Clusterfuck
Roarke
It was late by the time we got back to my place on the other side of Glenfinnan, but I knew I had to update Krispin on what had happened at my father's house. Devin went up to our room and I yearned to join him.
Closing my eyes, I put my head back and exhaled loudly.
I’d forgotten how comfortable this recliner was.
I had not been home for nearly a year. I’d been gone even before meeting Devin in my need for distance from my father.
I opened my eyes and looked at Krispin, who was waiting patiently for me to speak.
“Coming here, I thought I'd only have to deal with my overbearing father. It turns out we have to deal with a crazy-ass lord of the neighboring Dragon circle,” I said with a shake of my head. A part of me wished we had never come here, but I knew it would have been worse if we hadn't.
"Tell me what happened," Krispin commanded.
“At first, I got into it with my father. He disrespected Devin and I. I revealed my new lineage and was ready to come to blows, if necessary. Then my da got in the mix and put us both in our place.”
I smiled, thinking of my dad. He was so strong for such a little man, I knew he loved me and wanted the best for his family.
"We achieved a tentative truce, and I felt my father's acceptance after I explained everything, but then Lord Finnley showed up for dinner," I continued, exasperated.
"Apparently, Aaran told my father we were coming home. He didn't tell him about Devin, but my father knew we were on our way here. My father thought it would be a grand idea for Finnley to get to know me."
"How bad did it get?" Krispin asked.
"Bad. Finnley blew up. He threatened the circle. That he would raze it to the ground unless I bonded with him. He gave my father until the end of the week to bring me to my senses." I growled the last part. "After he issued his threat, he stormed out of the house."
I stopped talking. Krispin's face was a mask of rage. It was a fearful thing to see the Dragon King when he was angry.
"What is your father doing to fix his lack of judgment?" he snarled.
"After Finnley left, my father called his inner circle to prepare them for a possible attack," I explained. "He also called for an emergency council meeting. There hasn't been a war between dragons in nearly two millennia. The hope is that he can stop Finnley before he can start."
"Why is Finnley so set on this union?" Krispin asked.
"I don't know. Devin asked the same question. My father didn't seem to know, but I think he was holding back," I replied, voicing my impression.
"Why do you think your father is holding back? For what gain?"
I shook my head. "I don't know. He got all tight-lipped, and I think… I think he fears Finnley, and I don't know why."
"Do you think Finnley wants your father's seat on the council?" Krispin asked pointedly.
I paused; it was the question that I had been asking myself all night. My father was definitely afraid of Finnley, and that made little sense. Father was the Red caste representative, and the Red caste was the warrior caste of dragons. But Finnley hadn’t batted an eye in delivering his ultimatum.
"I don't know. To my knowledge, Lord Finnley is of the Green caste and can't really challenge my father for his seat. It’s just odd that my father fears the man," I replied.
It made me crazy; it was like putting together a puzzle when we didn't have all the pieces.
"Finnley's a green dragon?" Krispin asked in surprise.
I nodded. "Yes, he's of the Green caste."
"It would be impossible for him to hold any seat on the council or even challenge for the seat," Krispin said. I looked at him in confusion.
"The Green caste was banned from holding a seat by me. My brother, the betrayer, was the last to hold that seat, and he was of that caste," he said sadly.
Damn, I had forgotten the king's brother, Kenneth, had joined forces with an evil mage and killed his family to take the throne. Krispin had killed them both.
"Could that law be changed?" I asked. Maybe that was why my father feared Finnley. Perhaps he had friends on the council.
"It would take either my say-so or unanimous approval by the council." Krispin paused, looking thoughtful. "When is the council meeting set for?"
"Most likely tomorrow night. My father said they are sending representatives to Lord Finnley and requesting his presence."
“I'll be coming with you to the meeting. If there is treachery on the council, I want to know about it.” He sighed before continuing, “Times are changing. I need to take an active role in ruling our people, not just be king in name only."
I nodded my agreement. It was time for Krispin to take his rightful place.
“I will have Cam and Jackson stay here with Ben and Callum. I'd like a dragon to stay with them as well.”
He looked pensive.
“Angus seems a capable and loyal dragon. Do you think your brother would do it?" Krispin asked.
"Absolutely. If you ask him, he will die protecting them," I responded.
My brothers, all of them, would do it. Even Aaran, who could be a pain in the ass, would still have my back and would gladly serve the king.
"Good. Perhaps you could have your brothers join us for breakfast in the morning," Krispin said.
"I'll call them and make sure they are here. Do you want all my brothers?" I asked, confirming.
"Yes, have them all here. Have your parents join us as well; I want to meet them," he replied, standing up.
"I'm going to bed. We will talk more in the morning. Get some rest, Roarke."
He placed his hand on my shoulder. "All will be well, my brother."
For a few minutes, I sat there, texting a message to Angus to tell him it was vital that he and the whole family, including our father, come to my house for breakfast. I waited for his response and thought of everything that had happened in just these short days.
Why couldn't it be easy? I just wanted to live in peace with Devin. My phone chimed.
Angus
Ok brother. I'll make sure we're all there, even if I have to drag father ;-)
I smiled and got up and climbed the stairs to join Devin in bed. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.