22. Hiero

Chapter twenty-two

Hiero

“ I still can’t believe you held a knife to the prince’s throat,” I marveled to my little hellion. I was laid up in bed, my head resting in Skylar’s lap as he slowly massaged my scalp, his nimble fingers dragging through my locks of hair and sending tingles of pleasure all the way to my toes, helping me to ignore the lingering throb in my side. “That’s gotta be a crime in Emrallt Valley.”

“Yes, it would have been a death sentence. Might still be,” he said, sounding distracted.

“Are you serious?” I glanced up at him, astonished by both the threat to his safety and his utter nonchalance.

“Yes, but we’re in shifter territory, so it would be harder to prosecute. Most of Queen Gwyneth’s treaties with the neighboring realms are built on neutrality. Cedrych coming here with his royal guard and instigating that fight could be seen as an act of war. ”

“And they’d have to arrest you, which won’t be happening so long as you stay here,” I said. Skylar looked absolutely wretched, so I placed a hand on his thigh. “What is it, baby?”

“I have to go back.”

A sense of dread descended. I knew this was coming, didn’t I? Had he grown bored already? Had I clipped his proverbial wings too much?

“Why’s that?” I asked as I braced myself for his reason.

“I need to sort out a few things and visit a few people.”

“You’re being awfully vague, boy. Are you in trouble?”

His hesitation was brief, but it was there. “Not in any criminal trouble.”

“Did Cedrych threaten you with something?” I asked because if he had…

“No, and I don’t plan on seeing him at all if I can help it.”

Well, that was a relief. I’d like him to stay the hell away from the royal family altogether. “Remember my rule about not having to do things on your own?” I reminded him.

He sighed and glanced down at me, a soft smile tugging on his lips. “Yes, Daddy.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” It wouldn’t be easy but I could arrange some time off.

“No, you need to stay here and heal. Besides, this is something I have to do alone.” He sounded resolved about it, but unhappy, nonetheless.

“Can you tell me what’s wrong, sweetheart? I’d like to help you if I can.” I really didn’t like the idea of him going off on his own, especially not with the threat of the prince’s retribution hanging over his head.

Smiling faintly, he said, “I’ll tell you when it’s over. I promise.”

“You’re coming back then?” I said, daring to hope.

His eyes widened in surprise and his expression dimmed. “I mean… only if you want me to.”

I grabbed onto his hand and held it with both my own. “I want you to, Skylar. I want you here with me every single day.” For the rest of my life, I would have said but not knowing the shape of his heart, I kept it to myself. “How long will you be gone?”

“A half-moon at the most.”

“I want you to check in when you arrive to let me know that you’re safe. And summon me every day.”

“I will.”

“And I know you said you'd stay away, but please don't start a fight with the prince. My heart couldn’t take it if something bad happened to you.”

With an unbearably sad look, he said softly, “I’ll be good for you, Daddy. I promise.”

It had been less than a day since Skylar left for Emrallt Valley and already I was in a funk. It didn’t help that it was Sunday and Church was closed, giving me more time to mope. After seeing him and Monica off at the town center, I said my devotionals in the tiny prayer room that had been used by the monks for private prayer, then set to polishing my silverware because I couldn’t do anything too strenuous and I needed to keep my hands busy.

Now, it was nearing sunset and I was staring hopelessly out the window like a maiden in a tower. I’d been ignoring the summons from my cousins all day, and I didn’t plan to go to Enid’s place for family dinner either. My plan was to brood, something of an art form for me.

A brisk knock at my door interrupted my gloom. It was Frito, and I could tell by his demeanor that he wasn’t taking no for an answer.

“I don’t feel like going anywhere tonight,” I told him, now at the height of my melancholy.

“Skylar left just this morning and you’ve already got this jilted lover thing perfected?” he scoffed.

