Chapter 25

I sighed in relief when we landed a few hundred feet from the house.

Gudrun looked around us. “This is a nice plot of land.”

I sighed again, “it’s peaceful and boring.”

He chuckled, “peaceful is good when you’re on a break.”

“I’m okay with this location.” The guard, Nyle, who was assigned here said quietly. “I was outside the mage’s dome last week.”

I cringed, “that’s a rough post.”

He gave me a wide-eyed look, “you have no idea.”

Emil still hadn’t said a word.

My father came out of the house, walking toward us. I could tell from his expression that my mother was at her finest right now. “I’m sorry guys.” I whispered.

“For?” Emil turned and looked at me.

“See that crease in my dad’s brow?”

They all turned to look at my father.

“Yeah.” Nyle answered.

“There’s only one thing in the universe that puts that there.” I glanced at them, then back to my dad, “my mother, when she’s off on one of her rants about the guard.” I almost said and the royal family, too, but managed to bite my tongue.

My dad stopped in front of us. “How bad is it?”

He grinned, then rubbed his hand across his jaw. “She’s going to need reassurances that I won’t be going into battle.” He looked at Gudrun, then smiled and put out his hand. “I heard you were back.”

Gudrun shook his hand vigorously. “And just in the nick of time too.”

My dad laughed. “I didn’t hear all the details, but I was under the impression you were in a bad state.”

The seasoned guard nodded. “It wasn’t pretty, but my niece has the gift of healing, so here I am.”

“Your niece is one of the princesses?” My dad asked him.

Gudrun nodded. “She is.”

“I think you know more than we do half the time.” I said hoping we could get this visit over with.

My dad shrugged, “old guards stay in touch.” He stopped talking and looked at Emil, then bowed his head. “Prince, I’m sorry, I was just so surprised to see Gud again.”

Emil shook it off, “not a problem…” He held his hand out to my dad.

“Rowan.” My father shook his hand.

“Rowan.” Emil motioned to the house, “shall we get this over with.”

My dad laughed and looked back at the house.

“Where’s Warin?” I glanced around.

My dad started walking toward the house, “you know your brother, he’s off doing whatever it is he does.”

I snorted, “yeah.” I glanced at Emil, then back to the house, “did you tell Mom about…”

My dad looked at my mate before answering. “No. Thought if you wanted to share that, it was on you.”

I jammed my hand in my pocket and grasped the bands with the trackers in them. “Know any other way to explain to her why a guard has to stay here, and she and Warin have to wear bands with trackers in them?”

My dad stopped walking and opened his mouth, then shut it and shook his head.

“Remind me to punch my brother in the face later.” Emil said under his breath.

I nodded but had nothing to add.

We stepped into the small foyer and just stood there. It seemed very small after being in the palace. I looked around, as always it was spotless.

My mother came out of the library.

“Hi, mom.”

She didn’t smile or bother with a greeting. “Why is your father being called back?” She glared at the others. “He’s retired.”

I nodded.

“He’s being reinstated as an advisor.” Emil said calmly. “To oversee the new rehabilitation facility.”

She stared at him for a moment, then bowed her head respectfully. “I’m sorry, Prince, I didn’t notice it was you.”

Emil offered her a polite smile. “That’s fine.” He motioned to Nyle. “Nyle will be staying here for the foreseeable future, as will another guard when his shift is over.”

My mother frowned. “We need a guard?” She looked at my father.

I watched dad heave a sigh. “Yes, as a precaution.”

“Where are you going to be working that we need a guard?” She looked from him to Gudrun.

Gudrun straightened, then bowed his head. “Gudrun Dalston, ‘mam.”

“Are you staying too?” She put her hands on her hips.

I wanted to back out the door and hide.

“No ma’am. I’m Kinsley’s guard.”

I was sure the whole realm went silent in that moment.

“Why does my daughter need a guard?” She gave me her accusatory look that she should trademark. “What have you done?”

I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, Emil stepped forward.

“She hasn’t done anything, Mrs. Hinton.” He cleared his throat, “she’s my mate.” He took a deep breath, “and as part of the royal family, she must have a guard.”

I dropped my head forward and squeezed my eyes shut tight for a second before straightening again. I looked at my mother. Standing in front of me was a creature I’d never seen. In my life. Just like that, the woman that had hounded me over every detail of my life was smiling and glowing like a flower opening in the bright sunlight.

“Well,” she smiled at Emil, then grabbed and hugged me, “that’s wonderful news.” She turned to my father, “wouldn’t you say, Rowan.”

My father stepped forward and stood beside her. “I would indeed, dear.”

I felt like my brain had forgotten how to speak. Who was this woman and what had she done with my mother?

Emil cleared his throat again, “we have bands that you and your son will be required to wear.” He looked at me and held out his hand.

I prodded myself to make my arm move and pulled them out of my pocket.

Emil took them and held them out to her. “They have trackers in them.” He offered her a charming smile, “we can’t be too careful in watching over our extended family.”

Once again, the woman occupying my mother’s body nodded and smiled. “Of course.” She made a cute little laughing sound, “and thank you for thinking of us.” She took the bands and looked at them. “Does it matter which one I put on?”

Emil shook his head. “No. I will let them know that the first one activated is for you, as your son isn’t here.”

She made a tsking noise and looked at my father. “You should find a position for him while your advising the royal family.”

My dad opened his mouth, then shut it again and smiled at her. “I will look into it.”

“Would you like some tea?” My mother asked Emil.

“Sadly, we can’t at this time.” He said politely, “we have urgent business to attend, but I’m sure Kinsley will invite you to the palace for dinner, soon.”

“The palace,” my mother crooned, “of course. Absolutely.” She smiled at me.

Smiled at me in a way I hadn’t seen since she’d squished me into a ridiculous gown for my cousin’s wedding, fifteen years ago.

“You must be so busy, Kins.” Another smile.

I was starting to get creeped out by this new person.

“Go. Go,” she waved to the door, “I don’t want to interfere with royal business.” She turned to my father, “you’ll be back for dinner?”

My dad nodded. “Of course.”

“He will have a porter to get to and from here, Mrs. Hinton.” Emil said.

“Agnes.” My mother laughed and grabbed Emil and gave him a quick hug, “we’re family after all.”

Emil stepped back, “Agnes.” He bowed his head, then looked at me, “we should get going.”

I nodded. “See you—” I reached behind me for the doorknob, “see you later, Mom.”

Emil looked at Nyle. “Your porter will take you back to the yard when your replacement is here for shift change.”

Nyle nodded but looked too shell-shocked to speak. I didn’t know if it was because of the mate thing, or if the vibes coming off my mother in waves were crushing him too.

My father kissed my mom quickly, gave Nyle a pat, then nodded to Emil.

When we were out of earshot, I looked up at my dad. “Who the hell was that?”

He laughed, “I have no idea, but I haven’t seen her that happy in eighty years.”

“Well,” Emil glanced over his shoulder, “that was better than the reaction I anticipated—I think.” Stopping, he blew out a breath. “I’m still punching my brother in the head, though.”

“Which brother?” My dad asked.

“The Captain.” I told him, “he’s the one that sent Emil with me, on purpose.”

My dad chuckled. “He’ll regret that when she gushes all over him when she sees him.”

I dropped my head down and looked at the ground. “Can we just go and beat on the bad guys now?” I put my hand on Emil’s arm and gave him a now glare.

My dad chuckled as he touched Emil’s shoulder.