Theo ran to the gazebo after the yelling match began. Noah was nowhere to be found and Melosa stood red in the face.

"Where's Noah?" Theo asked

"He decided to head to breakfast." Melosa turned, putting on a pretty smile. Her fists were still clenched and her jaw tensed. Theo glanced down then back up.

"Is that why you're about to pop your top?" Theo prodded. He leaned to the side trying to catch her eye. "If you are upset about that then I'll go with you to grab breakfast."

Melosa closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. "Are you truly that stupid that you think this is about breakfast?"

"I know the argument wasn't about breakfast, but whatever went on between you and my brother is nothing I want to be involved in," Theo said over his shoulder as he walked toward the entrance to the garden. He noticed she wasn't following him. "Are you just going to stand there?"

"Where are you going?"

Theo smiled. "Breakfast."

She folded her arms and frowned. "And what if I don't want to go?"

He shrugged and began walking. "Suit yourself." Melosa huffed in frustration and ran after Theo. She couldn't let the poor boy starve because he ended up in the stables and not the great hall.

~~~*~~~

The two were marching down the hall with Melosa in the lead. Theo thought it was quite entertaining that Noah had managed to get under this girl's skin in a matter of minutes. He was quite talented at this particular skill, but this was a new personal best.

She paid him no mind as they carried on through the castle. Theo didn't mind as his attention was brought to the painting hung on the walls. He was so enveloped in them that he didn't notice Melosa stopping. He ran into the back of her and she turned her head slightly glaring at him.

"Don't get mad at me. You're the one that stopped." Theo stepped back and saw why she stopped. Noah was standing there glaring daggers at Melosa while Gabriel stood away back staying out of the bubble of anger. "Noah, where did you go?"

No answers.

Theo glanced over at Gabriel who shrugged in confusion.

Gabriel pulled Noah away directing him back the way they came. He turned his attention to Theo as he shoved Noah down the hall. "We came to find you for breakfast. There's someone who wants to meet you."

"Coincidentally we were just on our way to breakfast." Theo perked up. He grabbed Melosa's arm grinning ear to ear. He was notorious for being a shit starter as Noah called him and boy would he live up to his title today. Melosa frowned as she was pulled down along with the others. Gabriel raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything more.

During the rather tense trip through the remainder of the castle, Gabriel kept shooting glances toward Theo. He had an odd suspicion that trouble was brewing and he had two options. Nip it in the bud or sit back and watch whatever unfolds. The conclusion was to wait till he had a full stomach then worry.

A laugh echoed down the corridors that could lift any bad mood. Well, that which wasn't Melosa's. Gabriel instantly knew who that laugh belonged to.

Ciro was standing with a few others. He threw his head back and another laugh escaped his lips.

"Gods, I can't stand him." Everyone turned to look at Melosa as she scrunched her nose. "He thinks he's something because he runs around here rubbing shoulders with those who actually matter."

Gabriel noticed Noah make a move to say something but Theo seemingly read Gabriel's mind as he moved to stop Noah.

"Who?" Gabriel was slowly figuring out this clearly spoiled girl and decided to play along with her entitlement.

"Ciro." She practically spat his name on the floor as if it was poison. "He'll learn though that he can't go through life shining that smile to get what he wants. The day someone puts him in his place will be a good day."

"If he broke your heart that's all you had to say." Gabriel deadpanned. The willpower it took him not to smirk at her shock was that of a God. He walked away without another word to grab his brother.

Ciro glanced over and his smile grew at the sight of Gabriel. He excused himself from the group meeting Gabriel. He threw his arm around his brother's shoulder as they began to walk towards the great hall's entrance. "How was the reunion?"

"Tell you later," Gabriel answered. Ciro lifted his brows slightly. "Lorcán wants to meet Noah and Theo for breakfast."

"Well, then we'll talk over a pint down in town." Ciro patted Gabriel on the chest as he headed in, finding Theo and Noah in awe of the massive size of the hall. He snuck up behind the two wrapping an arm around each boy. "What do you two think of the place?"

"It's..."

"It's fine." Noah shrugged off his arm and walked to find a seat.

"What was that about?" Ciro's smile faded.

Theo shook his head and shrugged. "Don't know. We met this girl in one of the gardens. I heard them yelling and he ran off."

"Don't tell me." Right about that time Melosa walked in. Ciro pinched the bridge of his nose. "Was that her?

"Uh yeah."

"That bitch is a pain in my ass," Ciro huffed out. His eyes narrowed watching her every step as she sat across from Noah. "If she thinks..."

Theo placed a hand on Ciro's chest. "Before you go over there and chase her off. What if I had a little fun?"

A glimmer of mischief flashed in Ciro's eyes. His gaze moved from the table to Theo. "What do you have in mind?"

~~~*~~~

Theo sat down beside Melosa, sulking in her seat, while Ciro took the empty seat next to Noah. Melosa looked absolutely disgusted by Ciro's presence, which made him grin even more than he already was.

"Good morning, Melosa." Ciro shot her that heart-stopping smile. "Did you make the trip down from your tower to join me for breakfast?"

She scoffed and rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. He winked at Theo who nodded.

He turned to Melosa casually. "So Ciro was going to take us into the city later today. Thought you'd like to go."

"I'd rather not get a tour of the city whore houses, thank you." She plastered a smile on her face

Ciro held a hand to his chest as if he was hurt by what she said. "Way to ruin the surprise. Gods, you were always the one to suck the fun out of things."

