all else was much higher on my list, even before being reunited with Lucius.
Which was why, when Trice was saying goodbye, I grabbed him to me and hugged him, whispering,
“Please get there in time and stay safe.” I felt his hand go to the back of my head and cradle it as he held me to him. He did this before he whispered back down at me,
“Keep yersel' safe, Amelia, 'n' trust na one bit my brother.” I looked up at him in that moment as he allowed the space for me to move, then he cupped my cheek in a tender hold and told me,
“That includes nae trusting th' King.” I looked back over my shoulder as his hand dropped, and saw that the King he spoke of was standing there expectantly, obviously now waiting for me to join him. I looked back up at Trice and nodded, conveying my silent agreement. Trice, in the meantime, accepted this and because of it, now looked slightly less tense before turning his attentions to Vern.
“I know,” Vern said as if replying to some silent demand, and Trice hooked a palm to the back of his neck and pulled him close, so his forehead was now touching that of his brother’s. Then it was in this moment he said it anyway,
“Keep th' lass safe.”
“With my life, brother,” Vern vowed making me get teary at the sight… well, that was until Gryph walked past and said,
“Noo, if we done wi' this mushy shit, let's git going. Amelia, ye be in mind tae go fur th' ballocks noo lass 'n' keep yersel' safe, I hae a feeling Dragons aren't ney th' only one that bites round ere.” I chuckled at this and hit him on the bicep before telling him,
“Well, Gryph, that was really soppy and heartfelt… now get your handsome ass going before Mr Broody here changes his mind.” He let out a full belly laugh, especially when Trice rolled his eyes at my comment.
“Remember whit I said, lass... no one bit Vern.” I nodded again, as Vern came to stand next to me and the both of us watched together as the two McBain brothers left the throne room. Left to take on their own quest, and one that I was praying would be successful.
After this, King Auberon stepped up behind me and offered me his arm once more,
“If it pleases your lady, I am having dinner served early so that we may solve that pesky hunger of yours,” he teased with a glint in his eye. At that moment, Vern stepped up next to me and offered me his own arm and said,
“My lady, it would give me great pleasure to be your escort, now and always.” Vern added this last part whilst looking up at the King and making his intentions known. I looked at the ground and smirked, trying not to laugh at the sound of Vern as he was obviously keeping his promise to his brother. I put my hand in the arm of my guardian, knowing I was making the right decision. Then I said,
“I thank you, kind Sir, for that would be most generous of you.” This was in my poshest accent, trying to sound like an English aristocrat when the King raised a brow in question at my response. But then again, he was most definitely amused, and I was just glad that I was able to keep the King on the right side of a good mood by not insulting him with my decision.
“Very well, I see this time I am forced to concede… but make no mistake, for I will get your beauty to grace my arm once more before our time is up, Princess.” This, he promised after he had lowered his lips to my ear, doing so on the other side from where Vern was stood.
Then, before Vern could tug me away like I knew he was a second from doing, the King spun on his heel and walked ahead of us.
“I think this is the part where we follow him,” I commented, making Vern grin down at me and say,
“You know, by gosh, I think you’re right.” I giggled and he held up a finger in silent warning for me not to say a word. So I ran my own finger over my lips to tell him they were sealed, making him wink one of those beautiful hazel coloured eyes at me and flash a dimple that dipped deeper when