Storm's Rapture | Storms Series: Book 1 (This is a Co-Write)

Chapter 98: Cyris

AN: No Piarari Key needed this time. Be sure to drop some comments as you read. Enjoy!

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I felt like such a baby. It was only a day over a week, and my heart already ached for Rosanna. The first few days were great, I didn't have time to miss her, but then at night, when I had to lay in an empty bed... that's when it got difficult for me. Tonight was one of those difficult nights as I found myself wandering the halls of the Riofaltan palace, gazing longingly at photos of Rosanna on my phone. My soul yearned to be close to hers, but I knew that there were still some things I needed to do here to help Kian rebuild.

On top of the fact that I craved my wife's presence, I received a text message from Sidra earlier today. Apparently, Rosanna has been having a hard time sleeping... and I couldn't blame her. I understood too well the loneliness she was feeling. As I roamed the palace hallways, I happened to pass by Kian's study. I could see that the light was on as it shone through the cracked door. I knocked on the door and went inside before anyone answered. I found Kian sitting at his desk, The King of Riofalt looked exhausted...

"Kian...it's late, I'm surprised you're still awake. Is everything alright?" I asked, concerned for him. It was really late.

"Brother... Hello to you too," Kian chuckled. "Yeah things are fine, just finishing up the last of this paperwork."

I chuckled, thinking of Rosanna and how she always seemed to want to do more. She and her brother were a lot alike. "You and your sister have the same habits it seems..." I noted. "Come take a break. Have a drink with me."

"Fine. Just one drink, Cyris," Kian smirked.

I walked over to the table near the fire and picked up the bottle of whiskey that was sitting there. I poured it into two glasses and handed one to Kian before raising my own.

"To your throne and future, brother," I toasted.

We drank and I turned to Kian. I spun my glass in my hands, hesitant about telling Kian about my feelings. But I decided my emotions were keeping me up at night, so I might as well get them off my chest.

"Kian...I'm worried..." I admitted as the two of us sat down in a couple of armchairs near the fire.

"About what?" Kian inquired.

"About Rose... Sidra texted me earlier today...she hasn't been sleeping well." I took a sip of whiskey. Rosanna's health concerned me...even more so now that she was carrying our little warrior.

"Did she mention why?"

"The Council Lords have been pushing her to her limits," I sighed as I sipped my whiskey. "She's been working too hard and it doesn't help that the baby has been keeping her up at night. Espor hasn't had a Queen this involved before." I knew why she'd been working so hard. Sidra had mentioned in her text that Rosanna missed me, so she was probably trying to distract herself, but that didn't make me worry any less.

"My little sister was always a firecracker. The little memory I have of her as a baby showed her attitude well. I know you're worried, but my sister won't back down. She has our mother's spirit," Kian took a big sip of whiskey.

"I worry about her well-being, Kian. She's pregnant. She needs to sleep. The Council can't keep doing this to her. Honestly if I had my way, I'd tear into them the second I return." I was furious at the Council. They were treating Rosanna like she was incapable of being a good Queen. I hated it.

"Good thing you do have your way. Cyris, you are the King. Put your Council in their place, and my sister will be fine. Besides, you're leaving in a few days..."

"I would, but I risk Rose's reputation if I do... I can only go so far," I admitted. "She's worried that she'll look like a harlot that bewitched me if I start threatening to replace members of the Council that disagree with her. I want her to feel at home in Espor...but so far she feels like a Queen in an unfamiliar castle." I took another sip of whiskey.

Kian drank the rest of his whiskey, then leaned back in his chair and crossed his leg over the other.

"You know our royal lineage is a patriarch," he sighed deeply. "These old fools will need years before they'll accept what you, and my sister, are trying to accomplish." Kian poured himself another glass. "You can't let them get under your skin... If you aren't going to fire them, then be patient and let them adjust. In terms of Rose being at home, you are her home now, Cyris. She will feel at home as long as you are by her side."

"Thank you Kian," I told him as I finished my drink and poured myself another.

We were silent for a moment and then I spoke again.

"I suppose I should congratulate you. Riofalt is now officially free of any traces of the Trillium Regime," I stated as I sipped my drink.

"Yes, well, I couldn't have done it with you, Ren, and Orion. And your men," Kian smiled.

"We were happy to help. I still can't believe they came to Riofalt because they thought no one would oppose them here." We'd discovered that the Trillium soldiers that had escaped Espor and Brales had run to Riofalt because they assumed that there would be no one there to stop them as Riofalt wasn't governed by a monarchy at the time. Obviously they'd been wrong and were currently paying for it in Riofalt's prison.

"Logically, it made sense. I mean, I would have tried the same thing if I were them. As you know, they almost succeeded..." Kian took a gulp from his glass, leaving it halfway full.

"Yes, but the important thing is that they didn't. And the good news is that the situation has been dealt with," I replied. "Which gives you time to focus on other things like rebuilding Riofalt and starting a family. Have you and Arissa thought about starting a family?"

Kian's expression changed, and he tensed. I could tell my question had bothered him in some way. He finished what was left of his whiskey silently, and I felt bad for even asking.

"I get it, it's a sore subject...my apologies..." I told him. I finished what was left of my glass and put it down on the coffee table.

"Don't apologize, you couldn't have known... Arissa is...infertile," Kian admitted.

"Oh...Kian, I'm so sorry...for the both of you."

"Nope!" he said in a slightly slurred voice. "No pity, Cyris! We are content with each other for now."

I nodded and started feeling the buzz of the alcohol. My eyelids were heavy and all I could think about was laying down.

"Cyris, I think it's time for this guy to go to sleep," Kian stood up.

I nodded and stood up too, wishing Kian goodnight as the two of us left the study. Kian wished me goodnight and we went our separate ways. I headed to my room, thinking I'd finally be able to get some sleep. 

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AN: Be sure to drop some comments and vote!