Gabriel suppressed a snort and turned away quickly from everyone. Noah sat there confused as to what was happening. He caught Theo's attention and saw the smile playing on the corner of his lips.

Melosa narrowed her eyes at Ciro. "Do you ever have an intellectual thought run through your mind, or is your brain just controlled by your dick?"

A figure approached the table before Ciro could retort. They all turned to the rather tall individual and were met by Lorcán. "Don't stop the conversation because I've arrived. This is a rather intriguing back and forth." He sat down on the other side of Theo. "Pardon my intrusion." He turned to Theo and Noah. "I'm assuming you both are the two Gabriel has helped cross my borders."

"Theo, Noah, this is Lorcán." Ciro introduced.

Lorcán smiled. "Thank you for that Ciro. Now back to the previous question our dear Melosa had. Ciro, do you as she said think with your dick?"

It took all of Ciro's might not burst into a fit of laughter as he held Melosa's attention. "I would like to think that I've held a few intellectual conversations in my lifetime."

"Being a smart-ass doesn't count."

"Well, being a loud mouth bitch doesn't make you smart either. Just an annoyance that can't be ignored." Ciro looked like a proud father as he sat smugly. Noah folded his arms daring Melosa to say another word. She sank into her seat without another word.

Lorcán looked around at the others waiting for someone to add to the conversation. When no one did he snapped his fingers and the tables in the hall filled with a variety of food. "Sorry, I had a feeling the kitchen staff was becoming rather annoyed that breakfast was being delayed."

Everyone began filling their plates and chattering started around the group. Many of the staff members came and went, some sat for their meals or took a plate and rushed away.

"So, you two traveled all the way from Liadain was it?"

Theo swallowed a mouth full of eggs and took a sip of his drink. "Yeah. It's been quite the trip."

"I would assume so. With everything that's going on in the northern territory." Lorcán pointed out. "It's quite impressive that you made it out of Liadain given what's happened."

Noah looked up from his plate meeting the king's gaze. "What's happened?"

He nervously shuffled in his seat glancing at Ciro who was also waiting on the explanation. Lorcán sighed, "An attack was made by a small rebellion a few weeks ago. They were executed just three days ago."

The breakfast Noah had just swallowed was making its way back up. He knew in the back of his mind who would've joined in on the attack. However, the denial grew in the pit of his stomach and his heart beat loudly in his ears. Gabriel leaned over in concern but Noah wasn't able to speak.

"Did I misspeak?" Lorcán appeared concerned for Noah's well-being as he glanced at Theo.

He shook his head. Quietly he answered, "There's a good chance that we knew who was a part of the attack." Lorcán peered over to Noah sadness in his eyes.

"Why don't we get you to a private room." Noah nodded and stood shakily with the help of Gabriel. Lorcán motioned for a maid to come over as he stood as well.

"They had what was coming for them if they thought they'd actually change anything going on." Everyone froze and their attention was now directed to Melosa who sat still sulking. She looked around and shrugged. "You can't feel pity for them."

Ciro stood and leaned over the table as far as he could without laying on the table. His eyes stirred with anger. "You say one more word and I will drag you out of this place faster than you can scream for help."

Melosa sat up straight and swallowed hard. No one dared to speak as the rage radiated off Ciro. She looked him dead in the eyes. "I will not be disrespected like this. Lorcán tells him he cannot talk to me like this." Gabriel raised an eyebrow at her demand. He turned to his brother seeing what was going to happen next but seemed to catch Melosa's attention. "You have something to say as well?"

"You don't want me to share what I think," he said coolly.

She rolled her eyes. "I doubt it was anything worth saying anyways."

"That's enough," Lorcán warned. He turned to Gabriel. "Why don't we move Noah to my office." Gabriel nodded.

"Are you seriously taking their side!" Melosa stood up. She glared at Ciro as he almost jumped across the table. "You just met these three!"

"Melosa..."

"No! Some orphan kids and their tour guide will not make me a fool." She turned to Ciro, bawling her fists by her side. "And I will not be insulted by your sorry ass."

Ciro let out a breath as he slammed the palm of his hand on the table. The sound echoed through the hall that demanded silence. "Firstly, you will not insult these boys or my brother in my presence. Secondly, you have no clue what they have gone through to be here." She opened her mouth to speak again but Ciro slammed his fist against the table again. "You have lived your entire life with a silver spoon shoved in your mouth. You have no fucking clue what has been happening outside these walls for years and clearly, you don't care to."

"And you do."

Gabriel leaped over Noah grabbing his brother as Ciro went for Melosa's neck. Chaos ensued as several maids and butlers went running and Lorcán and Gabriel pulled the two away from each other. Both Noah and Theo weaved out of the way as they watched from a distance.

"FUCKING BITCH!" Gabriel wrapped his arms around Ciro's waist, yanking him away. "Get off me!" He fought Gabriel but couldn't get out of the grasp.

Lorcán let Melosa go only for two guards to grab her. "Tell them to unhand me. When my father..."

"I will be sure to share your behavior with him." Lorcán frowned. "As for now, you are to be escorted to your room." The guards practically dragged her away as she yelled at anyone who would listen.

Lorcán turned to the four as he composed himself. "My deepest apologies to you. Gabriel, I think you and Ciro should head out for a while." Gabriel nodded as he began trying to pull Ciro along. "Ciro, we'll deal with this later and go cool off." There was a warning in Lorcán's voice that pulled Ciro back.

"What about my brother?" Theo asked.

"I think some tea in the gardens will do us all some good." He smiled.