Around seven that night, the cars finally arrived.
They pulled into the front drive like a long snake. I had no clue which car my parents were in, but I stood there in the doorway, eagerly waiting for them. Trip wasn’t around, but that wasn’t surprising.
Finally, my father and Lucy climbed out of the fifth car in the row of seven. He waved, and, to my absolute delight, Lucy looked very annoyed.
“Hey, sweetie,” Dad said. “That was one hell of a ride.”
I laughed. “Right? Starkland is pretty.”
“Beautiful,” Lucy said, sarcastic. “Did you know that they didn’t even give me a chance to do my hair? Barbarians.”
I smiled sweetly at her. “Good to see you too, Lucy. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Yeah, honey, I’m glad you’re fine. I just can’t believe they rushed me out like that. And then shoved us into a car for hours!”
Dad looked at me apologetically, and I just smiled at him. “I’m glad you guys are here,” I said. “What kind of family vacation would it be without my family?”
“That’s a great point,” he said. “Though vacations are usually more fun when there aren’t assassination attempts involved.”
I heard a noise behind me and half turned. Trip walked over, smiling. He was wearing his usual kingly uniform of a black jacket, a white shirt, and no tie. Everything was perfectly tailored and manicured, though I could see the stress and the exhaustion in the corners of his eyes.
“Welcome,” he said to Dad and Lucy. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m sorry about the way things have worked out.”
“It’s okay, Your Highness,” Lucy said, her mood changing instantly. I couldn’t help but repress a smile at the way Trip perked her mood up. Nothing like royalty to put Lucy in a better mindset. “We’re just so happy that you’re extending us this kindness in such a troubled time. Please, let me say how sorry we are for everything.”
“No need,” Trip said. He turned to my father. “How was the trip?”
“Fine,” Dad said. “Thanks again for this, Your Highness.”
“Please, call me Trip.”
“Okay, Trip. So long as you call me Robert.”
Trip laughed and gestured for us to follow him. “Of course, Robert. Are you three hungry?”
“Starving,” I said.
“Good,” Trip answered. “We’ll go get something. My chef made a special little dinner for the four of us.”
Lucy could hardly contain her excitement as we strolled through the halls. Trip led the way with me just behind him. My father gave me a look that I ignored. He had clearly noticed something, though I really wished he hadn’t. It was pretty awkward when your father knew you were involved with a king.
We wound up walking into a small dining room in the back corner of the main building. The table was already set for the four of us, and we took our seats. Trip sat next to me, with Lucy and Dad on the other side.
“This is so lovely,” Lucy said.
“It’s our private dining room,” Trip said, gesturing around. “I used to eat here as a kid. Not a lot of people get to see it.”
Lucy looked pleased as hell, and Trip gave me a quick wink. I realized that he was just placating her, making her feel special. Trip was impressive when it came to reading people and giving them what they wanted.
Soon the food arrived, and I hadn’t been lying when I’d said I was hungry. I felt mainly relief and a slow removal of tension now that my father and Lucy had arrived. For all her faults, Lucy was still family, so I was glad she was safe.
Dad held up his glass of wine. “To the king,” he said. “And to Starkland. Thanks again for your hospitality, Trip.”
“Here, here,” Trip said. “Prost.”
“Prost,” Lucy echoed, and then we drank.
“Tell me, Robert,” Trip said as we began to dig into the delicious meal, “did you go on many vacations as a family?”
“No,” he admitted. “It was tough. Bryce’s mother died when Bryce was very young, and I didn’t marry Lucy here until a couple of years ago. For a while, it was just me and Bryce.”
“Being a single father must be difficult, especially with Bryce. I’m sure she was a handful.”
Dad laughed. “She was when she was young.”
“She’s still a handful now,” Trip said, grinning at me.
“I hope she’s behaving herself,” Lucy said, giving me the evil eye.
I ignored her. “Dad did a great job,” I said. “I’m sure I didn’t make things simple.”
“Nothing is ever simple,” Trip said. “I’m learning that more and more.”