Resistance

  Daican’s magnetic smile returned. “Thank you.” But then his eyes slid to the empty seat beside him and sparked. “If only all children felt the same as you and I.”

  Kyrin glanced at the chair, and pieces she had not yet considered fell into place. The emperor also had a son, Daniel. Now the queen’s answer to her husband’s question made more sense.

  Daican’s annoyance vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and his gaze switched to Davira with another look of pride. “We’re close, aren’t we?”

  Davira smiled lovingly at him, though something about her sent a chill down the center of Kyrin’s back. “Yes, Father.”

  Attention returned to Kyrin then, and Daican asked about her afternoon with her father and discussed the coming visit from her grandfather and brothers.

  A short time later, the doors to the dining room burst open. Everyone looked up with a start. A young man in his mid-twenties strode into the room. One look at his dark, short-cropped hair, fit build, and amber eyes left no doubt about his identity, though he stood a bit taller than his father. Prince Daniel garnered most of the whispers and female giggles at Tarvin Hall. Inheriting all of his father’s good looks, he had the added benefit of youth that made him irresistible to nearly every young woman within a hundred leagues. And he was decidedly unattached.

  Kyrin stared wide-eyed at him, though it had nothing to do with his looks. She was the only woman she knew who wasn’t smitten with the prince. No, the man drew her gaping with his behavior. He tromped around the table, pulled out his chair, and sat down hard.

  “Sorry I’m late.” He barely glanced at his parents as he snapped open his napkin and laid it on his lap. “I had to dispatch a group of bandits on the way back. A dreadful waste of time.”

  “Daniel,” his mother warned sharply.

  The prince’s brows rose as his eyes settled on her. “What? Don’t believe me?”

  A devilish smirk broke out on his lips.

  “You were to be here on time.” Daican spoke with a sharp edge to his voice, and his eyes glinted as he glared at his son.

  “Like I said, I was detained by unforeseeable circumstances,” Daniel replied without looking at him.

  “And your men will confirm that?”

  Daniel just shrugged and motioned to the nearby servants. “I’m starving. Never had lunch.”

  “Have you even washed up?”

  Kyrin caught the way the emperor’s fist squeezed the life out of his napkin.

  Daniel raised his dark eyebrows to his father now. The prince wore a hunting outfit with a couple of small twigs and leaves still clinging to it. His dark hair flipped out at odd angles from riding, and the distinct smell of pine, earth, and horses drifted across the table.

  “First you scold me for being late and then get after me for not taking the extra time to wash.”

  Kyrin couldn’t imagine using such a flippant tone with her own father.

  Complete silence settled over the table. Daican and his son glared at each other in an intense battle of wills.

  At last, the emperor ordered in a low, controlled voice, “Out.” He then added more forcefully, “I’ll not have you disrupting this meal.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  Daniel shoved his chair back, tossed his napkin onto his empty plate, and strode out of the room exactly as he’d entered. Silence fell again. Kyrin didn’t dare to move and draw attention to herself. If only she could sink into the cushion of her chair out of sight. To witness a heated argument between the royal family on her first night in Auréa was not an ideal way to begin her service.

  She peeked at Daican, who glared at his plate, and then glanced across at Davira. Fire seethed in the princess’s eyes. Beside her, the queen breathed slow, measured breaths. In a moment, Daican composed himself and once more turned a calm expression to Kyrin.

  “I sincerely apologize, Miss Altair. My son has an unfortunate habit of forgetting his place.”

  “I understand, my lord,” Kyrin murmured.

  From that point on, the meal lost a little of its pleasure, though the emperor did his part to keep things light. When they finished for the evening, Daican bid her goodnight with his hope that she would find her position in Auréa agreeable.

  Kyrin left the dining room with a keen desire for rest. As pleasant as the meal turned out to be, the weariness of the day descended and weighed heavily on her shoulders. She couldn’t wait to get the shoes off her pinched and aching feet. Holly waited in her room and helped her change and wash up for bed.

