Page 2 of Orange Spell
“In the cold?We’re inside the palace.”
Curran’s best friend shook his head.He looked disappointed, but Curran knew he was just playing around.“The hallways are really cold, Curran.Why would you want to do that to me?What did I ever do to you?I’ve always been a good friend.”
“Right now, you’re a good friend who’s going to force me to go to the stupid party.”
“It’s not stupid.Don’t you want to celebrate the two princes?”
“We don’t even know if they’re male or female.”
“That’s why we have to go to the party.”
“We won’t find out at the party.The babies aren’t going to be there.Hell, it’s going to be a miracle if the king is.”
“Well, Killian has better things to do, but he was nice enough to organize all of this for us.You wouldn’t want to disappoint him, would you?”
“The king won’t care if I’m there or not.”
“One of his personal bodyguards’ brothers not being there is something people will notice.”
Curran squinted.Was Deryn making fun of him, or did he actually believe that?“Why would they?”He wasn’t important.Hell,Birchwasn’t important.He was a bodyguard.
Deryn pouted.“Please?At the very least, you need to come with me to make sure I don’t do anything stupid.”
That much was true.Curran might not want to celebrate, but nothing would stop Deryn from doing so.He should be safe in the palace, but knowing Deryn, he might find a way to get himself into trouble.As his best friend, it was Curran’s job to ensure he didn’t.
Even though there was nothing he wanted less than going to the party.“I hate you,” he muttered.
“You know that’s not true.You love me.”
“Sometimes, I wonder why.”
“You don’t need a reason why.I’m adorable.”
“You’re too old to be adorable.”Deryn gasped, but he was smiling, and Curran couldn’t help but smile back.“You know I don’t like parties.”
“I know, and I’m not saying you need to stay the entire night.Hell, I don’t thinkIwill.”
Curran snorted.“Sure you won’t.”
“I do like parties, but I’m not going to force you to stay there with me the entire night.We can have fun for a little bit, and then you’ll go home.”
“Aren’t I supposed to keep an eye on you?”
“Then we can go home together.”
Curran knew how annoying Deryn was when he didn’t get what he wanted from experience, so he doubted he’d be able to convince his best friend to go home before the party ended.He could still make sure that Deryn was safe, though.
He sighed.“Fine.I’ll come to the stupid party.Just know that I won’t be having fun at all.”
Deryn’s smile was evil.“We’ll see about that.”
* * * *
MARLIN WAS GLAD HEwasn’t working.It wasn’t only that protecting Killian was going to be harder than usual because of the people celebrating the king and his children.It was also because he couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone to a party.There hadn’t been many reasons to celebrate before Killian became king, and even after he had, things had been hard.The clan had gone through a war, had lost people, and welcomed others, and they were still rebuilding their home.They’d lived through hard times, but things had started looking up, and now, it was time to celebrate.
This wasn’t only for Killian’s children, although their birth was the official reason for the party.It was about celebrating the clan and everything they’d gone through.It was about celebrating how strong they’d been.
All in all, Marlin was looking forward to it.He’d try not to do anything too stupid because even though he wasn’t working, he was still Killian’s bodyguard, but he could relax and let go for one evening.
