Page 92 of The Broken Prince

Grandmother came to my side, looking out the window as she folded her hands together in front of her, her spine straight and her presence regal. She’d had this energy since I was a little girl, and nothing had changed now that I was an adult. “That’s one fine man you’ve got.”

A grin moved into my cheeks. “He’s a snack, isn’t he?”

“He’s a feast, my dear.”

I chuckled at her comment, loving the fact that we could have conversations like this, like friends.

“I can tell your father approves of him as a soldier, but not as a suitor.”

“Well…he is a vampire.” A creature that fed off others…except me.

“I’ve granted him a cottage in the village. It’s small, but it’s close to the castle.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m not sure how we’ll house everyone else who’s on their way.” She released a heavy sigh. “It’s much too cold to camp out on the barren soil.”

“Maybe families could combine in homes? Two families per home? That would free up half the houses.”

“Not a bad idea.”

“And the barracks have cots. It’s not comfortable, but at least it’s warm.”

“True.” She continued to look out the window. “All great ideas.”

“How are you, Grandmother?”

“Me?” She turned to look at me, a slight smile on her lips. “No one ever asks me that.”

“Not even my father?”

She shook her head. “He’s too busy barking orders and being grouchy.”

I chuckled. “He can be at times. But to be honest, he’s the grouchiest at dinner parties.”

“He’s always been sour company. His entire life has been about survival, so he’s never learned to enjoy peace. He’s so traumatized by his early hard life that he’s always waiting for it to return, like it’s right around the corner.”

I nodded in understanding, even though I didn’t understand at all. My father and mother worked hard so I would never have to.

“He and Ivory could have chosen their relationship over destiny,” she said. “Could have chosen a quiet life in HeartHolme, surrounded by Teeth and Necrosis, but they chose to take back the kingdom and give you and Atticus a life they were both denied.”

“Yeah.”

“And now they’re fighting for that again. Your father is dedicated to his people, carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, but I know his children are his true motivation. All he wants is for you to have blue skies full of clouds and dragons.”

“I know he does.”

We stared out the window again, in silence.

“I know Father is mad when he leaves.” He wasn’t the kind of man to run from a fight or give up. To remove himself from a situation meant his rage was inconsolable. “He’s really upset about Uncle Ian.”

“He’s worried about Uncle Ian.”

“Are you?” I asked, scared to hear the answer.

She gave another sigh, the world almost plunged into darkness now that the sun was gone from the horizon. “He’s my son. Of course I’m worried. But I also know that my sons are the blood of the crown, and that means they have to spill that blood to protect it. Power can’t be maintained without risk.” She pivoted toward me, no longer interested in the view. “So. Do you feel deeply for this man?”

I shrugged. “It’s complicated…”