Page 38 of Crimson Kingdom
She nodded, searching his features before throwing her small arms around him like she had done with her own children, with us, so many times before.
Evander’s expression wavered ever so slightly as he stood frozen like a statue, unable to move for several heartbeats.
Then, he did something entirely unexpected. He hugged her back, his shoulders deflating as she spoke quietly enough that only he could hear.
Had I ever seen him hug anyone?
I forced my eyes away, a maelstrom of emotion making my chest go tight.
That moment wasn’t meant for me.
And in spite of how much of anaalioEvander was being in general, I couldn’t help but hope that he had been comforted by whatever my Aunt Isla had said.
CHAPTERTWENTY
After breakfast was finished, we headed to our first council meeting to discuss terms of a potential alliance between Lochlann and Clan Bear.
As Evander had helpfully pointed out, Theo was not needed for these meetings, so our number was one smaller than it had been the day before.
Theo assured me it was fine, and that he would spend the time with the men from Elk or getting to know the castle better. Though he smiled as he said it, his eyes betrayed his uneasiness.
I didn’t blame him, though I mostly wished I was the one excluded from listening to the myriad ofaalioways Evander insisted on this alliance.
“I still don’t understand why you think a handful of days will change my mind when I was already in talks with a perfectly viable alliance,” I said after we had been talking for a while.
“Because, while Elk might beperfectly viable, it doesn’t make nearly as much sense as Bear does.” He raised a single, condescending eyebrow. “The better question is, why wouldn’t you change your mind, when it’s the superior choice for your people?”
“Because you’re a giant arseling,” I said matter-of-factly.
“Rowan.” Mamá sighed my name, not quite bothering to chide me.
Evander only shrugged. “We won’t have to be around each other if you’re concerned about that.”
I gritted my teeth. “Ah, yes. How could I forget about your glorious plan to inhabit different kingdoms? Because nothing says unity like a couple who can’t even live in the same castle.”
Was he actually going to double down on this plan? Was there any reason I thought he wouldn’t?
“You’ve brought up problems, and I’ve provided solutions.” He spread his hands wide.
Well, that answers that.
“Princess Rowan isn’t wrong, though,” MacKinnon offered. “If--”
“No.” My father’s voice was flat, his word cut off sharply at the edges. “Ye already pushed her into a marriage alliance. She’s doing what she can for her people, at your urging, and I willna stand for more than that.”
“She is indisputably safer here,” MacBay added, his tone a bit heated as well. “It would hardly add to unity if something else were to happen to her on Socairan soil.”
MacKinnon sat back in his chair, shaking his head softly while Uncle Oli leaned forward with his peacemaking expression.
“If Lord Evander is offering the benefits of the alliance with the added protection of the princess staying here, it isn’t a terrible thing to consider,” he said in a far calmer tone than everyone else had been using.
Then they all spoke at once, each of them debating the merits of this arrangement. While the council argued over this, my mother watched me curiously. I tried to keep my features neutral, regal, but I suspected she could see right through them.
She always did.
“What about heirs?” Jocelyn’s voice rang out louder than the rest, silencing the men at the table.
She was only a bit taller than I was, with straight blond hair and delicate features, but when she spoke, people listened. Probably because she chose her words carefully, whereas I tended to say everything that popped into my head.