Chapter 28 — The Brother Who Hates Him
Prince Kellan decided he disliked Alexander before they had exchanged ten words.
Alexander returned the favor by word twelve.
Amara’s older brother was tall, broad-shouldered, and accustomed to command. He had spent years overseeing part of Azania’s military forces, and unlike the younger members of the royal family, he found nothing amusing about his sister’s relationship with an American captain.
He found Alexander alone near the harbor the morning after the family reunion.
“Captain Whitmore.”
“Your Highness.”
Kellan stopped in front of him.
“My sister trusts you.”
“So I understand.”
“She says you protected her.”
“I did what I could.”
“And yet she attempted to escape from you.”
Alexander sighed.
He was beginning to regret that the horse story had become public knowledge.
“She wanted to reach the coast.”
“You stopped her.”
“She was alone, unfamiliar with the country, and being hunted.”
Kellan’s expression remained cold.
“You decided what was best for her.”
Alexander immediately understood the accusation.
“At the time, yes.”
“That was your first mistake.”
Alexander folded his arms.
“No. My first mistake was allowing her near my horse.”
Kellan did not smile.
Alexander decided Amara’s brother desperately needed a sense of humor.
Kellan began walking, clearly expecting Alexander to follow.
Alexander did.
“My sister is a princess.”
“I know.”
“She has responsibilities.”
“I know that too.”
“She cannot simply marry whoever happens to attract her.”
Alexander stopped.
“Who mentioned marriage?”
Kellan turned.
“You think I haven't noticed?”
“Apparently your entire family has noticed.”
“My sister will eventually represent Azania at the highest level. Her husband must understand diplomacy, royal protocol, our traditions, our people.”
“And you have decided I understand none of those things.”
“Yes.”
Alexander almost admired the honesty.
“The feeling is mutual.”
Kellan frowned. “What feeling?”
“I have also decided you're completely unsuitable.”
“For what?”
“Conversation.”
For one dangerous second, neither man moved.
Then Kellan stepped closer.
“Do you find this amusing?”
“No. I find you irritating.”
“You are speaking to a prince.”
“And you're speaking to an officer who has spent months being insulted by your sister. My tolerance is unusually developed.”
Kellan stared at him.
Alexander stared back.
It was immediately obvious that neither intended to retreat.
Amara found them ten minutes later.
She looked from her brother to Alexander.
“Oh no.”
Neither answered.
“What happened?”
“Nothing,” Kellan said.
Alexander answered simultaneously.
“Your brother is charming.”
Amara closed her eyes.
“Kellan.”
“He is unsuitable.”
Alexander nodded. “Apparently.”
“For what?”
Kellan looked at his sister.
“For you.”
Amara became very still.
Alexander recognized the warning signs.
Her brother did not.
“You crossed an ocean to find me,” she said. “That was wonderful. I love you for it.”
Kellan relaxed slightly.
Then Amara continued.
“But if you crossed an ocean believing you could choose the man I love, you have wasted an enormous amount of sailing time.”
Alexander looked away to hide his smile.
Kellan noticed.
“This is not funny, Captain.”
“I've learned not to interrupt her at this stage.”
Amara pointed at Alexander.
“You are not helping.”
“I'll be quiet.”
She turned back to her brother.
“You don't know him.”
“I know enough.”
“No, you know his nationality, rank, and family name. That is not the same thing.”
“He is not part of our world.”
“Neither was Rourke. He still managed to change my life.”
Kellan’s anger disappeared instantly.
Amara softened.
“I know you're trying to protect me.”
“I failed once.”
The words were quiet.
Now Amara understood.
This was not really about Alexander.
Kellan had been one of the people responsible for royal security. When his sister disappeared, he had blamed himself.
She took his hand.
“You did not kidnap me.”
“I should have found you.”
“You searched.”
“Not fast enough.”
Amara embraced him.
For several seconds, the hostile prince disappeared and became simply her older brother.
Alexander stepped away to give them privacy.
Later that afternoon, circumstances forced Kellan and Alexander together again.
New information had arrived concerning Rourke.
A royal agent had traced one of his associates to a warehouse outside the harbor. The man might know where Rourke was hiding.
Kellan wanted immediate action.
So did Alexander.
That created an unexpected problem.
They agreed.
Within an hour, both men were studying the same map.
“The northern entrance,” Kellan said.
“Too obvious.”
“It is the fastest.”
“Which means anyone inside will be watching it.”
Kellan looked at him.
“What do you suggest?”
Alexander pointed toward a narrow service road behind the warehouse.
“Two groups. Your men take the front but remain visible. My men approach from here.”
Kellan studied the map.
It was a good plan.
He clearly disliked that fact.
“That could work.”
Alexander smiled.
“Careful. That almost sounded like approval.”
“It wasn't.”
“Excellent. I would hate to damage our relationship.”
For the first time, Kellan almost smiled.
Almost.
The operation was quick.
The suspect tried to escape through the rear of the warehouse—exactly where Alexander had predicted.
Kellan caught him.
Alexander intercepted a second man attempting to flee toward the river.
No shots were fired.
Nobody was seriously injured.
Within minutes, both suspects were under guard.
Kellan approached Alexander afterward.
“You were right about the rear exit.”
“I'll try not to mention it often.”
“You will mention it constantly.”
“Probably.”
Kellan looked at him for a moment.
Then he offered his hand.
Alexander took it.
“This changes nothing.”
“Of course not.”
“I still think you're unsuitable.”
“And I still find you unpleasant.”
“Good.”
“Excellent.”
Their handshake lasted slightly longer than necessary.
Neither man smiled.
Both were beginning to.
That evening, Amara discovered them drinking together.
She stopped in the doorway.
“This is disturbing.”
Kellan looked at her. “We are discussing military matters.”
Alexander nodded. “Your brother remains unbearable.”
“And your captain remains arrogant.”
Amara looked between them.
“My captain?”
Silence.
Kellan realized his mistake.
Alexander became extremely interested in his drink.
Amara smiled.
“I heard that.”
“I meant the captain,” Kellan said.
“No, you didn't.”
Alexander wisely said nothing.
Amara sat between them.
“So you like each other now.”
“No,” both men answered.
She laughed.
Later, as Alexander prepared to leave, Kellan followed him outside.
“Captain.”
Alexander turned.
The prince was serious again.
“My sister has suffered enough.”
“I know.”
“If you hurt her—”
“You'll kill me?”
Kellan considered.
“I was going to say you would answer to me.”
“That sounds more diplomatic.”
“I am practicing.”
Alexander smiled.
Then his expression became serious.
“I cannot promise never to hurt her. People who love each other sometimes do.”
Kellan listened.
“But I can promise I will never own her, control her, or ask her to become smaller so I can feel larger.”
That answer surprised him.
Alexander continued.
“If Amara chooses me, I stand beside her. If she doesn't, I help her go wherever she chooses.”
Kellan studied him for a long moment.
“You really love her.”
“Yes.”
The prince sighed.
“That is inconvenient.”
“You sound exactly like your sister.”
This time Kellan laughed.
Only once.
But Alexander counted it as victory.
The older brother still considered him unsuitable.
Alexander still considered Kellan insufferable.
But somewhere between the argument and the warehouse, hostility had become reluctant respect.
For Amara, that was more than enough to begin with.