  A gentle tap came at the door just as they finished, accompanied by her father’s voice. Holly opened it to him and bobbed a curtsy. She glanced back at Kyrin.

  “Will there be anything else, my lady?”

  “No, Holly, thank you.”

  The young woman left the room, and William closed the door.

  Kyrin sank into one of the padded chairs at the end of her bed and rubbed her feet. Her father took the seat across from her.

  “Now you look more like the Kyrin I remember.”

  They shared a smile.

  “I’ll hate having to wear that stuff every day.”

  Her father rested back in his chair with curious eyes. “How did it go?”

  She stared at him in silence for several seconds. If not for the vivid memories, the last couple of hours would have seemed like a strange dream. “I’m confused. He wasn’t at all what I expected. He was so…nice. He was kind to me and easy to talk to, and even funny.” She hesitated. “It’s difficult to see him as an enemy. He is our enemy…isn’t he?”

  William leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “I don’t think that’s something that can be answered by a simple yes or no, especially not by me. I don’t know him well enough for that. Like you, in my personal experiences with him, he’s been very kind. But I do know he is opposed to the teaching of Elôm and has done things you and I would never approve of, so that requires caution from us.”

  The rich food Kyrin had eaten churned in her stomach as her encouraging outlook on supper faded. Her father reached out and took her hand, squeezing it securely, the way he had when leading her around as a child.

  “Don’t worry. You’re a smart girl. You’ll figure this out.”

  The next morning brought much more anticipation than Kyrin had expected for her second day in Auréa. She sought her father the moment Holly finished with her hair and cosmetics, after a mighty battle not to fidget with impatience while the girl worked. She and her father took breakfast together and remained in the privacy of the drawing room to talk while they awaited the rest of Kyrin’s guests.

  She chuckled at a story he told of her younger brothers, and then tipped her head a little as her eyes caught on a dark leather cord peeking out from around his neck. “You still wear it.”

  He looked down and reached into his collar to withdraw the cord. A shiny, dark-flecked stone hung from it, matching the blue of their eyes.

  “Always.”

  Kyrin gazed at it. Such a small, insignificant object, yet it represented a much different time of her life.

  “It was so long ago, but I still remember asking Carl to help me make it for you, almost like it was yesterday.” The old gardener’s smiling face played in her mind, and a half smile touched her lips. She didn’t think of him as often as her father or brothers, but she did miss him. He’d always been like family. She couldn’t have made the parting gift for her father without him.

  “It must be a remarkable thing to have all your memories so clear.”

  Kyrin’s smile faded. The quickest and clearest memories to jump to her mind were ones of goodbye, of cruel words, and of nighttime tears. “Not always.” Her throat ached, and the sting worked its way up into her nose, then her eyes. “I just wish I had more memories of home.”

  William put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her hair just above her ear. “So do I.”

  “If only Kaden and I had realized what was at stake. We could have hid
our learning abilities and how we pick up on things.”

  “Ah, your mother wouldn’t have wanted that. She always wanted to see you become something more than you could have back in Mernin.”

  Kyrin tensed under his arm, and her ribs pressed into her lungs. “Only because that’s what Grandfather wanted.” Her voice matched her taut muscles.

  “Perhaps, but that’s only part of it.” William pulled away enough to face her. “Really, Kyrin, she’s very proud of you and Kaden.”

  Kyrin let these words rest in her mind and bit back the urge to argue. Maybe he was right.

  “Keep in mind,” he went on, “had you and Kaden never come to Tarvin Hall, you never would have met Sam, and you might not have followed the King now.”

  The tension released, and Kyrin drew a full breath. A smile even worked its way to her lips. “True. I hate how things are, but no knowledge of Elôm would be far worse in the end.”

  He patted her shoulder. “Very much worse.”

  They grew silent at a knock on the door. A footman stepped into the room. “Excuse me, Miss Altair, your brother has arrived. He’s in the parlor across the hall.”

