“Good evening, Your Majesty.”
The familiar voice tore Carissa away from Michael’s conversation with some random dignitary there to wish her the best in her new role. Twisting around, her eyes welled with tears at the sight of her adopted brother. “Patrick,” she mouthed soundlessly. He made it. She bit her lip, unable to share the joy she was feeling at his presence. Over the last two days, the emotions of her brother’s funeral and her coronation had burned through most of her magic, leaving her unable to hold the spell that allowed her to use someone else’s voice for more than a few minutes.
Forgetting the conversation she’d been listening to, she went to her only living relative and threw her arms around his neck. To hell with anyone who thought her outburst was undignified. Kyle’s death hung heavy on her heart and seeing Patrick gave her hope. She wasn’t alone in her loss. Patrick had lost the closest thing to a brother he had ever known.
“It’s good to see you, Carissa,” he said, rolling her into a deep hug. “My condolences on your loss and congratulations on your ascension, your highness.”
Carissa stepped out of Patrick’s hold. She gripped his arm hard and shook her head, refusing her new title. He was family and she wouldn’t accept his recognition. Kyle had insisted they remain on familiar terms, and she would have nothing else. Had Patrick truly been blood, she would have gladly given him the throne in her stead. She implored him with her eyes to understand her meaning.
Patrick lowered his head and smiled. “Of course, my sister.”
Carissa released the tight hold she had on his arm and let out a relieved sigh. He understood. She met his eyes and wished she didn’t have to borrow someone else’s voice. There was so much she had to tell him, but that would have to wait until she had rested.
“Hello.”
Carissa turned to greet Michael as he came up to stand next to her. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight. With her free hand, she touched her chest and waved at Patrick before gesturing back to Michael.
Michael nodded his understanding and turned to face Patrick. “Hello,” he said, holding out his free hand. “I’m Michael Duncan, Carissa’s husband and mate.”
Biting her lip, Carissa watched as Patrick’s eyes jumped to the gold in Michael’s white hair. Although they had invited Patrick and Kathryn to their wedding, her adopted brother hadn’t been able to make it. This was the first time the pair had met. Would Patrick approve of Michael?
“I guess that would make you the crowned prince,” Patrick said, taking the taller man’s hand. “Congratulation, I’m Patrick Markel.”
Carissa glanced at Michael and smiled when Patrick’s name sunk in, making Michael freeze.
“Markel?” he said in a curious voice. He raised an eyebrow and gave Carissa a questioning look.
Her smile widened and she nodded. She watched the wheels behind Michael’s eyes turn. They weren’t telepathically connected like some bonded pairs, but their unique situation had given them an understanding of each other. Markel wasn’t a very common name. She could see him making the connection. “My brother,” she mouthed.
Michael’s head snapped back to meet Patrick’s smiling face.
“Adopted brother,” Patrick corrected.
Michael squeezed Patrick’s hand a little tighter before releasing it. “I didn’t know Carissa had any other family.” He stepped closer to Carissa and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders.
Usually, Michael let her stand on her own due to her position, but it was charming when his protective side flared. Carissa leaned into his side and waited to see how things would play out.
Understanding flashed in Patrick’s eyes and he nodded his head. “It’s sad that I missed your nuptials, but my wife had taken ill and wasn’t able to make the trip. I do hope you enjoyed the gift we sent in our stead.” He turned a questioning gaze to Carissa. “You did receive it, yes?”
Michael’s fingers tightened on her arm. Carissa rubbed her hand over his to soothe him. She nodded to Patrick. She’d been shocked when Kyle had delivered the antique baby cradle Patrick had sent. She wasn’t sure how old the thing was, but the dragons carved in the polished wood spoke of ages past. The beautiful craftsmanship had weathered the test of time very well.
“Good,” Patrick said, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “I do hope to hear you’ve put it to good use very soon.”
Michael shot her a questioning look.
