Page 139 of A Warrior's Heart
Theron ran through the grass as we approached the cottage. He’d grown taller and his silver curls were longer, but he had the same sweet face. I swooped him up and pecked kisses on his cheeks.
He laid his head on my shoulder and slowly moved his feet as they dangled. Malik ruffled his wild curls before kissing the boy on the temple.
“Troy. Malik.” Lorcan stood up from the garden he’d been tending to and used the back of his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. “I didn’t know you were stopping by.”
“You’re king now,” I said, amused. “You don’t have to tend to your garden. You can have someone do it for you.”
“I enjoy it,” Lorcan responded, grabbing Theron when the boy reached for him. “It relaxes me when I’m stressed.”
“Are you well, my king?” Concern filled Malik’s voice.
“I doubt I’ll ever get used to hearing that.” Lorcan opened the door and invited us inside. He placed Theron on the floor before going over to the stove. “Would you like some tea?”
“No, thank you.” It was too hot for tea.
Malik stared at Lorcan. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Sighing, Lorcan turned to us. “Everything’s fine. That’s why I’m stressed.”
I cocked my head. “Huh?”
Nibbling his bottom lip, Lorcan grabbed the gold necklace dangling from his neck. Eva and Alek had found a way to turn the trident into a charm for Lorcan to wear on a chain, much like the conch Triton had worn around his neck. When Lorcan wished to use it, the trident would return to its full size. It allowed him to always have it with him.
“I shouldn’t be this happy,” Lorcan said. “It’s been a year and there’s been no sign of my father anywhere. I’ve taken his place as king and allied with the man who tried to kill him. What type of son does that to his own father? I don’t deserve happiness. And I’m terrified it’s going to be ripped away from me. Or that I’ll destroy my people just like my father did and his father before him. Ezra was my brother, and his soul was black. I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time before I end up like him. Cold. Heartless.”
Malik stepped forward and embraced Lorcan. “Listen to me, son. You of all people deserve to be happy. You carried the weight of all these people on your shoulders. This island thrives because of you. Because of that alliance you made. One day, if Triton ever returns, I know he will be proud of the king you’ve become in his absence.”
Theron ran over and threw his arms around Lorcan’s leg.
“As for becoming like Ezra…” Malik grabbed Lorcan’s chin and forced his face up. “Never. You have the heart of a just king.”
Lorcan cleared his throat and quickly wiped at his eye. He then picked up Theron and bounced the boy on his hip. “You’re almost too big now for me to hold, rosebud.”
Theron gave a toothy grin and wiggled to be let down as the door opened and Alek walked in.
“There’s my sweet bird,” Alek said, stooping low to catch his son and lift him into the air. Theron giggled as he was tossed up one more time, then placed on the floor. Alek went over to Lorcan and kissed him before looking at me and Malik. “Are you staying for supper?”
“Please do,” Lorcan said, hopeful.
“It would be an honor, my king.”
Lorcan groaned. “You do not need to address me that way, Malik.”
Malik returned to my side and slid an arm around me, a smile tucked into the corner of his mouth. I bumped against him, and his smile widened.
Alek grabbed potatoes from the cupboard, and I went over to help him wash and peel them.
“Have you had any more visions?” I asked Lorcan, using a small knife to peel the skin from the potato.
“No. I’ve not had any nightmares either.”
“It has to be a good sign,” Alek said. “You seem to only have visions about tragedies. Maybe fate will be kind to us now.”
“I pray good fortune is in our favor.” Lorcan stared out the window, a peaceful expression in his green eyes. The view of blue skies and ocean put my friend at ease. “James sent word that Eva and Cain will be returning on the morrow.”
At the mention of my sister and her lover, I beamed.
Eva had found someone that made her happy. Cain had left the Men of Shadow and acted as her personal guard during her travels. They had opened an apothecary shop both here and in Talena as well.