  Kyrin had just enough restraint to retain some semblance of dignity and not dash from the room to meet him. Who knew when Lady Videlle or a member of the royal family might be nearby to witness her actions. But she did share a huge grin with her father as they left the couch. At the parlor door, she let herself in and closed it just enough to hide her father, for now. Kaden stood in the center of the room with his gaze lifted as he scanned the rich, albeit dark, interior. His eyes dropped to her and rounded.

  “Kyrin.”

  If he intended to say anything else, her enthusiastic embrace cut him off. She squeezed him tightly and relished the sense of security he brought.

  “I know I just saw you yesterday morning, but it already feels like such a long time.”

  She pulled away and took a step back to let her brother look her over. Slowly, his forehead furrowed.

  “Wow,” he said, but his voice was dull.

  “You don’t like it.”

  Their eyes met, and Kaden hesitated. “No.” He was quick to say, “Don’t get me wrong, you look beautiful, it’s just…it’s not you.”

  “I know,” Kyrin put him at ease. “I don’t like it either, but I don’t have much choice.”

  “We never do,” Kaden muttered and half-scowled. “So, why was I summoned?”

  Giddiness fluttered in Kyrin’s chest. “To celebrate my promotion.”

  Kaden cocked an eyebrow, and Kyrin laughed, enjoying the ability to surprise him. “Don’t worry, part of this you will like.”

  She hurried back to the door, peeking around it to grin at her father, and then pulled it open fully as she turned to watch Kaden’s face. At the way his quizzical expression transformed into one of open shock, a pleasant warmth surrounded her heart.

  “Father.”

  They met near the door, where William hauled Kaden into his arms, and they traded a crushing embrace. Tears pushed to Kyrin’s eyes, and she dabbed the corners. She wouldn’t ruin Holly’s work this time.

  William held his son at arm’s length, his eyes beaming. “Look at the fine young man you’ve become.” He glanced at Kyrin. “I’ll say he’s grown.”

  She chuckled again as she watched them with delight—the two men she held most dear.

  Kaden shrugged. “I guess I’ve put on a couple of inches.”

  “You’ve probably caught up with Liam now.”

  “He’s got the Veshiron height too, huh?”

  “Yes, you two certainly inherited your grandfather’s stature, and it won’t surprise me if Michael and Ronny have as well, especially Michael. Already tall and lanky for a twelve-year-old.”

  Kaden shook his head. “Man, I’d like to see them. Michael probably doesn’t even remember us.”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  “A bit much to expect, I guess,” Kyrin said. “He was only two, and Ronny was just a baby.”

  She imagined his little body, so soft and cuddly in her arms, and his big brown eyes, like their mother’s. If only she could hold him again, but he was no longer a baby. Just what did her brothers look like now, ten years older?

  Kaden crossed his arms. “I assume since they haven’t shown up at Tarvin Hall, Kyrin and I got all the special talent in the Altair family.”

  “They’re smart and quick learners, but nothing out of the ordinary,” their father confirmed.

  Kaden glanced toward the closed door and lowered his voice to a sober tone. “Good.”

  William gave a nod of silent agreement, but smiled to lighten the mood. “Come, let’s sit down. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

  Kyrin would cherish the next hour and a half for a long time afterward. She could have spent days with her father and Kaden, reminiscing and talking of home. With them, she was free to be completely herself. Because of this, she experienced a mix of both disappointment and excitement when they received word that the remainder of her guests had arrived. This time, they all met in a larger sitting room.

  The moment she passed through the doors, tears burned the back of Kyrin’s throat. Her eyes misted at the sight of her older brothers’ smiles. Liam stepped forward first, and Kyrin hugged him for all she was worth, for once glad of her shoes to give her a little extra height.

  “Oh, Liam, it’s so good to see you!”

  She let out a quiet laugh at his strong embrace that bordered on painful.

  “Sorry,” he said a bit bashfully as he let her go.

