“So you’re not going to kill me?” Chris asked, half–joking, though I could sense the genuine fear behind his words.
“No, Chris. In fact, I want to offer you and your family protection. There are people who want to eliminate our family for their own gain. Helena was one of them, but there are others. I believe you’ll be safer here at the manor.”
Chris’s expression turned serious. “I know about the threat. Five months ago, someone tried to kill me. That’s why we moved to Fireland. I thought it was you, but now I see it might have been these people you’re talking about.”
“You believe me so easily?” I asked, surprised.
Chris smiled slightly. “If you wanted me dead, you wouldn’t bother bringing me to the manor. You’d just kill me.”
I couldn’t help but return his smile. “You’re smarter than I gave you credit for.”
The conversation continued, but I found myself suddenly overwhelmed. I stood abruptly, not yet ready for an extended family reunion.
“My wife will show you to your quarters,” I said. “Please make yourselves comfortable. If you need anything, just ask.”
As I left the room, I caught Berry’s questioning glance but shook my head slightly. Seeing Chris was more difficult than I had anticipated. It was like looking at a younger version of my father, and I suspected that resemblance was what had driven my father to betray my mother in the first place.
He had paid the price for that betrayal. I didn’t mourn him, but I was glad Chris wouldn’t suffer for it anymore.
I made my way back to the meeting room, my mind still processing the encounter with Chris and his family. Berry had done an excellent job making them feel welcome, but I knew the hardest part was yet to come, integrating Chris into the
family properly.
As I pushed open the door, I found Evanth already there, lounging in one of the plush chairs with a glass of amber liquid in his hand. He looked up as I entered, his expression guarded.
“Done playing happy families?” he asked, his tone caustic.
I felt a flash of irritation burn through me. “You should have been there to welcome Chris,” I said, not bothering to hide my disapproval. “He’s our brother, whether you like it or not.”
Evanth scoffed, taking a long sip from his glass. “I have no interest in getting acquainted with that bastard.”
“Don’t call him that,” I snapped, “Chris is not a bastard. Father recognized his mother, which makes him legitimate. And if you’d bothered to meet him, you’d see he’s nothing like what you imagine.”
“Oh? And what is he like, then?” Evanth asked, voice dripping with sarcasm.
I leaned against the table, crossing my arms. “He looks remarkably like Father. But his personality couldn’t be more different. He’s kind, uninterested in politics or power. Has a mate and twin children. All he wants is to live in peace with his family.”
Something shifted in Evanth’s expression, a flicker of shame, perhaps, or curiosity. The harsh lines around his mouth softened slightly.
“You don’t need to carry on Mother’s vendetta,” I continued, my voice gentler now. “Our parents made their own choices and mistakes. We don’t have to perpetuate them.”
Evanth stared into his glass, his knuckles white around it. “Where is he
“Berry is helping them settle in. They’ve traveled a long way and the
Evanth nodded slowly. “I’ll… I’ll meet him later. Maybe.”
It wasn’t much, but it was progress. I decided not to
now?” he asked after a long pause.
ildren
Turther for now.
Once the tension had lifted, Kieran started giving his report.
ve tired.”
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