Chapter Twenty-Three #4
Alec stared at their mother. “Sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Eimear cut him off.
“Sit, all of you.” She gestured toward the plush armchairs.
Two were already stationed before their father’s old desk.
Eimear left her mate’s chair and moved for another armchair in a corner, but Saoirse beat her to it, carrying it across the room before the High Lady could even try.
Eimear sat first, her chair positioned right in front of the desk. She curled her bare feet into the cushions and Alec grabbed a small blanket and draped it over his mother’s knees. He sat in the seat beside her. Saoirse sat across from their mother. The two males eyed one another.
“Sit,” Eimear commanded again. Rion sighed and obeyed, his gaze never leaving Alec’s.
He doubted his brother would strike out in their mother’s presence, but this very room was the foundation of the tension that had poisoned their relationship over the years.
Alec hadn’t looked surprised to walk into the room whatsoever, which meant the male likely spent a great deal of time contemplating their father’s death.
Uncomfortable silence blanketed the space. Rion could have sworn their father’s ghost bore down on them, watching every movement, every breath.
Alec was the first to shift, clearly uncomfortable with the present situation. If Rion didn’t know any better, he’d say their mother enjoyed her children’s discomfort a bit.
“I’m going to speak plainly and I need you all to listen.
War is coming.” They sat straighter, eyes locked on their mother.
“You already know this, but I’ve seen what we’re to face …
” she trailed off. “And at present, I don’t see a future beyond it.
” Rion gaped. “This could very well be the end of our race as we know it.”
Silence permeated the space.
“So what do we do then?” Saoirse asked. Rion could see the hope dimming in her eyes.
“We fight. We pray. And we hope The Divine can do something I’m unable to foresee.
This stays between us. I’m telling you three because you are my younglings and—” She glanced between Alec and Rion.
“Because I need you two to work together.” Alec had gone very, very still.
“There will come a moment,” Eimear said.
“When the life of one of you will hang in the balance. It’s important you remember where your anger should be directed.
” Eimear looked up at her eldest child. “You already know the truth behind what happened to your father. Take time to process it, but don’t point that anger in the wrong direction any longer.
Your brother was never meant to be hated or feared. ”
Alec’s jaw clenched, anger flashing behind his eyes. “So you want me to bow to him? Call him king?”
“No,” Rion interrupted before his mother could answer. “Vairik or no, I have no right to be called such. I don’t want anyone, least of all you, bowing to someone like me.”
Alec’s lips were set in a grim line. “What then?”
Eimear spoke again, her voice so, so calm.
“I’m not asking for forgiveness or reconciliation.
I’m simply asking you to put your knowledge, resources, and experiences together for the sake of our continent and people.
Because if you don’t, if you let anger blind you, then you might as well hand us to Vairik yourselves. ”
Alec paled.
Saoirse clasped her hands together. “Are you trying to tell us that the fate of this world hinges on these two liking one another?”
“I’m telling you that working together as allies is more important than past conflicts, and that if those in power can’t look past their differences, then ultimately, nothing we do will matter.”
“What about him and Arianna, then?” Rion flinched at her name and the implication of Saoirse’s words.
Eimear gave her daughter a small smile. “While Vairik’s influence has caused a sadness, Arianna will not stand by while her people are killed. She will work with us, even him, if it means saving this continent.”
“You’re sure?” Rion asked, doubt flooding through his body.
“I’m sure. And in light of the grim future, I think some secrets can be shared tonight, wouldn’t you agree, Alec?
” They all turned to him and for a split second, real fear shone in Alec’s dark eyes.
Alec’s lips parted and he swallowed hard.
“This room is safe,” Eimear said. “No one will overhear us.”
“What’s wrong?” Saoirse asked, concern etched into her features. “Did something happen?”
“Oh, something most certainly happened.” But their mother was … smiling. Staring at her eldest son with pride. Saoirse’s eyes flicked between them quickly, confusion knitting her brow.
“You already know,” Alec whispered. Were his hands … shaking?
“Saoirse doesn’t. Neither does Rion.”
Alec’s gaze flicked up to Rion and hardened again. His fists clenched. “I—”
“He’s not a threat,” Eimear whispered, then leaned forward to rest one hand over Alec’s.
“You tell them.”
Eimear smiled again, so broad and pure. “We’ll be welcoming another youngling in a few months.”
“What?” Saoirse exclaimed, looking between her brothers. She focused on Alec’s rapid heart rate, the way his shoulders were tensed. “There’s no way. I’ve never even seen you with a female.”
“I keep that part of my life private.”
“But I’m your sister,” Saoirse exclaimed.
“Even more reason.” A slight smile crossed his face, even as the anxious lines returned. A youngling. Alec was going to have a youngling. Someone who would continue their bloodline.
“Who is it?” Saoirse pressed. “Who’s the female?”
“I’ll introduce you later.”
“Gods, Alec,” Saoirse sat back in her chair. “I’ve never even met her?”
Another smile. “Maybe once. You clocked it for what it was then.”
Saoirse furrowed her brow as if thinking through every conversation she’d ever had with her brother. “How far along?”
“About four months,” Eimear replied.
Saoirse threw up her hands. “So you knew even before—Gods, that was before we even went to Móirín. No wonder you’ve been so damn moody.”
“I resent that.”
“Congratulations,” Rion said. Alec looked up at him again, studying his brother, assessing whether he might be a threat to his unborn child. Never. Rion would let his body be torn apart before he’d ever hurt an infant, let alone his own family.
“Thank you.” It was strained, but Rion could see the resolve in Alec’s eyes. The need to protect and do whatever it took to ensure they won this war. Because if they didn’t, if they failed, if they fell, then everything would fall with them.