Page 32 of Drakken Star
She twisted and grabbed his cheeks. “Father and Uncle Tyr will be fine, right Papa-moon?” Raisa peered into his eyes as if seeking the truth.
“I believe so. I can feel them.” Manning tapped his heart. “Here. I can feel their confidence. Father knows Papa-sun is coming for him.”
“Papa will bring him home.” She nodded her little head, the pale red stones in her braids clacking like tiny punctuation to her surety.
Reykos’ laughter made Manning grin. He lifted Raisa off, resumed his seat, then put her back on his lap. “Papa, did you hear? Tasssina is going to be a counssilwoman. Are you happy, Tasssina?”
Svandis beamed at her grandson. “Very. I like it here on Volé with my ssonss and my grandchildren.”
“That’s me,” Reykos said, slapping his chest.
“And me,” Raisa chirped.
Svandis gazed around the table. Manning tried to project his happiness with this new twist.
“Iz that wise? Two ssetss of Vidareem?”
Manning regarded Dizuno with pursed lips. “Four Drakken Kings lived here.”
Dizuno shook his head. “Four individual kingss lived here. Not triumviratess.”
Manning placed Raisa on her feet and stood. He placed his fingertips on the table as a brace, then leaned in Dizuno’s direction. “There is only one Triumvirate. The blood of three Drakken Kings runs through the veins of our son.”
There was a collective gasp from those assembled, except for Bjorn, Father Lyurn, and Father Tailyn, all of whom showcased smug grins.
“Papa? Why iz everyone sstaring at me?”
“Get used to it, kid,” Ivar chuckled, bouncing Reykos on lap.
The remark broke the odd silence that had descended after Manning’s declaration of Reykos’ eventual rule, and he laughed lightly along with Ivar. Did he feel bad that any child of Bjorn and Tyr wouldn’t be crowned? Not particularly. By the time Reykos was grown and any potential heirs born by his brothers hatched, they’d all have had plenty of time to figure out the hierarchy of reign.
First, their focus needed to be on rescuing Kayluth and Tyr, then maybe they could get Tyr and Bjorn bonded. Bjorn had dallied too long, and Tyr had waited more patiently than Manning expected considering his younger brother’s sometimes brash behavior.
Ivar tapped the table, drawing Manning’s attention. “East Gate has spotted them entering the landing dock. A Drakken named Einar is on duty. He said Kayluth signaled him with two fingers bounced twice in a downward motion. Do you know what he means?”
Manning slid his hand over his mouth to cover his grin as he nodded. That was their signal for Brandt to drop to his knees and await further instructions, but no way was he saying all that. “Yeh, he wants us to wait.”
“I’ll let Sekvyn know.”
The sight of little Reykos leaning his head against Ivar’s in order to listen in on the conversation mesmerized Manning for a tarran.
He felt a smidgeon of remorse announcing Rekyos’ place in line for the throne the way he had, but they’d been unsure when to make the announcement. Soon after the babes had been born, Manning and Bjorn had met in secret and made the decision that Reykos would be named heir-apparent. The only other ones who knew had been Brandt, Kayluth, and Kayluth’s fathers.
Manning glanced at his brother. Bjorn’s smirk, wink, and mouthed ‘thank you,’ eased Manning’s worry. Bjorn seemed relieved to have the proclamation said and done.
“Yeh.” Reykos cupped Ivar’s hand as his uncle held the small microphone close. His quick smile brightened his expression. “Love you, Papa-ssun. Bring Father home ssoon, okay?” He nodded in reply to whatever Brandt said. “Raissa, Papa-ssun ssaid we have to be good for our Tassairss and Tassinass, and he promissed to bring uss ssurprissess.”
Manning side-eyed Father Tai at the other end of the table. He surreptitiously gave Manning a thumbs up. Thank the gods for Tassairs who loved their grandbabies and always had little gifts on hand. Of course, maybe Brandt did find something unusual along the way, but Manning figured it was more a ploy to keep the littles from worrying.
It appeared to work as his babes chatted amicably with whomever spoke to them. Manning, however, pressed his palm to his rapidly thumping heart. It was only because he couldn’t feel his mates’ distress that kept his anxious mind from panicking.
Chapter 10
Kayluth
Signaling to the gate guard had been almost too easy. Kayluth just had to hope that his motion was relayed to Moondrake who would, of course, know exactly what he wanted Sundrake to do. They needed to wait because Hazer had something up his sleeve. Though hesitant, Kayluth was intrigued. The Fenrir wanted him on his ship for some reason, and Kayluth only had his word—the swear on his son’s life—that he meant them no harm.
Best case scenario… Sundrake and Orm waited, but not too long, giving him time to learn whatever Hazer felt he needed to know. An arn… maybe two at the most should be enough, then he’d be ready to return to his mates. Hel, he was ready now, but he’d sort of promised Hazer without saying those exact words.
