Page 57 of Daniil
Chapter23
Daniil
The palace cookpacked us an amazing dinner that only needed to be warmed up, so we sat on the back patio enjoying a magnificent sunset, incredible food, and the best company I could ask for.
Sandor and I grew apart out of necessity while we were in exile, and it’s taken us a while to find our footing again as brothers.As a family.Initially, we all struggled to forgive and move on.We made mistakes in our quests for survival, allowing our personal motivations to overwhelm our sense of family.It’s been almost five years since Erik came out of exile and took back his legacy and our country.It hasn’t always been easy, but I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.
Well, except Parliament.
I really despise being a politician.The worst part is how we’ve switched jobs multiple times.Erik was kingandPresident of Parliament, which is essentially like a President or Prime Minister position.He wasn’t comfortable holding the two most powerful positions in the country, so he stepped down and I was President for a while.That wasn’t my thing so then Sandor took over.
It’s been a torturous game of musical Parliament positions.
Now I’m Minister of Foreign Affairs, which is more like the American Secretary of State.Jesper is the Minister of Finance.Sandor is Minister of Defense, much to his chagrin, and Erik is back to being King and President of Parliament.He’s found a candidate to take over for him at the end of this term, which will be in January, but we’re keeping it quiet just in case he has to pivot again.
Hopefully, I won’t have a role in Parliament anymore.Hell, I barely want to be a Protector anymore.I’ve been restless the last year or so, and it’s only getting worse.Sandor feels the same to a degree, but he enjoys running the Royal Protectors.He’d like to focus solely on that since he holds the title of Premiere Protector—the most powerful of all of us.He’s in charge of finding new Protectors, coming up with and implementing the training regimen, overseeing everyone who’s in training, and making sure we all stay on top of our games.
Personally, I find it all exhausting.
I don’t have to work.I could settle into my life as a playboy prince quite easily.The issue is boredom.I know I’d get bored doing nothing but screwing around all day—and I don’t mean that literally.As a Royal Protector, I have purpose.A reason to get up every day.It just seems like everything about my work has become all-encompassing.
I want to make a difference in the world, but I’m pulled in half a dozen directions and while I’m happy to do my part—I fought hard to help my family regain control—it feels like the time has come to push back a little.I’m creeping up on forty and have had zero time or energy for a personal life or the things that have meaning to me lately.
Now that Courtney and Micah are in the picture, I want to step back a little so I can focus on them.Focus on being the best dad I can be while exploring whether or not Courtney and I have a chance of being a couple.I wanted that before I found out about Micah so it’s not a stretch for me, even though I’m not sure she believes that.
Since the children are in bed—we opted to eat late so we could relax—it’s lovely to be able to linger after the meal.All of us except Lennox are enjoying a bottle of wine while she drinks non-alcoholic beer, and I slide my arm along the back of Courtney’s chair.She leans into me, her body language showing me she’s relaxed.
Finally.
“How’s Kostya’s training going?”I ask Sandor, referring to Solange’s younger brother.We’re hoping he’s Royal Protector material but he’s young—and green.
“He’s still doing his military duty, but so far, so good.”Sandor nods.We had a lot of trouble with Kostya until Sandor managed to get him on the straight and narrow.
“How do you choose new Royal Protectors?”Courtney asks curiously.
“It’s not cut and dried, like with a set of criteria,” Sandor responds thoughtfully.“I mean, thereisa list of criteria, but we don’t go looking for people who meet it.We find people we believe are trustworthy and then find out if they’re willing and able to live up to expectations.”
“Doesn’t that make it difficult?”she asks.
“It does.But this isn’t a regular job.Aside from the skills you need, there’s a lifetime commitment.You’re also on call twenty-four-seven.You have to be willing to live in Limaj, though there are exceptions, like with Axel and Solange.And Solange is another exception.From the perspective of fighting skills, combat experience, and overall toughness, she doesn’t fit the bill.However, her skills in cyber security are off the charts.That means Jonas, our current cyber security expert, will be able to move to full-time bodyguard duties, which we need a lot more.”
“But will she still be a Royal Protector?”Courtney asks.“Taking the oath and everything?”
“Absolutely.The number one requirement is loyalty.We have to trust each other with our own lives and the lives of everyone we love.In my book, and in Erik’s, that trumps whether or not you can kill someone using just your thumb and a balloon.”
We all chuckle.
“Just to be clear—I totally can,” Lennox deadpans.
“Same,” Courtney says, shrugging.
Jesus, that turns me on.Everything about her is sexy but it’s the badass side of her that first attracted me—that and her hair.Now it’s pretty much all of her.Kissing her earlier reminded me of how badly I want her, and it’s time to up my game.Both in bed and out.
“This is nice,” Lennox says after a moment.“Getting away, even if it’s just overnight.”
“I wish it could be longer,” Sandor whispers, leaning over to kiss the side of her neck.A satisfied smile graces her face, and she slides a hand into his.
I’m truly envious.
