| Chapter 41 Kevin walked through the garden, admiring the beauty. He still had a hard time believing he was actually in this wonderful place. He sat down on a bench and enjoyed the warm morning suns. Everything was happening so fast. Brian was engaged, and by the looks of it would be married soon. Nick was in heavy negotiations, trying to stop an almost certain war. When did he grow up anyway? Kevin chuckled to himself, remembering some of the utterly stupid things Nick had done growing up. Now he was ruler of a planet. God must really have some sense of humor. Kevin heard the galloping of unicorn hooves and looked towards the stables. Nick was coming in from his morning ride with Thomas. Kevin noted the younger mans posture and manner. Both spoke of stress and worry. He got up and walked toward the stable as Nick jumped down off Thomas and patted his neck, talking to him. Thomas purred loudly, tossing his head, as Kevin approached, "Hey Nick." Nick turned around and half smiled, "Morning. You're up early." Kevin shrugged his shoulders and placed his hands in his front jeans pockets, "I love this time of morning. It's peaceful." Nick nodded, "Yeah." The older man watched as Nick unsaddled Thomas and proceeded to brush him out. "You've gotten good at that," Kevin said. Nick filled Thomas's feed basket with fresh hay, then came out of the stall, "It's really the only time during the day I have just for me, ya know?" Kevin nodded, walking towards the palace with him, "Yeah. Is there anything any of us can do to help?" "Naw, just you guys being here helps me. I know that you guys support what I do, and that means a lot," Nick replied. Kevin glanced over at him, "And the others don't?" Nick sighed, "I dunno. They don't say anything to me, but I know they disapprove of some of the things I've done, or how I do them. Of course no ones gonna tell me, cause I'm the king. But I can see it in their faces ... the looks they send each other." "What'd you do?" Kevin asked. "I changed the room around to suit me better. Apparently that's a no no. But it works better Kev, I don't understand why they have to be so against change, even a little one," Nick said, frustrated. Kevin put his hand on Nick's shoulder, "Change is hard for some people. Especially when no one's bucked the system for hundreds of years, like it is here. Just give it time, kiddo. Things will work out." Nick stopped and stared at his older brother, "I knew there was a reason you guys were here. I dunno if they'll ever get used to me, but just hearing you say it gives me hope." Kevin grinned, pulling Nick to him in a half hug as they entered the palace, "That's what I'm here for Nicky, instant support." Nick laughed, "Thanks Kev, but um, don't call me Nicky, it's disrespectful to the king." Kevin shook his head and chased the younger man down the hall, laughing the whole way. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Marie took Brian's hand, keeping him from gnawing on another fingernail, "Baby, don't worry, you don't have to make a good impression with him." He smiled at her, "We need to at least get along. We are gonna be related soon." Marie shrugged as their carriage arrived in front of the Brown's restaurant. Brian jumped down and helped Marie out, "This place is nice." She grinned mischievously, "Well if he's paying, we might as well take advantage of it, don't you think?" Brian laughed, opening the door for her, "Your bad." She raised her eyebrow, leaning in and whispering to him, "Wouldn't you like to know how much." "Oh I think I do," he laughed, as someone approached them to take them to their seats. As they walked through the restaurant, Brian noticed several people pointing to him and whispering. He did his best to ignore it, knowing his mark was the reason for their curiosity. They were seated and the waitress scurried off to get their drinks. Brian cleared his throat and pulled his shirt sleeve over his mark. Marie reached over and took his hand, "Don't hide what you are. Eventually the curiosity will wear off, besides, I thought you were used to people staring at you and whispering." He smiled, "I am. It's just that this is different." "How so?" she asked. