Prince Ever After. A.C. Arthur

quipped.

      “No. We don’t.”

      His brother’s response was quick and curt.

      “This is my life,” Kris continued. “Now, with Landry by my side, I feel like it’s finally complete. Like she was meant to be there to help me through this journey. I have no doubt that I was meant to rule Grand Serenity one day and that Landry will help me with that. We’ll have a family and we’ll be happy here. One day.”

      “Wow,” Roland replied with a sigh. “I wish my future was that clear.”

      It was the truth, he thought, as he sat back in his chair. He did wish that he knew what he wanted for his future. He wished there was a plan for him, a goal, a woman...

      “Brunson said you played poker with the casino owner a few nights ago.”

      Kris’s words were a cool statement, one filled with judgment. But Roland wasn’t offended. He was used to being judged by people, even his family. They’d done so all his life.

      “It was an interesting game,” he replied.

      Interesting seemed like a good word for what had happened that night. As for how Roland had spent the next evening, well, he was still trying to figure out how to describe that. Luckily, he didn’t have to, not to Kris, anyway.

      “You won,” Kris said, a semblance of a smile forming. “That’s my brother.”

      Roland grinned. “Winning is always preferred.”

      Kris chuckled then. “Dad said Grandpa always told him that.”

      “Really? Dad never mentioned that to me.”

      “Maybe because you don’t talk to him as much as Sam and I do.”

      “I don’t please him as much as you and Sam do,” Roland quickly corrected. “But that’s not what I want to talk about. Let’s try going over why you have one of the guards reporting my every move to you. Am I a suspect in what’s been going on now?”

      “Don’t be ridiculous,” Kris countered. “Of course you’re not a suspect. But you are a part of this mess. If they’re gunning for one of us, all of us are affected. The guards are there to protect you and the rest of the family.”

      “Are they reporting on what Sam does? Who she sees? How long she stays out?”

      “Sam isn’t playing poker with people who do business within our country. And she’s not at the museum telling tourists that there may be buried treasure in the castle.”

      So he knew that Roland had gone to the museum, as well. Roland wondered when, or if, Kris was going to ask the million-dollar question.

      “Sam is living her life. She married the man of her dreams. She’s continuing her work with the children here, and now in the United States, which will soon be her second home. Everything she does is rooted in who she is and what she’s always wanted to become. Me, I’m doing the same thing.”

      Kris shook his head.

      “You’re stalling,” Kris told him. “That’s what you’ve always done. But one of these days, Ro, you’re going to have to grow up. When you do, you’ll have to decide who the adult Roland DeSaunters is going to be. A professional poker player? A womanizer? Whatever it is, you’ll have to decide for yourself and stand by it. Are you ready to do that?”

      “I don’t have to answer that,” Roland countered.

      He was slowly becoming agitated. He did not like that feeling, so he stood. Moving cleared his mind. It reminded him that not only was he alive, but that he was in control. He could decide where he went, what he did, how he did it. Everything was his decision and no one else’s.

      Kris stood as well. “You’re right, Ro. You don’t have to answer to me. Or to Dad or to any one of those reporters that love to write stories about you and your frequent escapades. There’s only one person you’ll ever have to answer to, and that’s yourself. Just make sure that when you do, you can be honest about everything you’re doing. Everything you’re saying or promising.”

      Roland stared at his brother and waited, because he knew it was coming.

      “I was never engaged to marry Valora Harrington,” Kris said. “We both know that. She knows that. Her father believes differently. And you kissing her on the side of the road will only confuse matters for her and for the people of Grand Serenity.”

      “I’m an adult and so is she,” Roland instantly countered. “It’s nobody’s business what we do or where we do it. Nobody’s!”

      Kris shook his head. “You’re wrong about that, Ro. Because, whether you like it or not, you’re a prince. That’s not just a title, it’s a responsibility. Even for the Reckless Royal.”

      Roland turned away then because he wanted to curse. He actually wanted to throw something. But not at Kris. He knew his brother was just doing his job. As always. He had to come and say something to his younger brother. He had to correct the wrongs before they could affect the country. Roland knew that. He hated it, but he knew it.

      “She’s been through enough, man. Just leave her alone. We’ve got enough going on to keep us occupied. Don’t start unnecessary rumors or make her another notch in your belt. It’s not fair to her. None of this has ever been fair to her.”

      Roland didn’t move, not even when he heard his front door open and close. He stood there staring out at his mountain, wondering how soon he could be packed and get off this island.

       Chapter 5