“I’m having a quiet night in, Frito. You don’t need to poke.” I’d already made myself a cup of tea and was sitting in my recliner with my favorite blanket thrown over me. It still smelled of Skylar, but it wouldn’t for much longer.

“It’s a clear night, cuz. We’re headed to the top of the mountain on our bikes for a bonfire and some beers. And I need you there. ”

“And why is that?” I asked pissily. I wouldn’t put it past Frito to manufacture some crisis just to get me out of my comfy chair.

“Frankie and the pups have been bugging me to set off the fireworks we bought from The Magic Shop, and I need backup to make sure no one blows themselves up.”

My kin were wonderful people, but not the best at following proper safety protocol. Still, I hesitated. “Can’t you see I’m not in the mood, Frito? Just let a man be.”

“Nope. You’re coming with me, boss. Moping around here isn’t going to bring him back any sooner, and I know how much you like blowing shit up.”

Well, he wasn’t wrong.

Up there on the mountaintop, watching fireworks light up the night sky, I couldn’t help but wonder where Skylar was at that moment. Had he made it safely down to the valley? Were members of the guard waiting there to arrest him? Whose ass was I gonna have to kick next? At least he had Monica in his corner. She seemed like a woman who could raise some hell.

“Russell, be careful with that wick. It’s a short fuse. Back up. Back up ,” I shouted at one of Enid’s brood. She’d elected to stay home tonight with her husbands and cash in on her babysitting chip, warning me that if any of her litter came back with fewer fingers or toes, there’d be hell to pay.

Injury was avoided as the boy threw the firecracker high into the air and ran away screaming. The thing exploded like a comet, streaking across the night sky before fizzling into embers. The noise was so loud that I almost missed the buzz in my back pocket. I opened the summoner to see Skylar’s lovely face.

“Hi, Daddy, I just wanted to let you know that we arrived safely, and I’m here at Monica’s for the night.”

“Thanks for calling me, baby. How was the trip?”

“Long, but I survived. Monica kept me entertained as always.”

“And how are you?” I asked because he looked a little peaked and his features seemed sharper than usual. I couldn’t wait for him to come home so I could feed him honey cakes and fruit cobblers and all the treats that he liked so much.

“I’m fine,” he said with a weary smile. “Just a little tired from our travels.”

A sudden explosion from behind made me jump.

“Five minutes,” I called to the crowd, searching for some peace and privacy on the rocky mountain top.

“What are you up to?” Skylar asked.

“I’m out here with Frito and Frankie and Enid’s pups, setting off fireworks. ”

“You’re not straining yourself are you?” he asked in a warning tone.

Another explosion rattled the ground beneath me. “Goddamnit, Frankie, what did I say?”

“Sorry, cuz,” he called back.

“I’m taking it easy,” I assured him. “Just supervising the chaos.”

“Sounds like fun. Goddess, I miss being there already,” Skylar said longingly.

“Do you?”

“Yes, and I miss you too, Daddy. All I want is to crawl under the covers and have you hold me right now.” He wrapped an arm around himself, a poor substitute for my own.

“I want that too, sweetheart. I can’t wait for you to come home.” His smile was a little sad, so I tried coaxing him to open up. “You can tell me, you know? Whatever it is that’s troubling you. If it’s punishment you’re worried about–”

“I’m not,” he said quickly.

“Then what is it?”

“I’m just… afraid,” he said softly, and just when I thought he might confide in me, another firecracker went off, so close that my nuts crawled up into my gut. “Goddamn you kids,” I hollered to a smattering of giggles.

“I’ll let you get back to it,” Skylar said. “Make sure you don’t tear your stitches. I’ll call you tomorrow morning? ”

As disappointed as I was, I knew we couldn’t have this conversation right then. I was distracted and he was reluctant to share, but I vowed to get it out of him sooner or later.

“Anytime, sweetheart. I’m always available.”

He gave me another tentative smile, “Goodnight, Daddy.”

“Goodnight, baby boy.”