Bloom: The Kingdom of Archer Series: Book I

by J Rose

  “Father.” Spencer begins and I can tell he’s struggling with this but the hand of support he lends to my father says he too agrees with him.

  Oliver who has quietly retreated behind us tries his best to remain invisible. Once again, he is simply becoming his position and ignoring his own will to fight. His arms are at his side as he looks down and bows politely to give privacy. His posture appears relaxed yet his hands are made into fists. If there is anyone who can understand the impotence and rage I feel at the moment I know it is Oliver. Oliver who lost his own father for so called 'peace'.

  “People are already questioning us. Questioning your rule. How much longer will you pretend to be okay with this way of rule that can only prolong the inevitable?”

  “Things have calmed Parker. It’s been a month since Cray attacked us at sea.” Spencer chimes in.

  “That says nothing about the future.”

  “We’re living in fear and dragging our people into it.”

  “Then is it not your mate that dragged this war to us.” Father’s words bring me to silence. Spencer who is beside him has frozen and surprise is on his face.

  “She is the one that has garnered attention from Maxwell Cray.”

  “Then would you want me to give up my mate? Would you have chosen to give her no option but to become a sacrificial offering to Cray for just a few more moments of fake peace?” My voice has risen in anger while my father remains calm.

  “That isn’t peace. It’s settling to live in fear and to have our people do the same. Lives have already been lost in our kingdom because of the Cray’s and you refuse to acknowledge this.” Father’s eyes land on Oliver who still remains quiet though his knuckles have turned white.

  “Parker,” Spencer speaks up.

  “Things won’t be fixed so easily.”

  “Would you be saying the same if it had been Crystal?”

  “Or if father was the one lost to a Cray attack?”

  “That’s enough Parker until you are king you fall under my own rule do you understand. All you’ve shown me today is the fact that you are not ready to be king.”

  “Father,” Spencer speaks.

  “Is that all?” I question feeling hurt at his words. The anger which was building inside me temporarily floating away to a pressure in my chest.

  Again, there is no anger in his words but that does not mean he is not feeling it. Without much more I walk out of the study with Oliver who is following behind.

  “They plan to go forth with your brother’s wedding,” Oliver speaks, once both of us are out of the study and heading towards the empty courtyard.

  “You should not be so rash and judge your father. He is a good king.”

  “I’ve never doubted that.”

  “Haven’t you?” Oliver questions.

  “I wasn’t questioning his rule just..”

  “He knows what he’s doing you shouldn’t be so harsh on him.”

  “Can you really say that?” I ask a silent meaning in this question which I regret asking immediately.

  “I apologize.” Oliver shakes his head and offers a smile his posture relaxes and he’s back to being a friend, not an officer.

  “My father believed in him. He gave his life for that trust knowing one day he could leave mother and I. I wish to do the same for your father and his family.” His words are serene. Washing over with the night that has no doubt come down upon the earth.

  “Ms. Lyric will be wondering where you are.”

  “She’s kept up with her defense classes and we are moving to offense tactics.”

  “You should not worry too much about her. She is strong and held on as best she could until we were able to save her.”

  “Thank you for that. I know you care about her too.” My words were meant as a statement and I held no hostility for Oliver. I’d come to terms with the fact that he too cared for and loved Lyric.

  “I would never overstep,” Oliver speaks.

  “I know.”

  “I ask you not to say anything to the Princess. I only wish to protect her. She reminds me of someone whom I love dearly that is all.” Oliver responds. I can feel the sincerity in his voice as he speaks and I find myself nodding.

  “You would be better for her than I.”

  “I have my own mate,” Oliver responds and I find myself nodding beside him in agreement. And yet… the question remained. Who was she?

  “Your father will forgive you for this sire. Your heart is in the right place.” Oliver speaks returning to the previous subject. The tone of his voice reverting once again to that of a Nova officer.

  “Would things really go back to how they were?” I wondered. Yet, I could only picture a calm before a storm. I have no doubt things were heading downwards again. I realized that people were blind to what was ahead and when these blind people would scream, their deaf king would only watch. This was Archer. Silent.

  END