I opened my eyes unwillingly, the last few days had ensured that I had less than than the average hours of sleep.

I was exhausted, and exhaustion combined with my new anxiety and caution from my recent scare was not a good mix. The memory of the cemetery flashed in my mind, I sighed, another tally for my collection I suppose.

Goddess forbid I am ever put in that position again, we were almost exposed, that was way to close. Shivering at that final thought, I finally got fully out of bed, throwing the sheets off with more enthusiasm than I felt. Always good to put on the mask bright and early, I thought with a bittersweet smile. 

I traced my hand against the rough granite walls as I walked leisurely over to my well polished dresser. 

Chuckling, I realized that Liv had made herself scarce when I had woken, I made a mental note to tease her about that later. I was preparing for an easy morning before readying myself for court in the afternoon but a knock on the servants entrance to my quarters changed my plans. 

I quickly finished pulling on my comfortable, homey attire. 

"Enter," I said, tugging at the hem of my tunic, the seam was in need of repair. 

A maid entered with a message that ruined my perfect morning plans.

"His Majesty wishes to see you for breakfast my prince," the maid said timidly, head down. 

His majesty wants to see me? Why? I'm the youngest son! He should be harassing my brothers, not me...did he find out about-no, Vail didn't get remotely near him. 

I sighed, using fake annoyance to mask my momentary panic, "My father asked me personally?" 

The maid gave a slight nod and said, "your brothers will be there as well my prince."

My brothers? This day is getting less appealing by the minute. Aliv, Lorcs, Zedian, Calv, Xi, and Ior. My six older brothers. All prideful, all cruel, and all enjoy making sport of harassing me. Well, really it's just Aliv and Zedian leading that charge...but really? All six? I'll be beaten to death before mornings end. 

"Notify my father that I will be there," better to play the perfect son than to cause a scene. I can use this interaction to gage whether father is leaning towards Aliv or Zedian for the throne anyway. It will help me finalize my plans after all, I thought smugly.  

"You are dismissed, I told the made in a boared tone. Not needing to be told twice the woman practically ran from the room.

 Well, I guess my she got landed with delivering something to one of brothers before.

"Liv, you'd best hang back for this one." The last time I had allowed Liv to come to a supposed family meal, she had almost thrown a knife at Xi for making a snide comment about my profound interest in history. 

"You can't go alone," Liv said, "they'll eat you alive!" 

This was true, but I wasn't about to let Liv have a repeat of last time either. 

"Do you recall last time? You know, the incident with the kitchen knife and a your terrifyingly accurate aim?" I said pointedly. 

Liv did not respond, likely trying to find a logical argument to change my mind. 

"Liv, you stay here, please." my concern for her radiated in that last word. After last night we can't afford another incident. Too much could be exposed. 

I could loose you...

Sighing she backed off flopping down on my bed. 

"I'll be back in an hour or so," I said, hoping to the goddess that my brothers didn't pull any tricks, I didn't get enough sleep to deal with them today. 

Exasperation for the absurdity of my situation almost made me laugh, shaking my head in amusement I walked out of my bedroom and into my study. 

Well, here we go, I thought, turning to exit my living quarters, Another unfortunate event to add to this week's tally. 

The two guards wordlessly opened the door to the royal dining hall for me as I stepped through the giant double doored archway that marked the entrance to hell. I was met by six cold stares and my father's naive smile. How on earth did he manage to land a place on the throne? Screw that, how is this man even still alive? I knew all too well that my brothers were not above hiring assassins to eliminate threats, I had several scars to prove it. At least I actually got off my ass and got my hands dirty when I needed someone offed. Well, most of the time at least. And they call me a coward. Ha. 

"Father, Brothers," I said, offering my father a low bow. 

Taking my seat at the far end of the table next to Calv, I steeled myself for the next few hours of chaos that were sure to ensure upon all seven of us being present in the same room.