Page 105 of A Warrior's Heart
“I need to see my father,” Lorcan responded, gripping the trident. “Is he at the palace?”
“Yes, Your Highness. He’s expecting you.”
Lorcan nodded before walking down the path, soldiers moving out of his way and bowing their heads in respect. It came as no surprise that the king was expecting us. His scouts had more than likely seen the Crimson Night return to Emerald Cove and had alerted him prior to our return.
Commoners smiled upon seeing Lorcan, a smile that fell when they then looked at us following behind him. I felt their unease. It was the first time the prince had been to Avalontis in four years.
We walked up the palace steps and entered the entrance hall. Councilmen greeted Lorcan in surprise, but he paid them no mind. Their eyes widened when they saw the trident.
A magical hum came off the weapon, and anyone in its presence felt the power of it. Lorcan had worked on honing its magic during the weeks it had taken to travel home, and while he still had much to learn, he seemed more confident with it in his grip.
Guards stood outside the throne room and quickly opened the doors for Lorcan when he approached.
King Triton sat on a spiked throne made of bone and fishermen’s net. Jewels were tangled in the net, matching the ones adorning the king’s long silver hair. One hand rested at his mouth while the other tapped the arm of his chair. A small ebony throne decorated with gold and gemstones sat beside him—the place Lorcan had always sat when the king held court.
“By the gods, it’s even more beautiful than I remember,” Triton said, eyeing the trident. His gaze was almost predatory.
“Father.” Lorcan stopped at the foot of the stairs leading up to the throne, the weapon catching the light. “We have matters of importance to discuss.”
“Indeed. It appears we do.”
A patter of small footsteps came from the left side of the room. Theron’s wavy hair bounced as he ran toward Lorcan, a bright smile on his young face.
“Thery!” Lorcan bent to swoop him up in his arms, his hard expression lifting as he held his son.
Alek rushed forward, wrapping his arms around both his son and his mate. They kissed Theron’s chubby cheeks and said how much they missed him. The boy smiled as happy tears fell from his big, green eyes.
“He reminds me so much of you when you were a boy,” Triton said. “I thought he might be afraid when I brought him here, but he loves it.”
“You are the one who brought him from the surface?” Lorcan asked, resting his cheek on Theron’s hair.
King Triton nodded. “Theron knows me. I didn’t want to frighten him by sending men he never met.”
It was true that the king traveled to the surface to see Theron at least once a month. He might not have been there much for Lorcan’s upbringing, but he was there for his grandson.
“Malik,” King Triton said, standing from his throne. “You did well.”
I bowed my head to him.
“Your Majesty.” Nereus dropped to one knee.
“Stand, warrior,” the king said. “You’ve done your kingdom proud.” He then glanced at Eva. “Come here, my darling girl.”
She stepped forward and embraced him, her chin quivering before she buried her face in his hair. He had been like a father to her as well, though Troy had been the one Triton had favored the most. Probably because Troy looked just like his father, a man Triton had fallen for once upon a time.
“Where’s Troy?” Triton asked, moving his gaze amongst the men at my side. “Did he forgo coming to see me, choosing the kitchen instead? I was sure to have Gretchen whip up a batch of her blackberry tarts for his arrival.”
Fighting against the searing ache in my heart, I brought forth Troy’s bow and placed it on the marble floor. “He fell to the enemy, my king.”
Shock flitted across his face, then sorrow, as he stared at the bow. It was quickly followed by a calm collectiveness. King Triton wasn’t one to show his emotions. Sometimes I felt the only emotion he knew how to fully express was anger.
“That is… unfortunate.” The king returned his gaze to Lorcan. “Come with me to my private chambers. We will discuss matters there.” He looked at me. “You will join us, Malik.”
“Yes, my king.”
“As for the rest of you.” He looked at Nereus, Reif, and the assassins. “Stay here at the palace tonight. I’ll have the cooks prepare you a warm meal while you rest from your long voyage.”
Alek took Theron from Lorcan’s arms and walked with Eva toward the exit of the throne room. Lorcan stared after them a moment before turning to his father. He shared that same look of indifference as we followed the king through the doorway at the back of the room and down a narrow passageway.
