Loren studied Xavier a moment before his eyes settled on Robbie standing timidly behind the boy. His brows rose. “Robbie? Why are you here? Where’s my daughter?” he asked suspiciously.
Robbie faltered. “Uh, she…”
Loren smiled dryly. “Let me guess. She told her mother and me that she was staying with you, and you probably told your mother you were staying with her so that the pair of you could sneak off into the woods to camp out with the boys.”
Robbie stared uneasily up at Loren but said nothing.
“That’s what I thought,” he groaned rubbing his face wearily. “Robbie, please tell my daughter to get herself home immediately. She and I will need to have a long talk about lying and being where she says she’ll be.”
“Yes, sir,” Robbie whispered.
“Son?” the king blared, looking back at him from a group of royal guards he was preparing for searches. “Home. Now!”
Xavier muttered curses under his breath as he started to turn toward Robbie.
“Xavier!” his father shouted angrily. Xavier’s eyes met the king’s. “I can hear what you’re saying!” he finished in a loaded undertone.
Father and son stared at one another in silence for several long seconds. Finally, the king, looking smug that his point was made, returned to his discussion with his guards. Seething, Xavier took Robbie by the arm.
“Come on, Robbie. I’ll teleport us back to the woods,” he muttered, his eyes still on his father. Then a brilliant plot to get even came to mind, and he grinned wickedly. He pulled Robbie into his arms, flicked a finger at his father, laughed, and teleported to the lake.
“Oh, my God! Did you do that?” Robbie blurted with a mix of horror and awe.
Xavier smiled innocently. “Do what?”
“What happened?” Court asked eagerly, but both Robbie and Xavier ignored him.
“You turned the king’s hair bright pink!” She couldn’t help it, and she began to giggle. “Oh, my God, Xavier. He’s going to kill you!”
“You did what?” Garrett hissed with a whistle.
“No way! You didn’t do that!” Beck challenged.
Xavier nodded. “Yeah, I did. He pissed me off yelling and ordering me around.”
“Robbie’s right, mate. You’re dead. It’s been nice knowing you,” Mac muttered with exaggerated despair, shaking his head.
“Naw. I’m the Chosen. He can’t kill me,” he answered with a wink. “But I’ve been ordered home, guys. You too, Erica. Loren knows how you worked him so that you could come here.”
Erica went pale.
Fifteen minutes later, as Xavier clambered up the royal staircase, he heard his father’s voice drifting heatedly from the residence.
“It’s not funny, Lana! The boy was out of line! He had no business being there, and this prank is the last straw!”
Xavier stumbled slightly and stopped at the top of the steps.
“Good morning, Prince Wells,” Henrick greeted stiffly, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
“Hi, Henrick,” Xavier moaned, glancing from Henrick back to the door. “Do you reckon I should wait until Lana cools him down before I go in?”
Henrick’s battle against his smile was lost, and he chuckled. “I don’t know, kid. That’s your call.”
With a huge sigh, Xavier opened the door and shuffled into the residence.
“Jeremiah, just calm down,” Lana said to a very agitated, pacing king.
The moment the residence door closed, his father turned and glared down at Xavier. It took every ounce of will power not to burst out laughing. The alteration to the king’s hair had been fantastically done. It wasn’t just pink! It was bright, fluorescent pink.
“Undo this now!” the king spat, stomping toward him.
Xavier straightened and refused to flinch. “No. Not until you apologize for going off on me in front of the entire royal guard!”
Jeremiah gaped at him. “Excuse me?”
“You screamed at me like I was just a kid, only a kid. I’m not! Haven’t you been drilling that into my head over the last seven months? I am the Chosen, Dad. Maybe you’re the one who needs to come to terms with that!”
Dumbfounded, his father stared silently down at him.
“Xavier,” Lana interrupted as she approached her two men with amusement. Could father and son be any more alike? They had no idea how much they resembled one another with the same stubborn attitudes, the unwavering moral compass, and compassionate, loving hearts. Even now as father and son stared at one another, each with his hands on his hips and determined eyes, they looked so much alike. “Turning your father’s hair pink wasn’t the act of the Chosen; it was an act of a boy—a child. If you want your father to treat you with the respect of a man, you’ll need to act more like it.”
