Iridescent

Chapter 19

Stasia

"No, this is more than enough," Nikolai reassured, smiling towards mother about the meal. "Thank you."

Mother nodded towards him with a certain tenderness in her face, "I just wanted to make sure that you were well fed for your long trip tomorrow."

I glanced towards father who kept his face lowered into his plate—pushing food around.

"Much appreciated," He nodded towards her and I found myself wondering if they have ever talked this much before. Shaking it from my thoughts, I paid more attention to the bread roll I was picking apart.

Mother kept the conversation going and I realized she was actually eating some food in the process, "How long of a trip is it, Prince Nikolai?"

"A couple of days—but it won't be terrible in any way. I feel more comfortable on the water than I do land most of the time," He nodded, a flash of excitement swimming in his eyes. "Have you ever sailed before?"

Father's voice cut in, making the cheerful warmth of the room chill a little, "Regina doesn't go farther than Lady Walsh's." Mother's gaze dived into her food and I watched as Nikolai frowned towards her, forwarding his somber gaze to me.

I wanted to dissect his look some more, but he quickly sliced his eyes over to father, who kept his face out of reach. Besides that, Father and Nikolai have barely thrown a syllable at each other all evening—and last time we met for a meal, they were finishing each other's sentences and cheering glasses like a pair of longtime pals. When Uncle Braden cared to surface from his suite, I could tell that even he felt like a broken wheel beside the two.

What changed?

The doors opened and we all flipped our gazes to see Lyall walk in, "Griffin and Tomas have arrived."

Is that heaven I hear?

Mother nearly jumped out of her seat in surprise. Tomas had nearly grown a foot and his hair was longer, browner than it was blonde—a mess of curls on his head. Mother rushed over, hugging him with tears in her eyes.

"Gosh, it has been so long—I was wondering if we were ever going to see you again," Her voice was muffled by the hug. Tomas laughed, saying something to her that I couldn't hear.

Griffin's familiar smirk danced over to me and he dashed a wink, stealing a kiss on the cheek from mother as well. I stood, rushing over to Tomas, who picked me up, swinging me around in a hug. Griffin was close behind him, kissing my cheek, warming my face into a smile.

His voice was low in my ear, so no one could hear, "So the rumors are true."

I pulled out of the hug, furrowing my eyebrows at him, but his eyes passed mine, over my head in the direction of Nikolai. "What rumors?" I questioned.

It better be something good, at least.

"Sit," Mother waved them over, "Eat. Please." She took Tomas' arm, moving over to her seat quickly. Griffin looked at me with a teasing smile that I didn't like all too well as he made his way over to the chair beside Nikolai.

When I sat down, Nikolai was standing shaking hands with Griffin who was greeting him, "Griffin Callaech, Stasia's favorite cousin—also her very favorite person, no sincerity and apologies given or received—more importantly, where's my invite to the wedding?"

If there was something in my mouth, I would have happily spit it at him.

"Griffin," I snapped at him, and Nikolai bit back a laugh, glancing towards me.