EMBER POV
"Are you okay?" he asked, looking worried.
"Uhmm,"....I nodded.
"Anything else?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. He seemed tired of the whole thing.
"It's done," I whispered.
"Let's go," he grabbed my arm gently, and pulled me toward the door. He didn't say a word to the isadora or the guards waiting outside. He just marched me straight back toward the royal wing.
Evander pov
The moment we cleared the infirmary doors, I felt relieved being around Cassian was intoxicating. However, I kept a firm grip on Ember's arm, leading her toward my wing. I could feel her trembling through the link, her energy drained from fixing that piece of trash on the bed.
"Our King Alpha! Back so soon?"
I stopped. Standing by a marble pillar was a man who looked like he'd just crawled out of a war zone. His armor was caked in dried mud, his hair was a bird's nest, and he had a grin that could light up a graveyard.
"Kaelen." I muttered.
My cousin, he didn't bow. He didn't look at my boots like he was waiting for me to step on him. He just stood there with his arms crossed. He'd been away for six months leading the scouts in the North, and honestly, he was the only person in this entire bloodline who didn't make me want to go on a rampage.
"Kaelen," I said, and for the first time in weeks, the tension in my shoulders dropped an inch. "I thought the mountain trolls would've eaten you by now."
"They tried," Kaelen laughed, stepping forward and giving my shoulder a solid, bone-rattling shove. "But I told them I had a grumpy cousin back home who'd be too lonely without me.
"You asshole!!… I gave him a slight punch, and we both laughed.
Then we hugged.
Who's the girl, Your Majesty? She looks like she's seen a ghost." he asked looking at ember, who looked lost.
Ember looked up at him, her eyes wide and confused.
"She's ember, my anchor." I replied, holding her arm.
"Anchor, he gave a little laugh. "Seems you two are very close," he added, staring at my hand locked into embers.
"Don't go there, I know what you're thinking." I gave him a warning glare.
"She is beautiful, nice choice." He laughed, then winked at ember. "Hi beautiful, am Kaelen," he stretched his hand for a handshake.
She bowed her head slightly. "Greetings, Your Highness."
Prince Kaelen let out a soft laugh. "No, no… don't call me that."
He waved, his hand down gently. "Just say Prince Kaelen. Or Alpha Kaelen, if you prefer."
She blinked, unsure. "Are you… certain?"
"Absolutely," he said with an easy smile. "Titles make everything too stiff. Let's keep it simple."
"Thank you prince Kaelen." She nodded happily.
"So can I have my handshake now, " he looked at her with a smile. Then added, "my brother anchor."
"Sure." They both shaked each other.