The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 20 A Night of Surprises

"Hey, little sis."
He said with a broad smile, setting the tray of pastries down on a nearby decorative table.

Headless of my dress, I launched myself into his arms, not realizing until that exact moment just how much I truly missed my big brother. I let out a sob, squeezing him tight. Solomon gently pried me off of him, chuckling.

"No tears, you'll ruin that lovely makeup someone clearly worked so hard on."

"Oh screw my makeup, my big brother is here!"
I exclaimed.

I gazed at him for a long minute, hardly believing he was real.

"How are you here?"
I finally asked.

"It's rather a long story actually."

"I want to hear every detail."
I assured him.

"Eh hem."
Jasmine cleared her throat.

I could have cared less about social decorum but I knew Solomon would.

"Jasmine, this is my brother Solomon Coften. Solomon, this is Jasmine Hayes, sister to my ally, Jasper."

Solomon shook her hand politely.

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss."

Jasmine smiled sweetly at him.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Coften."

Oh please.

She was lucky I didn't forcibly knock her across the room for looking at my brother like that.

"Am I interrupting anything?"
Ranen's voice echoed from behind me.

"No, of course not your highness."
Solomon said, just as I answered:

"Yes, actually."

Ranen seemed amused while Solomon gave me an incredulous look.

"Well Astrid, are you going to introduce me to your companions or do I have to play twenty questions to find out their names?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Ranen, this is Jasmine Hayes, Jasper's sister."

Ranen gave a polite bow.

"Pleasure to meet you. Your brother has caused quite a stir."

"I'm very proud of him, I always knew he was destined for great things."
A genuine pride shone in her eyes when she spoke of Jasper and whatever she thought of me, I knew she truly loved her brother.

"And this is Solomon Coften, my brother."

Ranen extended his hand and my brother gave it firm shake despite looking slightly stunned.

"I was unaware Astrid had any family in the capital, I assumed you all lived in the Servinius Province."

"Job transfer."
Solomon explained cryptically.