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Well, on earth people did that because I was a Backstreet Boy. They were seeing a so called celebrity, and it was exciting for them." "And here people are whispering because of who you are. You are a celebrity, and it's exciting for them," Marie smiled, "See no difference." Brian smiled and looked down at his mark. It was glowing brightly, the blue earth shimmering against the golden suns. "I guess your right. It's all in how I define myself. On earth I'm a Backstreet Boy, and here I'm .....what am I?" he asked. "You are a treasure," Marie answered, leaning over and kissing his cheek. "Ah hem, excuse me," Devon said, smiling at the two when they looked up, "Hey sis, great to see you." Brian stood up, waiting until Devon had hugged Marie before shaking his hand. "Brian, nice to meet you," Devon said. "You too,"Brian said as they sat down. "So, it's been a while," Devon said, taking a sip of his water. Marie nodded, "It has. You know Devon, I can't help but wonder why you wanted to see me. I mean why after all these years are you so interested in my life?" Brian glanced between the two siblings, wondering if this was the end of dinner. Devon smiled, "I'm sorry Marie. I know that we haven't been close the last few years, but I've been busy with my work. I'm finally to the point that I have some leisure time. Time that I want to spend getting to know my little sis again." Marie stared at him for a moment, wondering if what he was telling her was really true. "Um, what do you do?" Brian asked, needing to fill the silence. Devon looked at him and grinned, only happy to talk about himself, "I'm in the import business. We cover the entire galaxy and bring in only the finest goods available. I'm very proud of my company, I've been there since the start. We are even rivaling the largest import company on Celeste now." Brian nodded, "That's great." "Yes it is,"Devon said as the waitress came and took their order, leaving their drinks. "Now sis, tell me what you've been up to the last few years," Devon said. Brian listened intently as Marie told Devon of her work in the hospital, then of her assignment to the palace. He loved hearing her talk, especially about her accomplishments. "So what do you do all day then? Surely the palace infirmary isn't that busy," Devon said. "We actually are. You have to remember that all the staff and guards also live within the palace walls. There's a mini city in there, complete with families. I stay quite busy," Marie defended. "I see, and Brian I heard on the vid that you were in an accident. Is that how you two met? In the hospital?" Devon asked. Brian took a drink and nodded, "Yes. She was the first person I saw when I woke up." "Oh really? Well, I guess it was love at first sight then?" Devon teased, as their food came. Brian chuckled, "Well almost, yeah." The three ate for a moment, enjoying the food. Brian had let Marie pick his meal and was having to ask her what things were. Devon couldn't understand him, and cursed himself for not thinking to bring a translator with him. He needed to know all he could about the kings friend. "So Brian, what is it that you do?" he asked. Brian quickly chewed the bite he had just placed in his mouth, "I'm a singer. The group I'm in are very popular on earth." "I see, and so when you two get married, where will you live? Here or there?" Devon asked. Brian looked at Marie for a moment, "We haven't really discussed it yet, but where ever Marie wants to be is where we'll live." Marie smiled at him, taking his hand in hers. Devon couldn't help but notice Brian's mark, "You're mark is beautiful, unlike any I've seen." "They created it just for Brian and those like him," Marie said proudly. "Ahhh yes, you are part Celestian. Very interesting indeed," Devon mused. Brian laughed nervously, "Yeah, that was um quite a shock, but a good one." Devon nodded, taking another bite, "I bet it was." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ana sat down to a late dinner with the queen. They had been working on the day to day activities that keep a palace going all morning. Ana found the queen to be a fascinating woman, and liked spending time with her. She looked around, seeing a third place set, "My queen, who else is eating with us?" "I am," Nick said, walking through the door and sitting down, rubbing his head. Ana smiled at him compassionately. Nick looked so tired. The negotiations were taking their toll on him, and it was only the second day. "Are you through with the ...?" LaDonna started to ask. Nick shook his head, "No, not by a long shot. We have recessed for a few hours. I needed a break, and we were at a stand still anyway." "So it's not going well?" Ana asked. Nick