21. Killian

Chapter twenty-one

Killian

N aven showed up at noon with two pig cookers and meat for both. He was pleased to see the bathroom, and I showed him the walls came down for winter. He set up his things, and Jules was more than curious about everything. Naven was very nice, talking to Jules and explaining everything he was doing. Naven’s daughter, Nirah, arrived at supper time, and I discovered she was a landscaper. I talked to her about the soccer field on the opposite side of the gravel drive, and she thought it was an excellent idea. She asked about the hotel and the new homes, and Sophie came out to hire Nirah to do the landscaping for those projects. So far, things were going well.

Friday morning, the ladies of the Pride arrived with pies and side dishes. I talked to everyone and introduced Jules, who stayed with me. The Pride was happy to see him and pleased to be invited onto the King’s property.

Barnham showed up at four, around the same time as Cully and Maisy. I stood on the porch, watching the man remove a shotgun from the back of his truck, and handed Jules to Sophie. She took Jules into the house, then. Barnham and I were gonna fight about it.

Everyone got quiet as I stormed off the porch and counted spaces, grabbing the gun from Barnham’s hand. I gripped his jaw with my right hand and turned his gaze to mine.

“What are you doing?” I growled. “This is a Pride function. There will be no fighting. You will leave Cully and Maisy alone.”

Damn. I’d given the man a direct order, and he had to obey.

Zee approached me from my right, hands up in the feline version of surrender. He eased me away from Barnham, and Naven grabbed the gun.

“We ain’t fightin’ no more! We got a problem, an’ Killy will fix it!” Naven yelled. “Don’t test the King. He don’t hafta git furry to eatcha!”

Zee touched his forehead to mine as I breathed to calm down. Where’s Jules?

Sophie has him, I thought, and Zee walked me back to the porch. Someone else was dealing with Barnham, and I listened to the thoughts around me. Most were thankful I’d again stopped someone from dying. They thought Barnham was being stubborn over Maisy, too.

You did good, Zee thought. Sit here on the steps, and Sophie will bring Jules out. We’ll eat, and you can calm down.

Okay, I thought.

Sophie sat down beside me, and Jules climbed into my lap. He kissed my cheek, and I hugged him.

I wanted order within the Pride. Fire Ridge didn’t behave like this, dammit.

“My lord,” Cully approached from the side, calling me to make sure I didn’t snap at him. My anger was a palpable thing. Cully greeted Jules and then spoke to Sophie. I wasn’t listening. Yael tracked Zee, who was talking to everyone and getting four plates of food together. So much for having a nice time and meeting my Pride.

Sophie patted my shoulder. It’s all right. You’ve shown more care for them, and you have a backbone. Cassandra didn’t. Xeno treated them like a bank and didn’t make deposits. Axl never got to be King. You’re the first one they’ve seen since your father.

Maisy walked behind Zee, bringing what he couldn’t carry, keeping her gaze on the ground. Sophie took the plates, and Maisy hurried back to the pavilion again.

Jules waited for me to taste everything. Naven provided less spicy meat. The man waited for my approval, and I looked up, smiling as Jules ate his pork with his fingers.

Sophie, I thought. Can we find out who the Pride Archives librarian is supposed to be? I need to know who is supposed to be doing what.

Will do, she replied, and when she finished her supper, she headed over to the pavilion to speak with everyone.

I stayed on the porch steps with Jules.

Nirah approached with a three-year-old girl who had glossy black ringlets instead of MacLaden Blonde. The boy peered at me around Nirah’s legs, identical to his sister. “My lord, this is Syvyn and Sadie. They were wondering if Jules would like to play.” Syvyn dropped a soccer ball then, and Jules patted Zee’s cheek.

“They are nice,” Zee said.

Jules climbed out of my lap and greeted the twins in English. Nirah smiled at us; her thoughts were more about her children being accepted. She noted that Zee and I were together, and she was happy about that, too.

Several other smaller ones joined in the children’s game, and several older, single males formed a line for a boundary. The single females formed a line opposite the males, and they all cheered the little ones on.

I’d never seen that.

It’s courting, Zee thought. Barnham was the only stupid one out of the bunch. MacLaden Pride has never been to a Summit because they didn’t have the money for the required attire.

We have to change that . I sighed and leaned into him after he moved to sit behind me.

I watched Jules play, and his laugh was the best sound.

I have something for you, Zee thought. It’s all set up in our room.

I tilted my head up, and he kissed me, not caring who was watching.