Page 1 of Orange Spell
Chapter One
The palace was buzzingwith anticipation.It wasn’t often that such a big party was organized, and it was even less often that their king had two children.
They were the reason behind the party.Curran was happy for his king and his king’s consort, but hereallycould have done without the mess that came with the celebrations—people everywhere, the smell of food wafting through the hallways, loud music.Curran was too young to have been at parties like this because the old king hadn’t allowed the clan to participate in celebrations, but he’d heard stories, and he knew how they went.
Maybe he was a prude, but he didn’t see anything interesting in getting drunk and spending an evening throwing out every inhibition.There was no appeal to any of it, and as soon as he’d found out about the party, he’d wondered if he could get out of participating.
He didn’t know yet, but he was going to try.
He just wasn’t in the mood.The king’s kids weren’t Curran’s, and considering the clan was still rebuilding part of the palace, Curran thought there were better things to focus on.Other people didn’t share that belief, but they didn’t have to.It wasn’t like Curran wanted the king to cancel the party.He just wouldn’t go.
“I can already tell what you’re thinking from your expression,” his mother said.
Curran turned to Alaina.“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, yes, you know.You also know what I have to say about it.”
Curran groaned.“I just don’t see why I need to go.”
“To celebrate our king.To celebrate the fact that, since he has two children, our clan will be safe and sound for the next generation.”
“You can’t know that.The kids might be terrible rulers.”
Yarra snorted from where she was putting together their lunch.“Do you really think any child of Killian’s could be a bad ruler?”
“Well, his father sucked, so I don’t see why not.”
“But Killian isn’t his father.”
“That’s the only reason the clan is still standing.”
Alaina shook her head.“I don’t understand why you’re so negative.”
“And I don’t understand why everyone is supposed to be happy.I mean, yes, I am happy, but I don’t see the need to spend an entire evening getting drunk and making a fool of myself.”
Alaina arched a brow.“Do you think that’s what’s going to happen if you go to the party?”
“Isn’t that what usually happens at parties?”
Curran’s mom sighed.“It’s been a long time since there’s been a party like this.You don’t know what it’s like when the entire clan celebrates together, but you should.”
Curran had seen enough celebrations to be sure that he didn’t want to find out.The old king might not have wanted the clan to celebrate, but he and his friends had never hesitated to do so.“Look, you can do what you want, but there’s no reason for me to go.I can stay home, have fun by myself, and I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Your brother will be disappointed not to see you there.”
That was a low blow, and Alaina knew it.Curran didn’t want to give her the satisfaction, though, so he smiled sweetly.“Birch is working today.He won’t even notice I’m not there.”
“How about Marlin?Ishe working?”
“He’s not.”
Curran knew it had been the wrong thing to say when he saw the smile his mothers exchanged.Dammit.They knew about his crush on Marlin—he was pretty sure the entire clan, except for Marlin, knew—but they’d always stayed out of it.Hopefully, they’d continue doing so.
Curran didnotwant to be humiliated in front of half the clan.He especially didn’t want to be humiliated in front of his brother since Birch was going to be there and would be sober.His job was to protect the king and the king’s family, and while Curran didn’t expect Hedley and the children to be at the party, the king would have to make an appearance.Birch would be with him since he was his bodyguard.
A knock on the door should have made Curran feel like he was saved, but he knew who it was, which meant he knew that his situation had just become worse.He groaned when Alaina got up from her chair and went to open up.“You should leave him out there,” he muttered.
“I know I didn’t just hear you telling your mother to abandon me outside in the cold,” Deryn said as he walked in.
