Page 75 of The Prince's Sacrifice

Tor’s steps were assured as he led the way through hallways that were decorated with tapestries, paintings, and other costly decorations. Tor was seemingly paying no attention to any of it, but Pel was trying to pick out landmarks and track their progress.

There was a tiny possibility he was going to end up living here, in which case getting to know the castle was a good idea. Regardless, he’d prefer not to be completely lost. Besides, if he concentrated on the decor, he didn’t have to think about the fact that the next conversation he had—with the High King—was likely to determine his future happiness.

It was normal to feel sick to your stomach in a moment like this, right?

Pel didn’t know what he’d been thinking this morning, but he’d dressed in his regular dark tunic and hose. Tor was dressed plainly as well. Wearing their cleanest clothes had certainly made the most sense at the inn this morning, but surrounded by the wealth and comparative opulence of the castle, Pel realized the error of his thinking. This wasnotwhat he should be wearing to meet the High King… but suggesting that they turn roundand go right back to the inn was probably a transparent delaying tactic.

The only reason he didn’t suggest it was because he was afraid Tor would accept the excuse. Pel didn’t think he could take the ongoing tension.

A door with two guards posted outside appeared to be where they were heading, and Pel’s stomach lurched. Maybe they really could come back later. Maybe—

Tor flashed the guards a grin, tapped on the door, and headed inside.

Steeling himself, Pel followed, and found… a nursery? There was a pale-skinned, dark-haired young woman with a baby who looked up as they entered.

“Your Ma—” She cut herself off, head tilted slightly to one side. Her eyebrows rose. “Your Highness. I… didn’t expect you.”

“That’s because I sneaked in,” Tor told her.

She snorted, and then tried to look like she hadn’t just made such a sound.

“I want my baby time before my brother starts his scold.” He held out his hands. “Gimme, gimme.”

Looking amused, she obediently rose to her feet and brought over the baby.

Tor pulled Princess Cala into his arms and beamed down at her with a besotted smile that Pel had never seen before.

“Hello, sweetheart,” he murmured. “And how is the most beautiful baby in the entire United Realms?”

Pel had assumed this was a rhetorical question, but the little princess looked up at Tor, then gave the most beaming smile Pel had ever seen and began to chatter incomprehensibly at him. He watched as Tor practically melted before his very eyes.

“Yes, you really are the most beautiful baby ever, yes, you are. You’ve gotten so big while I was gone! I can barely believe it. Hasyour life been very boring? Did you throw up on your mother like I asked you to? I won’t tell anyone, I promise.”

Pel watched, transfixed, as Tor cooed over his niece. It was one of the cutest things Pel had ever seen. It was clear they adored one another. Tor tried to eat her fingers and then gasped in shocked amazement when they appeared unharmed after all. The baby shrieked with laughter, and Tor laughed back.

If Pel hadn’t been in love already, this would definitely have done it for him. He’d never thought of Tor as a possible father before, but he would clearly be amazing.

Then Tor looked over at him and said, “Sorry, this is a terrible surprise, isn’t it? I brought you here and then got distracted. Pel, I’d like you to meet Princess Cala. Cala, sweetheart, this is Prince Pel from Tond. Geographically, they’re the furthest away, but as you will soon learn, they produce the most awesome people. Pel, come say hello.”

Pel couldn’t do anything but come over and have the baby placed in his arms. He tried not to panic, and Tor slipped an arm around him and assured him that he was doing just fine.

“You’re doing a great job. And see, she likes you.”

She was staring up at him solemnly, and then she grabbed onto his tunic with chubby fingers and yanked as hard as she could.

Pel hunched over even as he winced, trying to keep a firm grip on her.

Tor leaned closer, cheerfully disentangling her fierce little fists as he said, “She wants to get you naked. How very discerning of her. Sorry, sweetheart, but this one is mine.”

Pel felt his ears heat as the attendant laughed softly.

Tor grinned. “Oh, sorry, there go my manners again. I’m very scattered today. Pel, that’s Pamuna, Cala’s nurse. Pamuna, this is Prince Pel. From Tond.”

“Where they produce the most awesome people. So you said.” Pamuna still sounded amused. “Have you let your brother know that you’re here?”

“Definitely not,” Tor told her without hesitation. “But I assume one of the guards at the door will figure out that I’m me and not Varex, and they’ll no doubt inform him, and then I will be swept off to be lectured—and I probably won’t be able to escape and come back here until at least tomorrow. But I can’t miss seeing this precious baby girl, so I’m seizing my moment.”

Pamuna laughed. “All right. I’ll be sitting over here. Yell if she spits up on you.”