Kael stayed on his knees with one hand stretched toward our son.
"Asher. Come here."
Asher stopped beyond his reach. The sword tip rested against the floor between them.
"I waited for my father on my birthday," he said. "I drew him a card."
Kael's hand shook. "I remember. I made a mistake."
"My father died when he put the Heir's Necklace on another boy. He died again when he let them take my bed."
Asher lifted his chin.
"You are Alpha Kael. Don't call yourself my father again."
Kael bent forward until his forehead touched the marble. The sound he made frightened several people in the first row.
A Royal Guard stepped in and drove a silver boot against Kael's side. Kael rolled away from Asher, and two more guards pulled him upright.
Asher returned the sword to its sheath.
"My moth