She shook her head and motioned for him to leave the subject alone for now. She hadn’t shown him the cradle and wasn’t ready to talk about a family at the moment. But, then again, she was now the last of her line and the throne would need an heir. She drew in a melancholy breath and let it out. She didn’t want to start planning a family so close to the death of her brother. Changing the subject, she looked back to Patrick. “Where’s Kathryn?” she mouthed.
“She couldn’t make it,” he said in a regretful tone. “There’s so much going on right now that she didn’t feel comfortable coming out, but she sends her best regards and insists that I invite you out for a visit when things have settled down.”
Carissa let her head cock to the side to show her amusement. Although Kathryn was technically part of the royal family, she enjoyed the quiet of her simple life and tended to avoid high profile functions. Carissa understood and wished she had that luxury at times. Still, she was disappointed that Kathryn chose to skip out on Kyle’s funeral. No matter how little time they actually spent together, they were still family. She should be here to support Carissa. Taking a steadying breath, Carissa let go of the pain of her disappointment and nodded her head in agreement. It had been several years since she and Kyle had been out to visit. A trip to Dunham was sadly overdue. Without Kyle. The thought made Carissa’s breath catch, and she swallowed back the pain before her eyes could tear up again.
“Promise me.”
The serious tone of Patrick’s voice grabbed Carissa’s attention away from her grief and she met his gaze. There was something intense in his eyes that she didn’t understand, but it disturbed her. She caught his hand and nodded her head again.
“As soon as things are settled here,” he said squeezing her hand. His voice dropped to a whisper. “Alone. No guards, no escorts,” his eyes jumped to Michael and back. “Just family.”
Carissa bent her head to the side and let her brow furrow in question, but Patrick didn’t explain. He just held her hand tightly. After a moment she pointed at Michael with her eyes and looked back at her adopted brother.
Patrick’s lips thinned, but he nodded.
“I promise,” Carissa mouthed. Something in Patrick’s tone added weight to his request.
“You and him,” Patrick reaffirmed. He shot Michael a pointed look. “As soon as things are settled.” His eyes came back to Carissa, and he squeezed her hand to emphasize his words. “And tell no one.”
Carissa’s spine straightened and she nodded again. Something was up.
Patrick leaned closer and dropped his voice even lower. “Swear on our brother’s empty grave.”
Carissa jerked back as if he slapped her. How could he say such a thing? She stared at her stepbrother but could see no remorse in his eyes. Carissa knew she was good a reading people’s emotions, but nothing about Patrick showed grief, just the intense drive to get her solemn oath. What the hell was going on? “I swear it,” she mouthed.
Standing up, Patrick shot her a pleased smile. “Very good.”
The sudden change in Patrick’s demeanor shocked Carissa. She blinked, unable to believe what just happened.
“Then if you’ll excuse me,” he said, bowing over her hand, “I’ll take my leave now.” He stood up and released her as if nothing had happened. “You have others awaiting your attention. Have a pleasant night, your highness.” He nodded his farewell to Michael and retreated before Carissa could react.
When Patrick’s words and actions finally broke through her shock, she took a step forward to call him back and explain himself but stopped. She glanced around at the elegant crowd awaiting her attention. She was being watched. This was not the time or place for that conversation. She let out a breath and watched as Patrick made his way through the crowd towards the door.
“What was that?” Michael asked. His hand ran down Carissa’s back in a comforting way.
Carissa shook her head and let Michael’s presence soothe her. She had no idea what had gotten into Patrick, but his actions had shaken her out of her grief. Something was up, but she didn’t have time to deal with it now. She turned her attention back to the gathering and looked around. This was supposed to be a solemn occasion, but she just couldn’t shake Patrick’s words. “Swear by our brother’s empty grave.” How could he take Kyle’s death so lightly? No matter how she tried, she couldn’t figure it out. There was only one thing she could do. Once the coronation was over and Eternity was put in order, she would be making a trip out to see Patrick. And, one way or another, he would explain himself.