Chapter 19: Mistaken

King Malcolm extended his hand to help Dylan and Kane up from the floor. He directed them next to Quinn, who positioned himself on the bed so his brothers would have to sit on either side of him. Quinn was already Kim Wrexham and living in his own castle, but he had grown up as an unwilling referee between his brothers’ constant fighting.

“Nothing could have prepared us for this terrible day,” Malcolm said. “We all die, but none of us imagined your mother would leave us so young. The days ahead will be difficult, much more so than we realize. We must rely on each other as a family. Kane, even you and Dylan, despite your conflicts, need to support each other as brothers.

“I am the king, and my duty leaves me little time for grieving,” Malcolm continued. “Except when it comes to the three of you. Even if the castle is under attack, if the weight of your sadness is too much to bear, come see me.” Quinn interrupted him with stifled laughter.

“What is it?” Malcolm asked.

“I imagined the four of us with swords drawn, fending off attacks and crying at the same time,” Quinn said. The others joined in his laughter, and they clasped hands and let it flow over them.

“How could I have been so mistaken?” Siannon thought, still unseen in their room. “I’ve been so lost in my own grief that I overlooked my own children. I wasn’t there for them.”