Page 134 of The Empire and the Wolf King

Sean looked at Lizbeth. “See?”

Lizbeth’s face was worried. “This is a monumental decision. Ye want tae, Sean?”

“Aye, I believe tis time.”

I said, “I ken tis a big decision, but, Lizbeth, I am the king of a land verra far away, a large kingdom, and my castle is grand. Up tae now I hae been reliant on Lady Mairead tae oversee the household in the castle and the kingdom, but she is stretched thin. She daena hae the skills ye hae. I need ye. Ye are lending yer energy tae the empowerment and aggrandizement of our uncle, while yer brother needs yer energy for our own family’s empowerment and aggrandizement.”

“Oh, I haena thought of it that way, ‘our family.’”

“Aye, I am Magnus the First, a king. Ye are m’sister, ye ought tae come bask in m’glory and help run m’kingdom.”

“What would we do?”

“In exchange for comin’, ye will hae a good safe place tae live, and comforts beyond yer imaginings. I ken ye want a good life, but ye like tae be busy — ye would run m’household, and Sean would hae the choice tae run m’grounds and stables.”

Liam asked, “Ye said there is hunting?”

“Aye, and I hae a stable full of horses.”

Sean said, “I wouldna hae tae be in charge of the flying machines?”

I grinned, “Nae, I winna put m’brother, who was born in the seventeenth century, in charge of m’drone army. I will hae other men in charge of that.”

Liam asked, “But I can fly one if I want?”

Lizbeth said, “And we can come back tae visit?”

“Aye, like we do, whenever ye want.”

Lizbeth said, “Will Lady Mairead be there all the time tae boss us around?”

I said, “Nae, she is goin’ tae travel. Ye will take over for her. When she returns we will keep her busy on her art museum doin’ what she loves. If she bothers us we will command Haggis tae sleep on her bed so she will go tae a hotel in another time period. I am verra good at convincin’ her tae go somewhere more civilized.”

Sean said, “I think we are decided.”

I said, “Ye will come, Sean?”

“Aye, I will tell Maggie — when…?”

“Could ye be ready in a month?”

“Aye, are ye coming, Liam and Lizbeth?”

She met Liam’s eyes. He said, “Even with reservations, we ought tae do it so that our son has a title. Twill be important for him. I canna pass that up.”

I looked at Lizbeth.

“This is verra good news — ye agree?”

She met m’eyes. “Aye, I agree, but it must be known that I hae always been of the mind that twould be a mistake, and I haeonlyrelented because ye begged me tae.”

“Tis true, ye are doin’ it because I begged, I will tell all that it is true. And if ye must, ye can tell our mother that I got down on my knees.”

“She does love that a great deal.”

CHAPTER 60 - THE WOLF KING

THREE YEARS AFTER THE DO-OVER - EARNSIDE - 1304

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