Slaytor. “Let’s just say this just might improve our chances considerably.” Trynt dipped his head in respect to Jaren. “You have done us a great service, my new brother.”
“You could be killed if you challenge Father.” Kari’s hushed and horrified voice drew the men’s attention. Her face had paled, and Jaren could smell the fear rolling off of her and could sense it flooding through their link.
“True, Karinna, we could.” Slaytor’s normally lighthearted expression was unusually grim. He reached across the table and took Kari’s empty hand in his, squeezing it reassuringly.
“But there are some things worth dying for.”
* * * *
Kari wandered through the quarters she now shared with Jaren. He was with his father in his study and her brothers were off somewhere, probably with Jaxson, so she had the afternoon to herself. She realized she hadn’t seen Marinda today, either. She found that odd, considering how much time her new sister seemed to want to spend with her.
Kari poured herself another cup of caf and stood in the kitchen, her gaze roaming over the living space. Jaren hadn’t been letting her get much sleep at night and she needed the extra jolt to stay awake. Not that she was complaining. Quite the opposite, in fact. If Kari had her way, she would take Jaren up on his earlier threat to lock themselves in their bedchambers. They could come out when they needed food. Or, even better, they could just have a food dispenser installed in the
“Okay, I’m impressed.” Slaytor reached for one of the tasty rolls Kari loved and covered it with the delicious fruit spread Kari had found in Jaren’s cooling unit. He was about to take a bite when he suddenly burst out laughing. The others stared at him, waiting for him to share the joke with them.
“Sorry,” he choked as he tried to suppress his laughter. “I just wondered what Father’s reaction would be if he knew the drink he’s completely addicted to comes from the world that you are now queen over. Not that we would ever reveal the source,” he added quickly as Jaren’s eyes narrowed. “Your secret is safe with us.”
“Speaking of your father,” Jaren began, his voice taking on a serious tone. He sensed the tension and worry that immediately bloomed in Kari, and he reached over to take her hand in his.
“We won’t be taking her back.” Trynt looked between Kari and Jaren, his expression grave. “Our baby sister seems truly happy for the first time in her life. We had no idea what Father had planned the night of her coronation. If we had…” Trynt and Slaytor shared a dark look between them. “There is no way we would take her back to Montore and let Father hand her over to Earl Bores.”
“The earl is dead. He followed us off planet and attacked Kari. I killed him.” Jaren’s voice was cold as he shared the news.
Both Trynt and Slaytor raised their eyebrows in surprise. “Well,” Trynt began slowly, “that changes things.” A warning growl emanated from Jaren as he interpreted Trynt’s words to mean they would take Kari back to Montore after all.
“I mean, we still wouldn’t take her back, but it does change our plans regarding Father.” Jaren relaxed and nodded in understanding, allowing him to continue. Trynt glanced sideways at Slaytor, who nodded at him as well. Trynt took a deep breath before he spoke again.
“Earl Bores has been Father’s primary supporter for many years. The earl was extremely powerful—his is the largest of the noble houses—and it has been almost impossible to gather enough support to mount a challenge to Father’s rule. Our people live in fear of both the king and Bores. The two of them together have been a lethal combination. But with Bores gone…” He shot another meaningful look at Slaytor. “Let’s just say this just might improve our chances considerably.” Trynt dipped his head in respect to Jaren. “You have done us a great service, my new brother.”
“You could be killed if you challenge Father.” Kari’s hushed and horrified voice drew the men’s attention. Her face had paled, and Jaren could smell the fear rolling off of her and could sense it flooding through their link.
“True, Karinna, we could.” Slaytor’s normally lighthearted expression was unusually grim. He reached across the table and took Kari’s empty hand in his, squeezing it reassuringly.
“But there are some things worth dying for.”
* * * *
Kari wandered through the quarters she now shared with Jaren. He was with his father in his study and her brothers were off somewhere, probably with Jaxson, so she had the afternoon to herself. She realized she hadn’t seen Marinda today, either. She found that odd, considering how much time her new sister seemed to want to spend with her.
Kari poured herself another cup of caf and stood in the kitchen, her gaze roaming over the living space. Jaren hadn’t been letting her get much sleep at night and she needed the extra jolt to stay awake. Not that she was complaining. Quite the opposite, in fact. If Kari had her way, she would take Jaren up on his earlier threat to lock themselves in their bedchambers. They could come out when they needed food. Or, even better, they could just have a food dispenser installed in the
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