Forged in Stone Read Online Free PDF Page B

fruit. The fruits of Energo were matched by none. I picked up a jade fruit for later, overpaying the vendor. I had a soft spot for people who made a living off the land. Jade fruits were by far my favorite. Shaped like a coconut, the fleshy insides of the fruit were both sweet and tart.
    The guard at the castle entrance let me in with a nod, and I continued through the familiar halls of my childhood home. How times had changed.
    I took a quick peek in the banquet room. Charlotte and Liam used it far more than my father ever did. The shy teenage girl Charlotte once was had slowly become the leader everyone needed her to be. Too bad we all had not grown into our roles that well.
    “That didn’t take long.” Charlotte’s low voice had me turning.
    “I would not want to leave the Essence waiting, now would I?”
    “When have you ever concerned yourself with leaving someone waiting?” Her blue eyes twinkled with amusement.
    I shrugged. “There is a first time for everything.”
    “How are you?” She straightened the long skirt of her blue dress. It had not taken long for her to grow used to the traditional clothes of Energo.
    “I am well, and yourself?” I rested a hand on the cold stone wall.
    “I assume Henry told you I needed to see you?” She played with the ends of her long brown hair.
    “Yes, is there something you need my services for?”
    She smacked my arm. “Cut it out.”
    “What? I am one of your Guardians after all.”
    “I have news to share.” She grinned.
    “News?”
    “News.” She blushed.
    “Wait, that kind of news?” There was only one thing that would make a girl smile that wide and also blush.
    “Yes.” She grinned. “We’re due this summer.”
    “We? Liam is pregnant too?” I teased. Charlotte was like a sister to me. The teasing came naturally.
    “You know exactly what I mean.” She pouted.
    “Congratulations.”
    “Aren’t you going to hug me?”
    “Hug you?” I raised an eyebrow.
    “Yes. Share in the excitement?”
    “When have I ever hugged you?”
    “After I saved you.” She put a hand on her hip.
    “Which was after I saved you.”
    “Just hug me, idiot.”
    I laughed. “Come here.” I pulled her into a hug. “I am happy for you both.”
    “You’re going to be an honorary uncle.”
    “No thanks.” No child needed me in that position. I would hardly qualify as a good role model.
    “Why not?” She pulled back. “You’re like another brother to me.”
    “Am I? What does that say about the kiss we shared?” I teased her about a silly kiss that happened ages ago.
    “That was before you became like a brother to me.” She smiled.
    “Your kid can call me what he wants.”
    “It might not be a he. It could be a girl.”
    I heard the sound of footsteps and knew who was coming. “True, it could be. If so, I hope she gets your looks and not her father’s.”
    Liam strolled over. With his messy auburn hair and tall height, he was hard to miss. “Despite what you actually meant by that insulting comment, I agree. I hope all of our daughters look like Charlotte.”
    I chuckled. “How many daughters are you planning to have?”
    Charlotte pursed her lips. “None of your business. Just say congratulations again, and we can move on.”
    I laughed. “Moving on…” I remembered Henry’s suggestion, and I remembered the girl. “Any chance I could take a little break?”
    “A break?” Liam narrowed his eyes. “Looking to spend a few days at the beach or something?”
    “Something like that.”
    “What’s her name?” Charlotte’s eyes twinkled.
    “Who says there is a girl involved?”
    “James, it’s me you’re talking to. I know you. I’ve known you for nearly a decade.”
    “You have, and how many women have I been involved with in that time?”
    “And how many breaks have you asked for in that time?”
    “I’m going to let you two duke this out. As far as I’m concerned, leave is approved.” Liam kissed Charlotte on the cheek before