  Kyrin waved off the apology and grinned up at him. The long six years since their last brief visit had transformed her brother from a rather awkward fourteen-year-old to a tall, muscular young man like Kaden. No more awkwardness there. He appeared strong and capable in his soldier’s uniform, yet the quality of innocence Kyrin always loved so much about him didn’t seem to live in harmony with the image he presented. Something about it caused her heart to ache, and she squeezed his arms with a gentle smile before turning to her eldest brother.

  “Marcus.”

  His embrace was more measured and careful, exactly as she expected of him.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” she murmured near his ear.

  She gave him a wide smile and blinked away the sting in her eyes. Four years had changed him too. Both her older brothers had become men, and Marcus looked very fine in his captain’s uniform. It fit him like a second skin, unlike Liam. He had the unmistakable air of someone with authority—calm, collected, and quietly confident, yet possessing a warm smile that could charm anyone. Kyrin loved the way his brown eyes lit up as they did now.

  “Kyrin,” a deep, powerful voice boomed out.

  Her gaze jumped to the tall, massive-bodied man behind her brothers. Though his deeply lined face and white hair gave away his years, his impressive stature still possessed the strength of youth. Marcus Veshiron, or the General as most called him, was impossible to overlook. He dwarfed Kyrin and looked down on most men, except for Liam and Kaden who neared his height, yet were still a bit shy of it.

  Kyrin pushed a smile to her lips, though it took effort. “Grandfather.”

  He stepped forward and took Kyrin into his arms, but the embrace lacked true warmth.

  “Congratulations, my dear. What an incredible honor you’ve brought to your family. You and Marcus both. At last, the Altair line is showing promise.”

  The smile died on Kyrin’s face, and her molars fused together. She glanced at her father, but he shook his head dismissively.

  Kyrin worked her jaw loose and forced the smile back to her lips as she turned to Marcus. “Father told me about your promotion to captain. Congratulations. I know how hard you’ve worked for it.”

  Marcus gave her a look of appreciation, but their grandfather spoke first, beaming with pride.

  “Indeed he has. Proving every day to be a natural leader.”

  “Natural or not, I am just pleased to be
where I am,” Marcus said.

  “As you should be,” the General replied. He nodded at Kyrin. “Both of you.”

  With another fake smile, Kyrin moved toward a nearby couch. The conversation would surely be long, and her heeled shoes already cramped her feet. If only they weren’t buckled on, she could kick them off under her dress where no one would notice. “Why don’t we sit?”

  She sank down onto the cushions with a prayer for patience. Her father sat to her left and Liam to the right while the other men found comfortable chairs facing them.

  “So, tell me, Kyrin, you’ve met the emperor?” her grandfather questioned, his eyes alight.

  “Yes. I dined with him and his family last night.”

  “Impressive, isn’t he? A brilliant leader.”

  Kyrin considered the question and measured each word carefully before speaking. “He’s certainly different than I was expecting.”

  “How so?”

  “He’s much more personable than I imagined. I wasn’t expecting one of such high authority to be so kind to me.”

  Her grandfather chuckled at her—a condescending type of laugh that made her feel like a child. She quietly cleared her throat and brushed her hands across her skirt. Glancing at Kaden, she noticed how intensely he watched her. No doubt, she would have to explain her praise for Emperor Daican.

  “A remarkable man.” The General’s voice hummed with admiration. “There is no greater honor than to serve him. I mean to see each of you reach prominent positions of service.”

  Kyrin cringed inwardly and sensed Kaden bristling across from her. If this conversation went any further, things were liable to get ugly. She opened her mouth to change the topic, but her grandfather’s voice cut her off as he pinned icy gray eyes on her twin.

  “Speaking of which, it has been brought to my attention on numerous occasions that your conduct at Tarvin Hall has been less than acceptable.”

  Kaden’s face grew dark, and his eyes sparked. Kyrin closed her own for a moment. Trust everything to fall apart when the Altair men and the General came together. She begged Elôm to put a restraint on her brother’s mouth.