What? Lana was taking his father’s side? He had thought for sure she would help him out on this one. “But, Lana,” Xavier protested, “he was yelling at me in front of everyone and ordering me home like a baby! I was embarrassed. I… I… just thought…”
“You just thought you’d get even with him?” she asked knowingly.
Xavier’s mouth clamped shut, and he blushed.
“Sweetheart, you are the Chosen, and you have a lot on your shoulders as a result, but you’re still a boy too. You haven’t had enough training to go toe to toe in battle against a man.”
“I did today,” Xavier whispered, remembering the dead soldier’s blank eyes with a shudder.
Jeremiah stiffened. “You killed a man today?”
Xavier nodded, unwanted tears swelling in his eyes. Why was he crying? The man had been a dark soldier, a follower of the Dark King. He would have killed Xavier if the young royal guard hadn’t warned him.
With a sigh, Jeremiah pulled him into his arms and held him close as the tears dropped heavily on his father’s shoulder. For several long seconds, his father soothed him without words. He continued to hold him and stroke his head and back.
Finally, he murmured into Xavier’s ear, “It’s a hard thing, taking a man’s life, son. I’d be worried about you if you weren’t affected by it. You care about people, good or bad, and that is what makes you different from Fox. That is why you will succeed. That,” he pulled Xavier arms-length and wiped the tears from his cheeks with his thumbs before finishing, “is why I am so proud to be your father.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Xavier smiled weakly up at his father.
Jeremiah kissed his forehead before looking back down at him with a crooked smirk. “Now, I have a favor to ask of you. Get rid of my pink hair before I bust your butt.”
Xavier’s smile burst into laughter. “Yeah. Okay. Sorry about that.”
“No, you’re not, but I’m going to let it slide this one time. If you do something like this again, your backside will be as pink as my hair. Got it?”
“Yes, sir.” Xavier saluted his father mockingly before returning his hair to its normal state.
Chapter 8
The next morning, Xavier clambered down the stairs dressed for Mass. He straightened his royalty sash as he entered the dining hall and found his father already seated at the table with Lana to his left.
“Morning,” Xavier announced as he took his place at the table. He shyly met Lana’s eyes and smiled. “Morning, Lana.”
“Good morning, Xavier. Did you sleep well?” she asked, smiling sweetly back.
Xavier nodded as he eagerly watched the kitchen servant enter the room with a cart of covered dishes. He lifted his napkin and placed it on his lap as the servant laid a plate in front of him and lifted its lid. Xavier’s stomach groaned at the sight of eggs benedict, sausages, and an oatmeal cup topped with brown sugar, nuts, and fruit.
“Son?” Jeremiah began clearing his throat. “I… we need to talk to you.”
His father’s nervous, stuttering voice nearly had Xavier forgetting the food in front of him. Something was up.
“What? Is there something wrong, Dad?” he asked, laying his
fork and knife back onto the table.
“No, nothing’s wrong. I…” he looked nervously at Lana before drawing a breath and continuing, “I want your blessing to marry Lana, son. I asked her last night. She said yes.”
Xavier’s eyes darted from his father to Lana and back again. “Really? You’re really getting married?”
The king nodded. “Yes, we are. How do you feel about that?”
The grin that split across the boy’s face was enormous. “I think it’s brilliant, Dad! I’ve always hoped you’d marry. So, yeah, I feel awesome about it! Congratulations!” he responded, jumping to his feet and nearly tackling his father, chair and all, to the floor in a bear hug. He went to Lana with more poise and tenderness, hugged her tightly, and kissed her cheek.
“Are you really happy about this, honey? It wouldn’t hurt my feelings. I’m not trying to take your mom’s place. I just hope we can continue to be friends.”
Xavier was surprised by the hurt he felt at her words that she wasn’t trying to take his mom’s place. He had hoped she would take her place—sort of. He wanted a mom. He wanted someone who’d hug him in front of his friends, clean dirt off his face with her napkin and spit, he wanted the unconditional love that only a mother could give. He swallowed and tried to mask his disappointment and guilt. “Sure. Of course we can continue to be friends, Lana.” He looked back to his father. “So? When are you going to marry?”
