THE BLOOD ROYALS Book 2: Long Live The Queen!

Chapter Nine: Open To Something More

Saine Neane
Xanth's POV
"I hate this weather." Carl complained. "Lokefar was great."
I noted the nostalgic expression on on his face. I think he had a whole life in Lokefar that dad and I didn't know about. "Are you used to this? Don't you miss Ebrium?"

Our favorite pass time is making wood carvings. We learned it from our father and on those rare moments he was home, we would sit together and talk about random things as we carved things. Dad liked to carve birds. He said they portray freedom. I'm carving one today.

"I don't miss Ebrium. I miss the base."

"I miss the skies." He sighed deeply. He was a pilot in the Phoenix Streak, an elite section of  fighter jet pilots under General Bowie. I don't like heights and I would die before I'm that high up flying at lighting speed. "It's dull to be down here. I feel insignificant."

"You'll get used to it."

"What happened with dad? Like what really happened?"

"He's been accused of treason."

"Xanth, just be straight with me. What did he do exactly?"

"How am I supposed to know?" I looked at him.

"Because you spent a lot of time with him."

"No I didn't. Dad spent his days at the base. I was always in Ebrium."

We kept to our carving. He's carving a jet. Typical. "I was well above 40,000 ft when I was told I have to land the jet. I get to the landing strip and Bowie was waiting. He said I'm out. He didn't explain anything. I had to pack up and leave the base. It was sudden."

It was sudden for me too but because I was around dad at the time, he gave me a heads-up. He told me that he will be named an enemy of the crown and I should brace myself. At that time Taof was also in the wind for the same charges of treason. It's Reli who dismissed me.

Now we are stuck here with nothing to do all day. Our neighbors look at us like traitors. Dad dishonored our family and I can't wait to get my hands on him. No one knows where he is. But something tells me dad didn't go far. He's around. It's just a question of where.

"You'll get used to it."

"Is this what you look like when you're not pouring buckets of cold water on unsuspecting women?" I looked up suddenly. My eyes met the playful curious pretty eyes staring back at me. I swallowed with a little difficulty.

"Who is that?" Carl can't contain hid excitement for the tall dainty beauty approaching us.

Renée piqued my interest as soon as I laid my eyes on her. It was after Reli brought her back to Chea Niva. It was in Daa Haan late in the evening when he got off a boat with someone over his shoulder. He set her down and as soon as I saw her, my heart skipped a beat rather sharply.

"Remember be me?" She tilted her head adorably. How can I not remember her when she has my heart racing shamelessly.

"What the hell?" I eventually found my voice and I hope my thought process catches up. "Where... How did you find me?"

"Digital footprints. Don't mind if I do." She squeezed right between us. She looked at my brother.  "Hi. I'm Renée."

"Hi Renée. I'm Carl. This rude guy is Xanth."

"So... What are you guys doing?"

I grabbed her and dragged her down the front steps of the house. I out distance between us and my brother. "What is wrong with you? Wasn't I clear that you should stay home and not come back to Chea Niva? Are you hard of hearing?"