“Kashuvol had no idea what was happening.” Ehmet scrubbed his hand through his hair.
“Mum never made it to supper.”
“I know. I was far too old for it, but I brought her a slice of cake that night and slept in her bed.”
Nekash’s brows pulled together. “You never told me that.”
Ehmet shrugged. “Too old to be embarrassed by it anymore.”
“You shouldn’t have been then. She’s ourmother. He beat her.”
“I know.” He sighed. “But I was. You know how it is to be a boy of fourteen.”
“Do I ever. Still am, in some ways.”
The king chuckled wearily. That was certainly an astute self-observation.
Together, in a rare show of camaraderie sans needling, the brothers continued to recollect the darker parts of their upbringing in the palace. They rehashed the rage their father held toward all of them, servants and family alike. They recalled the man’s constant paranoia, and how their beloved mother wasn’t even permitted to travel without escorts of her husband’s choosing. They drained their glasses while remembering the way he beat her down, all in the name of love.
This time, Ehmet refilled their cups. Inevitably, they revisited their pact, reaffirming with drunken gusto that they wouldnever everbe anything like father. They wouldneverdo that to another person. Nekash might be a bit pushy, but never would heforcehis love, and neither would Ehmet.
The king took the opportunity to chastise the prince for being far too handsy with Lady Tilevir on the party’s first night.
“I didn’t realize you’d laid claim to her,” Nekash grumbled.
“Laid claim? Gods, man, we’re talking about a woman, not a piece of land.”
He rolled his eyes.
“I’m being quite serious, Nekash. You cannot treat people in such an objectifying manner. Not only is it morally reprehensible, you’re also the fucking prince. Act like the gentleman you’re meant to be, or I’ll force you in line.” Authority threaded his tone, a rare occurrence when addressing his brother.
“Understood.” A flash of contrition softened Nekash’s features, confirming Ehmet’s point landed.
“Good. Rest assured, I am not above punishing the prince.”
A cheeky gleam shimmered in the scoundrel’s eye. He pumped his brows. “Would you spank me, Ehmmy?”
It was Ehmmy’s turn to roll his eyes.
As their cathartic conversation drew to a close, the king found himself opening up to the prince about another issue: the note.
“She wants to meet tomorrow night, during your party. I’m not certain...” he trailed off into the rim of his glass.
Nekash smirked. “You go, that’s what you do. You can escape duringmybirthday celebration. Fates, even I can escape a masquerade ball with none the wiser.”
“Fine, I’ll meet with her.” Ehmet swigged the rest of his glass and slammed it down.
“You know you wanted to. You didn’t needmypermission.” The prince winked.
He frowned at his brother and wondered if, perhaps, he should have kept some details to himself.
Nekash sipped his liquor and reclined on the settee. “After you’ve come and riled up the masked ladies, you can depart for your rendezvous unimpeded. I will swoop in and happily pick up your scraps.” A glint of something mischievous shimmered in his brother’s eye.
Ehmet merely shook his head in disapproval.
nineteen
Hevva goes to a birthday party.
