Too Many Princes by Deby Fredericks Page B

the settee to make more room for it. His three children looked on silently. Brastigan, in particular, stood with hands on hips, wondering what he had said that was so very amusing.
    “ Father? ” Lottres finally ventured.
    “ Ah, ” sighed the king. His eyes twinkled merrily at Brastigan. “ Now I remember why I kept you around for so long. You make me laugh. You have no idea how your escapades have kept me entertained over the years. ”
    “ How nice, ” his son snapped. “ I wasn't aware I was providing such a valuable service. ”
    “ Of course not. ” Unferth still smiled, but with a trace of melancholy. “ Alustra wanted me to be stern and discipline your misconduct. I have tried not to disappoint her. ” Then he chuckled again, shaking his head. “ You made it hard, you rascal. I'll never forget the time you snuck that frog into Bettonie's bed. ” He leaned back to laugh again.
    “ Rascal? ” The childish word was almost an insult. Brastigan felt an unaccustomed tightness in his chest. He drew deep breaths to keep his composure.
    “ That was you? ” Therula demanded indignantly.
    “ Maybe. ” Brastigan was too upset to take pleasure in such an ancient exploit.
    “ Now, look. Sit down. ” The king patted the cushion beside his. “ I need to talk to you both before you go. ”
    Lottres obediently seated himself, but Brastigan tossed his dark hair restlessly.
    “ I feel better standing up. ”
    And he did. There was too much anger inside him, years' worth. The king's uncharacteristic warmth only churned up more.
    “ As you wish, ” Unferth answered mildly. “ I know it hasn't been easy, but I couldn't favor you, either one of you, in front of Alustra. It's been hard enough for her. ”
    “ Her, ” Brastigan snorted. “ You had half a dozen kids before she married you. Didn't she know what she was getting into? ”
    Therula frowned sharply, but the king answered with guarded equanimity. “ It was discussed at length in the prenuptial negotiations, yes. However, you will learn, if you should survive long enough, that living in a situation is different than talking about it. There were other factors involved, such as the political need of Tanix for alliances to balance Forix. ”
    “ It wouldn't hurt you to think of others' feelings from time to time, Brastigan, ” Therula put in. Normally she favored the king's temperament, but she could convey all her mother's cold hauteur when she wished—as she was now demonstrating.
    “ I've already told you, ” Brastigan snapped back. “ I don't need any more advice. ”
    The king chuckled wryly at that, but said with a trace of sternness, “ It hasn't been easy for any of us, you know. It hurt Alustra to see me with other women, and more, to see my crowd of youngsters running through the castle when she had so few of her own. It was easier for her to permit me affection toward my daughters, but it galled her to see me with you boys. So I restrained myself, and gave you to the care of strangers. ”
    Brastigan stood still, not even realizing he had stopped pacing. All his life he'd thought he was Unferth's least favored son, the misfit, the disgrace, the wastrel to be ignored whenever possible. Now the old man said they were actually the favorites, he and Lottres. Everything he had believed was wrong. Brastigan was used to being angry all the time. Now he didn't know how he felt. Numb, maybe.
    Then Lottres asked, greatly daring, “ Father, why do you have so many of us? I mean, it's got to be a burden on the treasury... ”
    “ The people you love, ” Unferth interrupted, “ are never a burden. Make no mistake, I do love you. All of you. ”
    Brastigan's habitual sarcasm took over. Here was another amazing statement, considering they hardly ever saw him. He began to pace again.
    “ I'm glad you asked, for this touches on the matter I wished to discuss. ” Unferth's voice now took on the courtly ring they were accustomed to. “ Long ago, before