Page 61 of Scars & Starlight
The woman in question scoffs. “I believe it’s protocol for little princes to run from their aunties’ sloppy kisses.”
Grinning at the women in my family, I let go of my match for a moment to throw them a quick hug, then shoulder check my brother before slapping his back – our version of an embrace. Zeriah eyes me with her chin up, no doubt trying to get my attention. Ignoring her, I return to Tara’s side and place my hand on the small of her back.
“Are you going to stare at us or feed us?” I ask the still-gawking Avaren. “I had all my meals in the Talon’s cockpit for the last few rotations and fear I’ve forgotten what a table looks like.”
I squeeze Tara’s side as I speak, thrilled to see a flush spread over her face. She knows what my favorite meal to have in the cockpit is, after all.
“By all means,” my mother says dryly. “I would hate to be known as the ruler who starved her oldest son and heir.” Her grin softens when her eyes move to my princess, and she holds out her hand. “Come with me, dear. I would love to learn more about my new daughter now that you’re finally here with us.”
After a moment of reluctance, Tara steps out of my embrace to lock arms with the queen. I let them take the lead, my sister and aunt following right after, the three Avaren females much taller than their human counterpart.
“I’m truly happy for you, Brother,” Vaelen murmurs in their wake.
I’m sure you are,a cynical part of me says, one that doesn’t understand how a male could covet his brother’s partner, especially having seen the darker sides of Zeriah’s personality evolve during our time together. Did he expect she would change for him? Such creatures don’t change; they only grow bolder with time.
I don’t say any of this out loud, of course. Instead, I do my best to give him an honest smile. I’m afraid he’ll learn his lesson sooner rather than later without my interference.
“Thanks, Vael.” I change the subject. “Is there anything new in the multistoried entity that is Avaris’ politics?”
My former partner blows air out of her nose. “You never bothered with politics before, Kairen. Why start now?”
“Zee,” my brother warns sternly. “He doesn’t need to spend marks upon marks in forums, that’s what he’ll have me for when he is king, what his firstborn will have me for when he or she rules many cycles from now.”
Zeriah purses her lips. “Perhaps we will be the ones bringing forth royal heirs, Vaelen. Perhaps the human is defective in some way and–”
Her words are cut off by my deep growl and my brother’s steps coming to a halt, her forward momentum putting a strain on their linked arms.
“Ouch!” she hisses. “You’re hurting me, Vaelen!” she says loud enough for the females ahead to stop and look back at the commotion.
“What’s happening there?” Mother asks, her voice saying what her words aren’t: she has no patience for nonsense.
“Your son hurt my arm, that’s what,” Zeriah pouts, rubbing her now-free hand with the other.
“I merely stopped walking,” Vael says through clenched teeth, his eyes, so similar to our mother’s, sparkling with anger.
“Zeriah, when did you become such a bitch?” I ask my former partner, clenching my fists so I don’t do something stupid for the insultto my match.
The bitch in question braces her hands on her hips, the so-called injury already forgotten. “Maybe when my brother was killed and his murderer was crowned princess instead of facing execution.”
Another low rumble leaves my throat. “Zaiem knew what the punishment for attempting to force himself on a female was before he did so,” I begin. “Who meted it out does not matter. He was dead the moment he set foot into that med bay as a rapist.”
Zeriah blinks at my words, then her lip curls before her hand comes flying out toward my face. I could stop her, but let the slap be an awakening for my brother instead. The look of shock on his face tells me he might be slowly realizing just what kind of female is sharing his bed. Zeriah turns on her heels and marches off into the courtyard as Mother gasps into the silence that follows the hit.
“Guards!” she calls, her eyes blazing with fury.
“No,” I say calmly. “Let her go.”
“She is not sharing a table with us,” the queen decrees, and I don’t have any objections.
I look at my stunned match to make sure she’s not too upset, then round on my baby brother.
“I know,” he says, shutting his eyes tight. “Not only is her father lobbying to have Mother dethroned, but she’s been making snide comments since her brother died. Or perhaps it’s since you found your match,” he adds bitterly. “I will dissolve our partnership.”
“I’m sorry,” I say quietly. I’m not sorry for her, I’m sorry for him. “I know you loved her since we were young.”
Vael shakes his head, his bluish-black hair gleaming with the movement. “Perhaps I’ve always only been in love with the idea of her,” he mutters. “It blinded me to who she really is.”
Mom comes to our side and takes her younger son’s hand in hers. “Let’s go inside, darling.”
