Burned to Ashes

Chapter Fifteen

           

Lyle picked up a knife and began to cut into the pork on his plate. His movements were sluggish, his hands working slowly. I look up from my plate every so often to watch my brother in fascination, his black eyes never meeting mine. Kalea sat beside me, determined to be as far away from the crown prince as possible. She has hardly touched her plate apparently not caring that a bad breakfast sets for a horrible day. None of us have said a word to each other since arriving early this morning. The dining quarters were seemingly empty, no guards flanking the walls, my parents and my fiancée nowhere to be seen. I sipped my drink cautiously suddenly fearful of anything that is served to me. The night of the wedding still plays through my mind frequently, often keeping me at night. What if I had drunk the champagne? Surely my father would not have had time to reach me as well as Lyle. Nor would he want to. Doing what he should have done the day you were born, Emery had said. I suppose she is right. Such thoughts were a waste of time at moments like these. I should just be happy that I am alive.

          Lyle raised his goblet to his full lips, taking several large gulps of the milky liquid inside. He finally notices my nervous gaze his eyes snapping to mine. "What brother? You cannot expect me to be afraid forever, can you?"

            I squint unnerved by the casualness to his voice but Kalea doesn't react preferring to stare down at her full plate.

          Lyle sighs through his nose. "Two men get poisoned and suddenly it is all anyone talks about." He scoffs as if he can't believe it. "Doesn't anyone have anything better to do?"

          "You almost died." My voice was emotionless.

          "Yes, and how heroic you all were in my recovery." He says, his voice licked in sarcasm. "Now can you get over it?"

          I couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

          "Have I said something funny?" His black eyes searched my face threateningly.

          "No, no." I say forcing back a smile. "Funny isn't within the confines of your personality."

          Lyle licks his teeth. "I did not know you were witty."

          "How could you? You hardly speak to me anymore." I think back to the last time I saw him, at the luncheon with Prince Shaias.

          "Maybe if you were not so inconceivably annoying things would be different." He smirked defiantly.

          I laugh again. "I have just assumed all of that time spent alone is getting to your head." I notice that my brothers' hair is longer then he usually keeps it, brown stands grazing at his temples. He flicks them away with the frustration of a child, shoving pork into his mouth disregarding manners. 

          He ignores my jab, turning his attention on Kalea. "Why so quiet today my dear betrothed? You had so much to say to me in the courtyard, why mouse out now?" The princess looked up at Lyle with hard gray eyes as he spoke in between mouthfuls if food. "Do not let Avi scare you off."

          I wince. The childhood nickname seems so sinister coming from his mouth.

          Kalea simply tightens her jaw apparently not willing to entice my brothers' words. Her eyes were well rested and her skin was as radiant as ever, yet she seemed so tired.

          Lyles black eyes shifted down to her plate, the slice of pork laying untouched on its surface. "Why haven't you eaten?" He asks almost angerly. "Eat. No wonder you are so damn skinny."