Chapter Thirty-Nine
“So. You are the disgraced demigod.” Desanne’s king, Nevari Eleinium circled his brother’s property in a predatory fashion. “Further dishonoured and now my brother’s slave. I didn’t think Jarryn was so morally corrupt as to take a talking, thinking creature and remove his liberties. A few months in Saeren has certainly changed him.”
“He saved me, protected me from others. We left Saeren so that he could free me.”
The tent, though hastily put together, was adorned with fine fabrics suited to the arid landscape of Eamore. The floor was covered in animal pelts—wolf, tiger, bear, you name it… it was probably there beneath their feet. Sunlight shone through slits in the canvas, which was cream and bright, giving Leander the perfect view to examine the king.
Nevari was Jarryn made younger. With only a few years between them, they were so alike in voice and appearancethat a casual observer might mistake one for the other. Leander, of course, was not a casual observer, but he appreciated Nevari’s refined good looks for what they were, even if he despised the man for what he had seemingly become.
He supposed he needed to take credit for the man before him… or the blame.
“Did he, now?” Nevari clicked his tongue and came to stand in front of Leander again. They were of a similar height, but that did not stop Nevari’s imposing presence from filling the tent. In the same way Jarryn was able to command a space with just a look, Nevari was similarly blessed. Leander was more than a little intimidated.
“Why else would he leave Saeren’s sanctuary?”
“Well, with the rabble he was with, it certainly wasn’t to claim my throne. I’m told they lasted minutes against my hired swords. A valiant attempt at resisting, I’m sure. But futile,” Nevari smiled. “Just like this. Tell me, are you alone?”
“Yes.”
Nevari scrutinised him and then laughed. “You know… for the God of Lies, you’re not very good at telling them. I canfeelthe hope bubbling in your heart. No one who walks into the enemy camp alone is that confident, unless they have allies.”
Leander inhaled. For all his planning, he had forgotten that others had use of Aesthesia.
Nevari smiled. “Your half-brothers, I think. Have they accompanied you? Yes, they’re out there, powerful enough to block me. It must be them. And how many others? I would imagine they aren’t far, lest they risk the wrath ofLeía for having her favourite son murdered in some ill-conceived attempt at a rescue.”
Leander’s eye barely even twitched at being referred to as thefavourite son. It was so far from the truth, his domain would be thriving.
Snapping his fingers, Nevari summoned one of his men and ordered him to bring his prisoner to the tent. “And send out scouts. The Talius brothers are within range. Aesthesics won’t sense them, but they might guard against Venser’s power. Have the… ah… two brother conspirators brought to me, alive and unharmed. Kill any others.”
The soldier saluted and left.
Minutes later, two soldiers returned with Jarryn, hands bound behind his back.
Leander quickly cast his eyes over his master, a cursory glance to check for obvious injuries. Jarryn was not limping, nor favouring a particular side. There were no bruises on his visible skin. His hair wasn’t even ruffled. They might as well have been in King Caisa’s court.
But they weren’t. Nevari’s presence was suffocating.
“Are you okay?” Leander asked.
“Of course he’s okay. Look at him.” Nevari took a moment to dismiss his guards, assured that his two guests were not going anywhere, not when they were deep within the campsite and his men covered every path and every exit.
Leander scowled. “Did you cut out his tongue? Jarryn can speak for himself.”
Nevari smiled and waved a hand in Jarryn’s direction.
“I’m fine, Leander. I’ve not been harmed.”
In Jarryn’s expression, Leander could see anger. A furythat Leander had ignored Jarryn’s command to evade capture, and he knew that look promised repercussions for his—in Jarryn’s eyes—disobedience and foolish actions in trying to rescue him.
What had he expected, though? That Leander would return to court life in Saeren? Even if that were possible, he knew in his heart that his life would be meaningless without Jarryn in it. It wasn’t a thing that could be articulated, his feelings for Jarryn. It was just there. Like the existence of the moons.
“Let him go, Nevari. He is not the one you want,” Jarryn murmured.
“Let us both go,” Leander countered with an air of confidence that he didn’t feel.
Nevari laughed. “This one is loyal past the point of sense. Well done, Jarryn. You have caught a good one.”
“Nevari, please, you know this isn’t you?—”
