His eyes flew open with surprise. “What? What man?”
“I’m in love with a king.”
He really stared at her now. “What king?”
She laughed at him in jest. “The King of Azlyn, you ninny.”
The implication of what she said finally took hold. His countenance changed. “What has he done?” There was an anger in his tone, and she was surprised at its aim. She stood from the bench and placed her hands on her hips.
“He has done nothing except keep me safe and expressed his love for me.”
“Melenthia, you’re a bright girl, and I know you know better. Words from a man such as he is bait for what he really wants. You know who you are talking about, right?”
She sighed in exasperation. “Yes, Kevaan, I know exactly who he is and what he was, but no more. I may not be the sharpest pike in the armory, but I can read people’s hearts. He loves me. I promise you that.”
He stood up now and looked at her fiercely. “You didn’t…” He let the accusation hang in the air.
She glared at him. “That’s none of your business.”
“What? I’m your brother, and now your king. It is my business.”
She tried playing with him, tried to get him to realize how ridiculous he was being. “First you and father are irritated with my lack of cooperation, now you’re angry when I finally choose to cooperate.”
“I don’t fault you for wanting to make a choice after everything that has happened, everything you have been put through, but only in the choice itself. He took advantage of your vulnerability.”
She was getting angry herself. “No, he didn’t! The choice was mine. I’m a big girl, Kevaan, and I can make my own decisions about my life.”
“Why, Melenthia? Why him?”
“Because he’s not the man you think. I didn’t just fall victim to a poetic tongue. It goes deeper than that. And I didn’t just fall for him the moment I laid eyes on him either. The feelings have been growing for months. He’s the one, Kevaan. Believe what you will.”
Kevaan looked at her and sighed, frowning, not with disappointment at her, but in himself instead. He took her hands in his and kissed her knuckles.
“I’m sorry I lost my temper. I know you’re a grown woman with grace and intelligence, but it’s hard for me to see you that way sometimes. In my mind you’re still a little girl begging me to play hide-n-seek with you. I knew the grown-up woman was in there somewhere. I’m just surprised to see her.”
She smiled admiringly up at him. “I know, but it’s time for you to stop and realize that I am grown-up. There are things you need to know; then you really will see that I’m no longer the same woman you remember.”
“I will give you my blessing, and him, if that will make you forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. I know you’ll always be my big brother no matter how old I am. But you and I are the only family we have left, Kevaan, and we’ll have to stick together if we’re going to get through what’s coming.”
“Yes, I know.” He took a big breath in. “What news do you have?”
She bit the inside of her lip in contemplation. She thought it better that Sol and the elf told him themselves. He’s been shaken up enough with her declarations.
“Come on, let’s join the others in the conference room. We need to do this side by side.”
He looked down on her again, “I’m happy if you are, Melenthia. I’m so proud of you. I’m relieved that you’re safe.”
“For the moment.”
He kissed her cheek and they left the room hand in hand.
CHAPTER 29
Kevaan and Melenthia sat quietly on the garden bench. Melenthia had her feet dangling in the pool. Kevaan was twirling his sword around in his hand, the tip pressed into the soft garden soil.
They had been sitting like that for about an hour, all the words that had been exchanged in the conference room swirling around both their heads like bees in their hive. Nothing could be said that would change the situation, but Kevaan felt like he should have words of advice or wisdom for his sister. After today, he would no longer see her as the awkward little girl fighting for affections from everyone she met. She was mature and wise, and he saw in her a light that he had never noticed before. A light of truth. He didn’t know why this burden was given to her, but who was he to question destiny?
He looked over at her now, smiling lovingly, re-sheathing his sword in its scabbard at his side. He touched her bare arm, and she looked up at him.
“I don’t know what to say to you now. It used to be easy for us to talk, but now I find myself at a loss for words.”