Jeremiah grinned at Lana and winked. “Well, I will announce the engagement after services today. I hope to have the ceremony in a couple of months.”
“Great!” Xavier exclaimed, grinning and hugging his father again.
“Come now, son. Let’s eat breakfast before it gets cold,” the king laughed, patting his son’s back.
Xavier followed his father and Lana into the church with a smirk. They were hand in hand, and it didn’t escape the group converging into the church that Lana wore an elaborate engagement ring on her left hand. Whispers chased after them even after they entered the nave and found their seats in the front pew.
“Hey, Xavier,” Robbie greeted rushing over to sit next to him. “Can I sit with you during the sermon?”
“Yeah, sure!” Xavier grinned and scooted over to make room for her.
“So? Did you get into trouble for changing your dad’s hair?” she asked, trying not to giggle but failing.
“Hey, I hear that giggle!” the king reprimanded, playfully elbowing Robbie and making her giggle more.
“Jeremiah! Leave the poor girl alone. She can’t help it if you look ridiculous with bright pink hair,” Lana laughed, swatting the king playfully.
As Robbie’s eyes fell on Lana’s engagement ring, her eyes widened. “Oh my gosh! You… you’re wearing a… a ring!” she blurted.
Jeremiah grinned down at Robbie and covered Lana’s hand with his. “That’s right. We’re making the announcement after services today.”
“Oh, wow! Oh, that’s great! Congratulations, sire!” Robbie gushed before looking at Xavier. “Are you okay with it, Xavier?”
Xavier grinned. “I’m more than okay. I’m ecstatic!”
“Oh, good. I think Lana will be good for your dad. Don’t you?”
“Oh, yeah. She’s just what he needs,” Xavier replied, giving his father an enormous grin. “So? What happened when your mom found out that you and Erica lied so that you could meet us at the lake?”
Robbie smiled sheepishly. “I’m grounded for a month.”
“A month? Just for sneaking out to go swimming at the lake? God, that sucks,” Xavier groaned indignantly.
Robbie shrugged. “Well, I think she was more upset because she didn’t know where I was when the invasion occurred. So was Loren. He yelled at both Erica and me. He’s kind of scary when he’s mad.”
“Yeah. I know. It stills sucks that you’re grounded. I was hoping we could go out after school tomorrow.”
“Sorry, Xavier.”
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. I’ll find something to do,” he told her when he saw her face fall with guilt. He gave her his most charming smile and winked. “It won’t be nearly as enjoyable as being with you, but I’ll cope.”
Robbie laughed and kissed him on the cheek.
Father Reinhart approached the pulpit, and the congregation grew silent. Xavier didn’t hear a word the priest uttered. Robbie kept stroking the palm of his hand, and it sent heated sensations through his body. It took all his willpower to keep the raging inferno in his body under control. Though it had been months since he unintentionally expelled a power, he wasn’t willing to take the risk, especially in a church with a large percentage of the kingdom present.
Ten minutes into the sermon, the king had had enough of his son’s thoughts projecting themselves into his mind. Clearing his throat, he whispered softly to Robbie, “Robbie, why don’t you sit next to Lana and get a good look at that ring? I need to sit next to Xavier.”
Nodding, Robbie released Xavier’s hand, and as inconspicuously as possible slid between the king and Lana.
Xavier regarded his father with questioning eyes. With a smirk, he cleared his throat and nodded to the pulpit where the priest was still addressing the congregation with a lesson on the pitfalls of vanity and pride. He followed his father’s eyes to the priest as his father’s voice pushed into his thoughts.
“You really need to work on controlling the feelings Robbie creates, son.”
Xavier blushed crimson as he ducked his head and studied the toe of his highly polished dress shoe. “Yeah. Sorry, Dad.”
When Father Reinhart finished his sermon, he gave the king a nod before announcing, “Before I dismiss you all to enjoy the rest of your Sunday, King Wells has an announcement he’d like to make. Sire?”
