Page 77 of The Prince's Sacrifice

Chapter Fourteen

Pel

They said goodbye to Pamuna, and then Tor and Pel left the nursery. Another guard was waiting to aid in escorting them to the High King. They went down two flights of stairs, and eventually stopped in front of two large double doors. This was definitely more what Pel had been expecting the first time.

Alas, there were no more adorable princesses for him to see first. His stomach flipped, and he tried to still his nerves.

Yes, this was the High King, but he was also Tor’s brother. No, that didn’t work. Pel desperately wanted to make a good impression on Tor’s family, and that didn’t help with thepressure right now. His brain spun wildly… He’d dealt with kings before. Yes! He grasped the thought. He dealt with King Forex every day, and it wasn’t like the man had treated Pel like a son for the last twelve years. He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was just another king. Pel could deal with that.

The doors were pulled open, and Pel and Tor stepped into the room. Pel could feel his heart rate kick up. Yes, this very large and imposing throne room was way more alarming than the nursery. It was even bigger than King Forex’s throne room, and the floor was marble instead of simple stone. Were Pel’s footsteps unreasonably loud? Everyone was staring at him and Tor… but then, theywerethe ones walking the length of the large room.

The ceilings were high, making the room feel even bigger. The walls were filled with the banners of all six realms, and Pel found himself cataloguing each of them, since that seemed safer than looking at who they were approaching.

Tor was striding across the room at a measured rate, which was so helpful, because Pel was afraid he would have scurried if he’d been on his own. He reminded himself that for the first time in a long time, Pel wasn’t alone. He had the definite support of Tor, and he’d support him in return, even if it felt like they were trekking across the entirety of the United Realms to get across this throne room.

Realizing that he was getting a little light-headed, Pel made himself draw in measured breaths and exhale them slowly. He’d met the High King and Queen before. He was going to manage this.

Finally, he made himself look up at the end of the room, the dais, and the two large thrones. He sucked in a sharp breath. Somehow, he’d forgotten that High King Varex was Tor’s twin. Or notforgotten, exactly, but he hadn’t appreciated the ramifications now that he knew Tor so well. This man lookedexactly like Tor—except that he was dressed far better… and the expression on his face was one of severe disapproval that Pel had never seen on Tor’s face.

Pel’s chest twinged, and he found that he wanted to apologize and make it better. He had to remind himself sternly that it wasn’t Tor who was so angry.

He also reminded himself that of course High King Varex wasn’t going to be delighted with his brother just now; he’d disappeared for months and shown up again on the heels of what had doubtless been an extremely uncomplimentary letter from Pel’s father. That was why they’d come to explain.

The High Queen sat next to her husband in a throne that was only slightly less ornate than his. Her bright red hair was arranged in a complicated style on top of her head, and her dress was particularly fine… but the pinched expression on her face and the daggers she was glaring at Tor confirmed that the animosity between them was mutual.

On the High King’s other side, standing just back from the throne, was a tall, thin man whose lips were pressed in a thin line, and his nose was wrinkled in disgust. Pel assumed this was Yomil, the High King’s advisor.

Not exactly a homecoming welcome to be dreamed of. He swallowed nervously.

But he knew the circumstances looked bad. It made sense that everyone was upset. But… yikes. He could see why Tor hoped to talk just to his brother. This didn’t look promising at all.

Finally, he and Tor came to a stop at the foot of the dais. It was one of Pel’s least favorite ways to encounter his father, and a glance out of the corner of his eye showed that while Tor’s expression was bland, his jaw was tight.

He bowed, and Pel hurried to follow his example, making sure to bow low. Somehow, in the drama of the moment, he’dforgotten all court protocol. This was the High King and Queen of the United Realms, and Pel owed them his Fealty.

Only after Tor straightened did Pel do the same.

“Varex, Fernila. Yomil.” Tor inclined his head. “Greetings.”

Fernila and Yomil both frowned, and Varex looked exasperated.

“Greetings? Greetings! Torex, you’ve been gone for months! Is that all you have to say for yourself?”

“Of course not.” Tor sounded faintly annoyed but also as though he were keeping a tight hold on his temper. “It seemed a polite way to begin. I have an explanation, of course. I’m fine, thank you for asking. How are you all? You look well, as usual.”

High King Varex’s lips tightened. Pel hid a wince. He didn’t think Tor hadmeantto sound flippant. He was pretty sure this was actually Tor’s version of his very best behavior… which seemed to be only alienating his family further.

“Let’s dispense with the pleasantries, shall we?” High King Varex said coolly. “Are you trying to kill me or get yourself killed?”

“Of course not.” The strain was more obvious in Tor’s voice, but he kept his temper still. “Varex, I’d like to explain everything, but would it be possible to talk to you one-on-one?”

There was no hint of softening in the High King’s demeanor.

“There is nothing you cannot say in front of my wife and my chief advisor.”

Tor sucked in a breath and blew it out again. “Var, there are some things that—”

“You will not address your king in such a manner!” Yomil snapped.