sighed, "Not really. Those two wouldn't agree that a pink elephant was pink at this point. Neither is willing to compromise on anything. I have a feeling it will be some time before we make any headway at all." "Nickolas, is there anything we can do to help?" his mother asked. He looked at her lovingly, "No, I wish there was, but there's not. Even the council and Anthony are at a loss as to how to get them to start agreeing." Ana stared across the table as Nick ate. She couldn't help it, she missed him. He glanced at her and smiled. The only thing he wanted to do was be with her. Talk to her, hold her, and have her tell him that things would work out. He sighed, going back to his dinner. LaDonna watched the two as she ate. She could tell how much they both ached to be alone with each other. She made a decision that she was sure she'd regret, but she couldn't take the look on her son's and Ana's faces any longer. She stood up, "I'm really not that hungry. I'm going to retire to my room for a little while. Ana when you've finished eating, please go back to my office and start on those papers," she said, leaving the table and exiting the room. Nick and Ana looked around, seeing they were alone. "You think she did that on purpose?" Nick asked. Ana shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know, but I'm thankful for it. I've missed you." Nick smiled, moving to the seat his mother had vacated and taking her hand, "I've missed you too." Ana studied his eyes, "You don't feel well?" Nick shook his head, "I have a headache, it'll go away." She reached out and smoothed his hair, letting her hand softly trail down his cheek. Nick licked his lips, leaning in and capturing her's in a kiss. Ana wrapped her arms around his neck as he pulled back. She guided his head to her shoulder and held him, somehow sensing that's what he wanted. "I don't know how to help you, but everything will work out. It just takes time," she whispered. Nick melted into her embrace, wrapping his arms around her and not ever wanting to let go. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maire helped Brian out of the carriage and into the palace. He stumbled and started to laugh, "Oops." "Come on baby, just a little bit more and you can go to bed," Maire urged, trying to steady him. "You know, I rrreeeeaaaallllyyyy like your ...brother," Brian laughed. "Well, maybe you should have stopped at two glasses of Manwa," she said, "I think you had a little to much." Brian stared at her, "I'm not drunk." Marie laughed, "Um yeah baby, you are." Brian stepped away from her swaying on his feet, he pointed his finger at her, "I am not. I'm perfectly .... whoa," he said, losing his balance and grabbing the wall. He giggled, "Well, maybe I am, just a little." Marie let him lean on her as they walked slowly down the hall, "OK, no more Manwa for you," she grinned. Brian laughed, "Aww, it tasted good." "I know baby, but it affects you differently than it does us," she said, seeing A.J. and Howie come around the corner. "Hey girly, what's up?" A.J. asked, looking at Brian. "I'm drunk!" Brian proudly announced. Howie and A.J. glanced at one another with amused faces. "Oh, and Brian, it's not even late afternoon yet," Howie tisked, shaking his head as he and A.J. took him from Marie. "Apparently one of our wines has an increased affect on your kind. He only had four glasses, normally that's not even enough to get a good buzz," Marie said, leading the group down the hall. "It was soooooo goooooood," Brian sing songed, "Like a sweet ... um sweet thing." "OK, lets get you into bed," Howie laughed, as they finally reached his room. Brian looked outside, "It's still daylight. I don't wanna go to bed," he whined. A.J. chuckled, grabbing the older man and pushing him into the bed, "Lay down and go to sleep." "Nut uh, not sleepy," Brian said, crossing his arms over his chest while Howie and Marie took his shoes off. "Listen Rok, I know you aren't sleepy, but just close your eyes OK?" A.J. said, "You might like what you see." Brian raised an eyebrow, "Oh? What am I gonna see?" "I dunno, that's the fun part, you get surprised," A.J. said, sounding really excited. Brian pondered that for a moment, then smiled, "OK, but if .. if I don't see anything good, it's your fault." "OK Rok, whatever you say," A.J. laughed as Brian closed his eyes. After a few minutes he was fast asleep. A.J. smiled at Marie, "You gotta point out that wine the next time we're out." Chapter 42 |