It was the first time Xavier ever remembered seeing his father nervous. The king stood slowly, wiping his sweating palms on his pant legs. He held out a hand to Lana, who took it with a reassuring smile. The couple approached the pulpit and turned to face the silently waiting crowd. As nervous as the king was, little of it showed as he stood tall and regally, preparing to address the people.
“Good morning, my faithful supporters. Today, I have wonderful news I wish to share with all of you.” He glanced down at Lana and smiled. “I had the honor to offer my hand in marriage to Lana Applegate.”
The entire church erupted in applause and cheers. The king’s grin grew, and Lana blushed. When the crowd quieted, Loren’s voice called out cheerfully, “So what did she say?”
The king laughed and held up Lana’s left hand. “She said, yes!”
The church exploded in cheers and applause again. Once the congregation settled again, Father Reinhart announced, “King Wells and Ms. Applegate will receive your well wishes and congratulations in the vestibule. Have a pleasant week.”
It took nearly a half an hour to get through the line of people offering their best wishes to the happy couple. The people left the church in high spirits and chattered happily about the upcoming wedding and what a wonderful queen Lana would make. She had attained a great amount of respect from the common citizens, and that was obvious.
“So you’re really okay with your dad marrying Lana?” Robbie asked him as she slipped her hand in his.
Xavier dragged his eyes from his father and Lana to Robbie and grinned. “Yeah, I really am. I like Lana. No, I love Lana. She’s really nice and sweet, and she’s good for Dad.” Xavier laughed. “He can’t get away with anything with her around. It’s funny to see someone boss my dad around—someone who’s not afraid to boss him around.”
Robbie snickered. “Yeah. I bet that’s an entertaining sight.”
“Oh, it is!” he blurted happily.
“Xavier?” his father called from the entrance to the church. Most the crowd had gone home and all who remained included Father Reinhart, Robbie’s mom and sister, Loren, Ephraim, and their families. “Come here, please.”
“Come on,” Xavier said as he gently pulled Robbie across the lawn
to where the others stood.
“What do you think about having a picnic at the coliseum and playing some rugby?” his father asked.
“That would be great! Can I invite Garrett, Beck, and the rest of the guys?”
“I don’t see why not,” his father responded before turning back to Father Reinhart. “Lana and I will be in to see you about arranging the wedding details early this week,” Jeremiah told the priest.
“I look forward to it, your highness,” Reinhart responded.
“Is Erica allowed to come?” Court asked Loren.
The general eyed Court, causing the boy to visibly gulp. Before speaking, Loren folded his arms across his massive chest. “She’s grounded, Courtney.”
“Yes, sir,” Court agreed meekly before continuing quickly. “But she has to eat, doesn’t she? And… and you’ll be there so you can make sure…” Court faltered.
“I’ll tell you what, Courtney. I’ll make you a deal. She can come to the picnic if you and I come to an understanding. The next time she does something stupid or impulsive, you talk her out of it!”
“Uh… I… I’ll try, sir, but you know Erica. There’s not much that can stop her when she has her mind made up.”
Loren stepped up to Court and glared down at him. “Well, in a case such as that, you call me!”
Court hesitated. Loren was asking him to betray his girlfriend. How could he do that? If Erica found out about this deal, she would kill him. He tried another tactic.
“Sir, you can trust me to look out for Erica. I’d never let anything happen to her.”
The general nodded. “You better had, boy, but that’s not the deal I’m making. I want you to call me if she refuses to listen to reason.”
“Ah… w… with all due respect, sir, Erica would be sorely pissed if I did that. I want to help you out, but I can’t betray her like that. I… I’m sorry, sir,” Court responded timidly.
Loren stared down at Court in silence for a long moment before Lucy shoved her husband irritably. “Loren Douglas Jefferson! Leave the boy alone. It is not his fault your daughter is mischievous and stubborn. The girl takes after her father!” she spat before turning and looking kindly down at Court. “Courtney, Erica will be at the picnic. She will join us all in celebrating the king’s engagement.” Then after a dirty look at her husband, Lucy pulled him away from the children.
The Prince of Warwood and The War of Kings Page 8
