“What happened?” were the first words out of Verin’s mouth as he turned the key in the lock of Leander’s manacles, freeing him.
This was why he loved his brother, Leander mused, as he rubbed his raw wrists. Were it Venser, or worse, his father, the question would have been ‘what have you done?’
But Verin wanted to believe the best in him, and his language reflected that entirely.
“They took him. Mercenaries. That’s my best guess, paid for by Nevari Eleinium. Who else would be so efficient if not those hand-picked by royalty? They attacked us and took Jarryn.” Leander spoke quickly, urgently, and went on to explain in detail exactly what had happened.
Verin remained silent throughout his tale. When Leander had finished, Verin fell onto the sofa in a slumpand dragged a hand through his perfectly brushed locks of blond hair.
“Please, Verin. The only reason he left the safety of Saeren was me. This cannot be my legacy.”
When Verin spoke, without pausing, his voice was rough, harsh. “Pull yourself together, Leander, because I prioritise Prince Jarryn’s safety over whatever internal bullshit you have going on.”
It was clear, suddenly, that Verin hadn’t slept in days, and Leander was painfully aware that he was on a short fuse. His story had only added to the scion’s growing stress levels.
Leander had seen his brother angry and had felt that anger directed at him countless times over the past few months. He was, truth be told, frightened of this twin more than he was of the other, despite being significantly closer to Verin than he was to Venser.
So, instead arguing back, Leander simply nodded.
“We knew. About what you did,” Verin explained after a moment. “We could see your crime in your mind from first meeting you, and I knew what damage that might do if it got out. Venser has been shielding that small part of your mind from a distance ever since that first session with you.”
That… was unexpected.
Verin was silent for the longest time, staring his brother down.
On the periphery of his mind, Leander felt the gentle touch of Verin probing. He did his best to think thoughts of loyalty towards the exiled prince of Desanne, ratherthan his true feelings towards Jarryn. But he knew he had failed when he saw his brother’s eyes narrow.
“What have you done, Leo? You bedded Desanne’s crown prince?”
“It just… happened! But it’s not just that, he had me confessing my feelings. I admitted my love for him. But really all I do is take advantage of his kindness! I knew from the very start I didn’t deserve?—”
“Who really deserves anything?” Verin waved his hand dismissively at his brother’s crescendoing feelings which were threatening a full-blown cataclysm of emotion. “You might find it refreshing to disavow yourself of the mistaken notion that there’s some kind of cosmic reinforcement system for your actions.”
“Actually—”
“No, Leo. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people, and it doesn’t mean anything either way.”
But he knew he had failed when he saw his brother’s eyes narrow as he perused Leander’s thoughts. “It might surprise you to know that the eyes of Saeren never left you or the prince when you left the city.”
It didn’t surprise Leander. He indicated as such.
“I have been tasked with rescuing Prince Jarryn and returning him safely to Saeren. As the one ultimately responsible for this utter sham of a life the prince has been living, my plan had been to conscript you to join my mission.”
It was more than Leander could have hoped for, exactly what he wanted. He allowed a relieved smile to fall onto hislips, eternally grateful that the gods had granted him with such a brother.
“This is not a reward, Leander,” Verin continued. “Your manipulations and machinations are well known to the world. You whisper into the ears of commoners and kings alike, it transpires, and we mere mortals are innocents caught in the crossfire, here to deal with the fallout.”
Leander remained silent, colour rising in his cheeks as he grew more and more angry the more Verin spoke. He was glad they were in private—it had been a long time since he had had such a vitriolic dressing down by an equal.
“Your loyal followers might be able to turn a blind eye. Nine above, I doubt they even know what despicable things you whispered into their ears, or the ears of their rulers. But you forget that you are my brother. And I know you. I know your thoughts; I know what you did. I know why you were cast out.”
Leander’s eyes narrowed at that.
“You’re looking at me like I’m being unreasonable. Which means you’re an idiot, or you’re lying to yourself. Which is it?”
“Neither. It’s just taking a moment for me to process that you’re actually going to help me.”
“Oh make no mistake, Leo, I am not doing this for you. This is for Jarryn, for the king, and for every poor soul in Desanne and Vyrica who is suffering because of what you’re making Nevari do.” Verin paused, but he clearly wasn’t finished speaking. When he continued, it was with emotion fuelling his words and reminding Leander that thiswas about more than just a lovesick demigod trying to save his lover. “This is your mess and I am not fucking around when I say that I require you to clean it up. Prince Jarryn does not deserve the fate that awaits him in Desanne.”
