Page 40 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
“First, though, we need to make sure that Azadeh is being welcomed accordingly,” Gillean says.
“What are you thinking, my king?” Beta Quinn asks.
“A welcome party,” he says, looking at his family and ranked members expectantly. “How about we make it a winter ball?”
“It’s always winter here, Dad,” Flinn says with a grin. “No need to emphasize the word winter.”
His father just shakes his head at him. “Winter themed,” he says. “A masquerade, maybe.”
At his words, Kilah perks up fractionally. She has been awfully quiet during the dinner, but the word party seemed to have finally woken her interest.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Beta Quinn says and sounds surprised. His king glares at him, making the other man just shrug. “I’m just saying the last idea you had didn’t end so well.”
I have to suppress a laugh at the two men bickering. My father would have never allowed one of the members of his military staff to talk to him like that. But Gillean is different. He seems to really cherish his friendships.
“I’m not one for parties, normally,” Alana interrupts their bickering. “But, this is a fantastic idea, Dad. I’m intrigued.”
“How about you organize it, Alana?” Gillean asks with a cheerful smile. “I know, you are busy with training, but soon you will participate in an outside mission. I’d like to take advantage of you still being here, before I have to let you fly out into the world. Also, you have a good strategic mind. I’m sure you can put something together in a short time.”
His voice sounds warm, and Alana smiles. Before she can even answer, Kilah frowns. “Alana is not feminine enough to get assigned such a task,” she grumbles.
“What does femininity have to do with that?” Flinn asks, annoyance in his tone.
“I have to agree with Flinn,” Caelan tilts his head. “I don’t understand the point.”
“It’s just… you need to know about clothes, and style and decoration,” she points out. “And, Alana is more like a man than a woman. What’s your mate going to say when they see you?”
Hurt flickers through Alana’s eyes, but soon she puts up a calm front again. “Just because I wear my hair short and like to be outside, it doesn’t make me less of a woman.”
“Not very princessy of you to say that, Kilah,” Flinn sneers, and unlike his usual teasing tone he sounds actually angry this time. “What would your mate say?”
Endellion elbows him and shakes his head.
“Enough of that,” Gillean says sharply. “As far as I’m concerned, any person would be lucky to be mated to one of my children. That goes for you,” he says while looking at Flinn, before turning his attention to Kilah. “But also you, Kilah. And Alana will organize the party however she sees fit. End of discussion.”
Alana doesn’t say anything, but I can see Ita exchanging a gaze with Tynan, both of them clearly looking upset. It reminds me of what Royan told me before… how these three are really good friends. The dinner continues, but eventually, Kilah puts her knife and fork down. “I’m finished,” she says calmly before getting up. “I’m not hungry anymore. Excuse me for tonight, as I have something to study.”
Her father nods at her. The others aren’t really paying attention, but I can see her lips quivering slightly. Opposite me, I can see Endellion watching her leave. He sighs but doesn’t say anything.
“I apologize,” Gillean says earnestly once Kilah has left, and the dinner gets wrapped up. “You must be truly horrified by our awful behavior.”
“Not at all,” I say. “It’s so lively here. I’m not used to this.” When the others look at me, a hint of pity in their eyes, I realize I probably gave away too much. I make sure to smile at them. “It’s just not one of our customs. Family means less in my country.” That’s a blatant lie. Family means a lot to the desert people, just that I wasn’t included. Shayan seems to think the same as he frowns at my words but doesn’t argue with me.
*ALANA*
“Hello, my girl,” I say softly while petting my mare’s neck. She is a beautiful horse, tall, with off-white fur that blends into the surroundings. She is quite tough to ride on as she doesn’t easily accept a rider, but she accepted me from the first moment on. Just like me, she is different, and we instantly bonded.
“I knew I would find you here.” Ita’s voice reaches me from behind.
“It’s not like I was hiding,” I say evasively.
“I have a better idea for what we can do instead of sulking here,” Ita tells me. “Let’s go for a run.”
“I like that thought,” Tynan chimes in. “We could go for a hunt!”
“Of course you are here, too,” I sigh.
“Come on, Princess,” he grins brightly. “Let’s go and hunt!”
