Kaenen bowed deeply and within a second, Kaenen vanished into the stone corridors, leaving Vikra alone on the high balcony.
Vikra's kept his sharp golden eyes fixed on the secluded garden below. Down there, Adrian and Elyria were still laughing softly, immersed in their private conversations.
It didn't take long for heavy, hurried footsteps to echo down the hallway.
The heavy oak doors of the upper pavilion swung open. Thoris stepped out onto the balcony, looking annoyed as he leaned against the stone archway. He had a loose furry tunic pulled over his chest, his long hair was loosely tied, his chest partially exposed under his leather furs and a scowl firmly planted on his face.
He didn't look like a man preparing for a grand imperial visit; he looked like he had just woken up from a long nap.
"What do you want, brother?" Thoris snapped, not bothering to bow or offer any greeting.
"I was in the middle of resting. Kaenen claimed it was urgent."
Vikra didn't turn around immediately. He kept his arms crossed, staring out at the distant horizon as he let the silence stretch until Thoris leaned against the stone railing beside him before slowly looking over his shoulder.
"You missed another lesson with Elder Nasha," Vikra said, his voice dropping into a low, rumbling growl.
Thoris snorted loudly, rolling his shoulders as he walked toward the stone railing. He kept a deliberate distance between himself and his elder brother, leaning against the edge with an arrogant grin and lazily stretched his arms.
"I don't need a hundred-year-old woman repeating what I've heard since I was a child and telling me how to marry my own brides," Thoris said lazily.
"I know how our tribe works. Besides, Adrian was there, wasn't he? And so was Elyria. I already know our customs."
Vikra turned his head slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing.
"You treat this entire arrangement like a game, Thoris. You take two imperial siblings as your brides, claim one carries your child, and then disappear when it comes time to show respect to the elders."
Thoris snorted, waving a dismissive hand.
"I don't care as long as Adrian was there. That's enough. Besides, he needed something to do so he wouldn't lie in bed complaining all day."
"Adrian is carrying a child therefore he needed your support," Vikra said sternly, stepping closer until his massive shadow completely covered Thoris.
"*Your* child—the future of our bloodline. Yet you run around chasing wild dreams about the Crown Prince of Valemont while neglecting the family you already have right here."
"I don't need to sit in a stuffy office for four hours listening to lectures on ancient customs just to prove that I take of my brides. And don't act like you care about my attendance, Vikra. You just enjoy giving me orders."
"I give you orders because someone in this family has to keep the peace before the Valemont Emperor steps foot on our land," Vikra replied unbothered by Thoris' attitude.
"Look down there."
Thoris glanced lazily over the railing toward the lower garden. Down below, Elyria was gently setting down her teacup while Adrian patted her hand comfortingly.
"Elyria is your second bride," Vikra said, his tone turning cold and serious.
"Yet you have spent every single day entirely consumed by Adrian. She is sitting in our palace feeling like an outsider because her future husband barely acknowledges her existence."
Thoris let out a dry, sarcastic laugh.
"Oh, is the great warrior Vikra worried about a little imperial princess's feelings? If you care so much about her then why don't you talk to her yourself?"
"Because she is not mine," Vikra said firmly, stepping closer to Thoris. His shadow towered over his younger brother.
"She was given to *you* to secure the alliance. The tribe expects you to treat both of your brides with respect. If you ignore Elyria, you shame her, you shame her family, and you weaken the bond we are trying to build with the Valemonts."
Thoris' smile faded, replaced by a dark, hostile glare. He hated when Vikra acted like the leader of the tribe. He hated the way Vikra spoke with absolute authority, as if he were already sitting on the high chieftain's throne.
"Don't tell me how to handle my woman, Vikra. You may have forced them on me but now they are mine to deal with however I want, so watch yourself."
Thoris growled, his hand resting near his belt.
"Adrian is carrying my child, the future heir of my house. Of course he gets my attention. Elyria will get her turn when I decide she gets it."
"The imperial family arrives in five days," Vikra reminded him, ignoring Thoris' subtle threat.
"So you better be the one to watch yourself. And forget about Cassian, he is beyond your reach. You are obsessed with a man who would gladly cut your throat while you sleep."
"He can try!," Thoris grinned, leaning closer to Vikra's face.
"It only makes taming him more fun."
"What you want is dangerous Thoris," Vikra warned, his voice dropping to a cautious whisper.
"You speak of taming Prince Cassian as if he were a wild horse. But I have studied the Valemonts. Cassian is a viper. If you try to cage him, he will bite your throat before you even realize you're bleeding."
Thoris threw his head back and laughed—a loud, confident sound that echoed over the stone courtyard below.
"Let him try that too!" Thoris grinned, his golden eyes burning with wild excitement. "I'd love to see him try!
"Now, if you're done lecturing me like a child, I'm leaving. I have a plan to prepare for our guests."
Vikra looked at his younger brother with a mixture of pity and annoyance. He shook his head slowly.
"Five days," Vikra said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"The Emperor and Crown Prince Cassian will arrive in five days. If you cause a scene or insult our guests before the alliance is sealed, I will not hesitate to put you in your place myself."
Thoris' grin widened, entirely unbothered by the threat.
"Don't worry, elder brother. I won't ruin the wedding."
He turned around, taking a step back toward the hallway, resting his hand casually on the hilt of his hunting dagger.
"I'm just going to make sure it's a wedding the Empire will never forget."
Without waiting for a response, Thoris turned on his heel and walked away, his heavy boots echoing loudly against the stone floor.
Vikra stood alone on the balcony, watching his younger brother disappear down the corridor. Then he let out a quiet sigh, his hand rubbing the back of his neck as he looked back down at the peaceful garden below.
Trouble wasn't just coming from the West. It was already breeding inside his own home.
*****
Down in the quiet garden, the loud echo of Thoris' laughter faintly carried over the high walls.
Adrian stopped mid-sip, his eyes instinctively darting up toward the high palace balcony. He couldn't see Thoris clearly from beneath the shade of the trees, but he recognized that obnoxious, arrogant laugh anywhere.
Elyria noticed her brother's sudden stiffness.
"What is it?"
Adrian set his teacup down on the stone table, letting out a heavy, tired sigh.
"Nothing," Adrian murmured, rubbing his aching temples.
"Just the sound of trouble brewing."
Elyria looked at him with gentle concern. "Are you worried about when Cassian gets here?"
Adrian stayed quiet for a long moment. He looked at his own pale reflection in the warm tea, thinking of his cold, sharp younger brother who was currently marching across the ocean toward them.
"I'm not worried about Cassian," Adrian whispered softly.
"I'm worried about what happens when two unstoppable forces clash. Cassian doesn't yield to anyone... and Thoris is too stupid to realize when he's playing with fire."
Elyria reached over, covering his hand with hers. "We'll survive it, Adrian. We always do."
Adrian offered her a small, fragile smile.
"I hope so, Elyria. I really really hope so."
*****