Page 7 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
Endellion throws his arm around Nevyn, head locking him playfully, and tussles his hair. “I don’t know, but now you look funny.”
Nevyn glares at him and straightens his hair. “I was about to tell you I missed you, but seeing you now I’m not so sure anymore.”
“We missed you too,” Endellion says. It’s funny how he and Nevyn are the only ones in the family with black hair, but still the both of them look so different. Whereas Nevyn looks soft and pretty, Endellion looks rugged with his broad jaw, and his silver eyes. He has the most unique look of us; the doctor said his silver eyes come from a genetic anomaly, but fuck it, he looks dashing, and I say that as his envious brother. Credit where credit is due!
“Speak for yourself,” I smirk. “I didn’t miss my annoying siblings.”
“Really? What about me?” Alana chimes in, laughing slightly. She knows she is my weakness. She hates all those representative royal duties as much as I do. We also look similar, both of us have red hair, we love our independence and making our own choices.
“You know I will always miss you,” I grin, grabbing her hands and twirling her around. She laughs and snorts at the same time.
“Are you really the oldest?” Kilah asks. I hadn’t noticed her approaching, but I assume she must have heard the commotion. She always tries to sound regal and dignified, and unlike Alana, she always dresses prettily.
She loves being a princess, and I know I shouldn’t say this, but I find her attitude annoying as fuck sometimes.
“Here is where you are wrong. Caelan is the oldest,” I say, smirking when she looks a little bit flustered at my teasing. “Are you sure you can tell us apart, Princess Kilah?”
Her cheeks flush a shade and her lips tremble.
“Don’t listen to him, Kilah,” Caelan says shortly, glaring at me for making fun of her. The three of us don’t even share one trait. A redhead, a blonde and a guy with black hair. We couldn’t be any more different; it’s impossible not to tell us apart, but Kilah just gets on my nerves sometimes.
“Caelan is right,” Endellion nudges her with his elbow and smiles. “It’s good that at least one of us tries to follow a certain etiquette. Gives Dad less of a heart attack.”
Oh Goddess, I hate and love that he is such a goody-two-shoes.
“Talking about Dad; why was he in such a good mood today?” Alana asks, brushing through her short hair and smiling brightly. She always looks a bit mischievous, but she is a good soul.
“Secret,” I say. “If we tell you guys, we’d have to kill you.”
“Who’s going to die?” Eibhlin comes running through the corridor and jumps into Caelan’s arms. It’s funny how she always chooses him to hug and tackle, as he always looks grumpy and broody. Maybe he reminds her of a big, broody teddy bear.
“No one’s going to die,” Endellion sighs.
Caelan frowns and tries to untangle Eibhlin’s arms from his neck, but she doesn’t budge. For such a tiny person she has quite some strength and persistence. People always underestimate her because she looks so young, but she is sixteen and sees and understands a lot. She claims to be the odd one, always dressing in pitch-black dresses - a stark contrast to her pale skin and almost white-blonde hair - and carrying her creepy porcelain doll with her.
“How about we go have some tea and cake?” I offer.
Caelan frowns. “Didn’t you want to check the damage the blizzard has done?”
“You know what they say,” I grin. “Without cake, no make.”
“I’ve never heard that before,” he deadpans.
“Don’t always be so boring,” I roll my eyes at him. “Let’s indulge our younger siblings, and spend some time with them, then we can spend the whole day checking the damage the blizzard left.”
I put an arm around Alana’s shoulder and another around Nevyn’s and lead them towards the kitchen. I’m the chef’s favorite; she always makes sure to have some extras for me whenever I drop by. Eibhlin tugs at both Endellion and Caelan’s arms while Kilah gracefully follows us.
Alana turns her head to look at Caelan and Endellion. “Nevyn and I will help you later, don’t worry.”
Endellion chuckles. “Seems like we are outvoted.”
“Aren’t we always?” Caelan grumbles.
He isn’t wrong, but it’s not like any of us truly minds. Mom’s always told us how she was an only child and missed having siblings. As annoying as it is sometimes to have so many of them around, I wouldn’t want to be without any of them.
four
*AZADEH*
