20. Killian #2
Esemeray leaned against the door in one of Riggs' white tunics, and a smile on her face. “Good morning, Killian,” she said quickly, before glancing at Riggs and blushed.
Riggs stepped in front of her. “H-hey, how did you sleep? Good?”
She nodded, peeking around Riggs' shoulder, staring at Killian, and blinked like a doe.
Fucking blinked.
Killian blew out a slow, long breath. “Hello, princess.”
Killian wanted to tell his father who she was, but Riggs convinced him not to. It was for his own good, even if lying profoundly unsettled him.
“Emmy, was it?” Rhidian asked, as he slid into a chair at the outdoor table.
Birds lining the branches of pine trees chirped, a foul to his less than pleasant disposition. Still, his pulse raced. Killian knew his face was as bloodshot as his eyes.
“Mhm, nice to meet you,” Esemeray said, rubbing her hand over her arm.
“I never get to meet Riggs' friends, so this is nice. Where did you two meet?”
Esemeray blanched.
As if she couldn’t get any fucking paler.
Riggs sat next to Esemeray, shoveling eggs into his mouth. With a hard swallow, he murmured, “Funny story actually; we met at Rudy’s Brews.”
Killian’s fists bunched, the ceramic in his hand cracking. “Liar,” he murmured, glad to be sitting at the far end of the table, away from them.
Everyone turned, their faces blank.
“Is there something you would like to say, Killian?” Rhidian asked, drumming his fingers on the table.
Killian shook his head.
Their father nodded slowly. “What is it that you wanted to tell me? Now that we are all here together.”
Killian slammed his mug on the table, drops of java splashing. “Yeah, Rigsby, let’s talk.”
Riggs' eyes widened, clearing his throat. “So, Father, that bounty we picked up a few weeks ago, well, we got the guy and Killian here decided to…” A mischievous smile spread across his face. “Why don’t you go ahead, brother? You can finish the rest.”
Rhidian braced his hands on the table, staring at Killian. “What did you boys get yourselves into this time?”
Killian glared at Riggs. Reluctantly meeting his father’s eyes, that look of concern on his face again, he sighed. “The thief we captured had a letter about Princess Elora, so we traveled to the Kingdom of Dagon to get intel.”
Rhidian swore low. “And?”
“We got caught and we were arrested.” Killian cleared his throat. “And we have no choice but to find her within seven months or they come storming here to haul us back to the dungeon.”
Rhidian’s brows drew, his tone harsh, “Excuse me, Emmy? May I have a minute alone with my boys?”
Killian rolled up his sleeves, sucking in a sharp breath.
Esemeray stood and nodded, walking inside. Killian didn’t miss the look she shared with Riggs, nor his wink in her direction.
Oh, give me a break.
Riggs puffed his cheeks out, releasing a slow breath. “I told him it was stupid?—”
“Enough!” Rhidian threw his palm out, his fury focused on Killian. “What were you thinking? We don’t need any more money. Between our family business and your bounties, we are well taken care of. The last thing we needed was to be involved with Dagon.”
Killian huffed. “I offered my services to avoid serving time.”
Rhidian gripped the bridge of his nose. “Killian, this girl might be dead for all we know. What are you going to do then?”
“I’ll have to find her body.” Killian shrugged. “The king said dead or alive.”
“And you dragged your brother down with you?” Rhidian asked, wide-eyed.
His stomach lowered.
Everything Killian seemed to touch went down and six feet below.
“No, he got locked up for something else.” Killian glared at his brother. “Tell him what your smart-ass did.”
Riggs looked at their father, fighting his shit eating grin. “I was caught dancing with Princess Esemeray.” He leaned back his chair, crossing his arms behind his head. “Trust me, I had no clue it was her.”
Killian’s anger surged, his chest clenching.
Riggs is a fucking liar.
“I thought they only had one daughter?” Rhidian asked.
“It seems to be a closely guarded secret within the kingdom,” Killian said, trying to maintain a straight face.
“Dagon has always kept secrets,” Rhidian mused, pushing his food around his plate. “When do you leave?”
Killian could feel the disapproval in his father’s stare. “After we forge the last of the swords.” He tossed him a smile, hoping to lessen the tension. “We will stay to help.”
They ate in silence for the next few minutes.
The calm after the storm.
The Whicklock way—yell it out and eat in peace.
Finally, Rhidian broke the silence, glancing at Riggs with a bright smile. “Riggs…I didn’t want to embarrass you in front of your friend.”
The way their father was looking at him made Killian feel uneasy. Like today was important.
Did I forget something?
“Happy birthday, son,” Rhidian said, embracing him with a hug.
A tight smile stretched across Riggs' face. “Thanks, dad.”
He had forgotten that it was Riggs' birthday. Killian offered a small smile. “You’re getting old, brother.”
“Twenty-three.” Riggs flexed. “What are you, pushing your thirties now?”
Killian grinned, flipping him off.
“Enough with that finger,” Rhidian scolded. “By the way, Zander is stopping by later to celebrate, and to bring your gift.”
Riggs' smile fell. “Celebrate?”
His father approached the stained-glass door. “I had your favorite cake ordered.”
“Would it be alright if Emmy stayed another night?”
The way Riggs asked sounded like a child.
Fucking pathetic.
Rhidian laughed. “Don’t tell me you two are a couple?”
Killian seethed, eye twitching.
Riggs blushed, shaking his head. “Just friends.”
“You don’t need to ask me. She is a lovely girl. She can stay as long as she likes,” Rhidian said as he disappeared into the house.
Riggs smiled smugly, cleaning his place at the table, and grabbing Esemeray’s bowl of fruit, and stack of pancakes. “Did you hear that, Killian?”
“Loud and fucking clear,” he growled.
Riggs chuckled, walking through the doors with a swagger that made Killian’s blood boil.
Alone, Killian sucked in a breath of fresh air. He willed himself to stay stuck to his seat, lest he walk in and say something he would regret. Riggs was playing with fire, and this time, Killian couldn’t snuff it out for him.
The death sentence and Riggs still doesn’t learn?—
Princess Esemeray needed to go the fuck home, and Killian would make sure she wished she never came.