52

Massa rolled his eyes but got to his feet.
“Beloved brothers of mine this is…”
“Wait!” This voice was squeaky and my eyes widened when a small boy probably in his teen years ran inside the room.
“Shouldn’t we be complete before any introductions? Ruarc, Nasia, Cocci, Izal, and Thane aren’t here and so are the other members of the council.”
“Kayne is right.”
“Then call them here,” Thjis said. “I am yet to have dinner thanks to you guys. And don’t bother with the council. They won’t be joining us for dinner.”
“Then why are Lord Farouk and Lady Thelia here?”, Kayne asked, and I’m guessing the guests are Lord Farouk and Lady Thelia.
“We were just leaving,” Lord Farouk said. His voice is slippery as they both rose to their feet.
They bowed low to Thjis before exiting the dining room.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” someone said running into the room. I know it is Izal because of his medical scent and a missing arm. He wore glasses, had messy hair, and had black eyes.
“I had to clean up Thane.”
“I’m guessing he had another duel with Cocci and lost?”, another one asked.
“Mind your mouth, Eleanor. I might just beat you up,” a tall man with blonde hair walked in. He has a cast on and I’m guessing he’s Thane.
“Do that after you’ve healed Thane. Don’t want you adding to Izal’s stress,” Cocci said as he walked in. Unlike his brothers who all have on a fur cloak and leather pants, Cocci donned a simple white shirt and beach shorts. Someone has been around Ruarc lately.
“Oh, hey Stormie,” he said flashing me a smile. I returned it.
Thane did a double take. “You know the wolf?”
“Of course. So does Nasia and Ruarc. A very interesting girl this one.”
“There’s nothing interesting in a wolf,” Thane barked. “Honestly, I still don’t understand why she is still breathing!”
“You’re not father, Thane. And you certainly don’t have a say in Massa’s affairs.”
Ruarc. If I hadn’t known him before on a certain level, I wouldn’t have been able to recognize him now. His feet were encased in crystallized boots, bangles made up of crystals adorned his wrist, and a pendant hung from his neck. He had a white fur cloak on his shoulders, but what truly changed him was the silver crown on his head. If he wasn’t royalty before, he is now,.
Thane scowled at his brother. “You are truly something brother. You don’t wear your crown to meetings but the minute you hear there’s a wolf in the palace, boom you come in your full glory. Sure, you’re not trying to impress her or something?” Ruarc tore his gaze from me and glowered at Thane. “Watch your tongue. It’s of great importance to be dressed royally at all times. I do not know if you’re aware, but we would be receiving visitors from other kingdoms and I need to show them that we are royally serious”
“But…”
“That’s enough Thane,” Thjis growled. “Ruarc. where’s your brother?”
“I don’t know. Maybe…”
“I’m here.”
Sia’s cool voice cut through the tension in the room. He was sporting blue jeans and a white tee. His wrists are bare save for a simple bracelet. He wore white sneakers.
“Why are you late?”, one of them asked.
“Ask your questions later Elvis. Now that we are complete, introduce the wolf to us Massa,” Kayne said.
“What’s the point? We’re still going to kill her anyways,” Eleanor said.
Ruarc glared but Massa spoke up. “Nobody’s killing anyone. Guys meet Stormie, my latest whore.”
Elvis laughed. “What’s so funny?”
“This… this billboard is your whore Her curves are so small.”
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business since I would be the one touching them!” Massa barked. “As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, you all should meet Stormie.”
“Hi Stormie,” they all mumbled, except Sia. Either he doesn’t know the word hi, or he thinks it’s unnecessary.
He then pointed at Ruarc. “This guy over here is my eldest brother and our Crown Prince.” He jabbed a finger at Eleanor and Elvis. “These two are the royal twins. Brats these two. The guy with one arm is Izal, our royal physician. You’ve already met Cocci and Nasia. Shortie over there is my immediate elder brother, Kayne. The lad never sleeps. The nigga with red hair over there is Eoff. Wouldn’t trust him with my life. The bloke with crazy blue hair is Dolan. His type is anything that’s naked. Dude with blonde hair is Thane. He’s never happy. Lastly, meet Elijah. He’s the musician amongst us. But don’t be fooled. His music is terror.”
Elijah smiled.
“Oh, so you can’t say hi? What kind of woman did you bring into our home Massa? She can’t even show some respect,” Dolan snarled.
“Easy there,” Izal said. “We can’t all be tensing up because of a wolf.”
Dolan calmed, and Eoff spoke up. “You didn’t introduce her to father.”
“Oh, no need son. Already met the lass.”
Sia and Ruarc straightened. Massa asked the questions that lingered in their eyes. “You’ve met Stormie? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What’s the fun in that? She’s interesting.”
“But she still has to die,” Eleanor butts in. What’s with all this yapping about death? I just got here and they’re already planning my funeral. “She’s a wolf and she deserve to die for stepping foot in our lands.
“I concur,” Elvis says. Of course, you would. Of course, you would. “And I’m certain the elders would agree with us on this.”
“You forget I’m an elder to Elvis,” Thjis said as Ruarc took his seat by his father’s right, Sia sitting opposite his brother. “And I think she should stay. It’s been a while since we’ve had a wolf here.”
“You’re making a big mistake father,” Thane hissed.
Thjis rose a brow. “Are you challenging me son?”
“No, I’m just saying that it isn’t a wise idea to have her kind on our lands. When did we Icelanders start going back on our word?”
“Since her,” Sia said, his white eyes meeting mine. “Although it’s refreshing to see my brothers insult one another over a wolf, I’m starving and I would like to eat dinner.”
“I second that,” Cocci said sliding into the seat beside Sia.
“Yes. Let’s eat.”
They all take their seats and I’m left standing. Massa gestures for me to come and I do, stifling a yelp when he pulls me down to sit on his lap.
“Now that we are all seated, someone should say the grace,” Eoff said.
“Isn’t mother joining us for dinner?”, Elijah asked.
“You ask that question every single time and you’re going to keep getting the same answer. No.” Ruarc said. “Now someone should say the grace. We don’t want the priest to be offended now do we?”
All eyes fell on me.
“Say the grace, Stormie. Give us a reason to hear your voice,” Dolan said sweetly.
I look at Massa. He nods. Okay here goes nothing.
“I… I don’t know how to say the grace.”
Laughter.
“Wait, are you serious? I know no one is religious, but you should at least know how to say the grace!”, Dolan exclaimed.
“I’m serious my prince. I don’t know how to say the grace. I didn’t know graces could be said.”
He laughed. “You’re really funny. You’ve got yourself a keeper Mass.”
“More like a loser,” Eoff said. “Massa is too knee-deep in sin. He needs someone to keep him in check, and a woman who can’t say the grace is not what he needs.”
“You really want to know what I need right now? Your head on a spike,” Massa barked.
“Cut it out you two,” Ruarc said. “This argument is not necessary. Someone should just say the grace so that we can all eat and leave.”
“I will say it,” Sia said, rising. His eyes fixed on me.
“May Stormie stay alive for a very long time.”
Thane scoffed. “More like may she die immediately.”
Sia turned to him. “You can at least say amen.”
Holding Sia’s gaze, I whispered amen.