HeroUnleased by Anna Alexander Page A

“It’s all right, General. I am so much
happier here than I ever was on Skandavia. I’ve taken lemons and made them into
a delicious lemon-vodka martini rimmed with sugar.”
    “Yes, you most certainly have.”
    She was much like Kristos in that regard. When they had
arrived on Earth, his brother had thrown himself into their new reality,
seeking joy in the everyday to overcome the pain of the past. But Lucian was
always aware that Kristos’ failure was never far from his thoughts and colored
his every action. At least that had always been the case before, perhaps now
that demon was finally slayed, thanks to Amaryllis.
    “Thank you for what you said to Kristos. I don’t think you
know just how much he needed to hear those words.”
    “I spoke the truth. My mother had committed herself to her
people. Nothing would sway her from doing what she believed was right. The only
person to blame for my mother’s death is Hamerkind. It was wrong of my father
to lay the blame on you and Kristos.”
    “I would have too. His bonded mate had been murdered, his
family gone—”
    “Then place blame on the man who was really at fault. It was
my father’s choice to not listen to his people and seek peace in the first
place. You and your brother were many of the casualities of his stubbornness.
His arrogance cost too many lives.”
    “He cared for his people.”
    “But he cared about his image more.” She picked up a stone
lying near her feet and skipped it to the other side of the riverbank with a
soft snick of her wrist. “We can’t dwell on the misery, Lucian. It helps no
one. Let’s focus on the good. Kristos found his happiness. Would that have
happened had he remained on Skandavia?”
    “Probably not.”
    “And you. Are you happy, Lucian?”
    A reply came readily to his lips, but the earnest light in
her eyes gave him pause. If there was anyone who might understand his lack of
connection to his new life, perhaps it was the princess.
    “I should be. I’m alive.” He gestured to the craggy green
hills and rushing river with the sunlight sparkling along its rippled edges. “I
live amongst this beauty. I have my family close. Aren’t I supposed to be
happy?”
    “But you don’t have a purpose.”
    He looked at her sharply, surprised that she arrowed with
deadly accuracy to the heart of his discontent. “I used to command hundreds of
men. Every second of my day was scheduled. I was part of something great that
held true meaning. Now I spend hours balancing ledgers and debating with
retirees the best weight of line to use bass fishing. It doesn’t compare.”
    “Haven’t you traveled? Explored the world?”
    “No. Not really. The only time I’ve left Cedar was to check
on you.”
    A delighted smile curled her lips. “Lucian, I want you to
make me a promise.”
    The request intrigued him more than he wanted.
    “When this Bale situation is over, I want you to take a
trip. Leave Cedar. Leave the state. Go away and experience other cultures.
Taste life. Find your purpose. Promise me.”
    Lucian gazed into her fathomless lavender eyes, easily
picturing a future where he walked the streets of London, climbed the steppes
of the Andes or took in a play in New York. And in each vision, Amaryllis was
at his side.
    “I promise.”
    Her smile softened, drawing his gaze to the soft pad of her
lips. Like a reed in a breeze he swayed, drawing closer, so close he scented
the sugary drink consumed during their journey on her breath. Would her kiss
taste as sweet?
    She tilted her head to the right, her lips parting as she
swayed closer. “Lucian,” she mouthed against his lips.
    “Princess,” he whispered.
    Princess.
    He jerked away from her so quickly, he lost his balance and
fell off the rock. His arms flailed as he landed in the gravel with a hard
grunt.
    “Lucian,” Amaryllis shouted. “Are you all right?”
    “I’m fine.” He jumped to his feet as if nothing was amiss.
“It’s, um, it’s getting late. We