Bathin made a rolling finger motion so his brother would hurry it up.
“You have a betrayer in your midst.”
Bathin rolled the finger again. “Get to the marrow. I have things to do.”
“Father wants you dead.”
“Still waiting for news.”
Goap shifted his stance, linking his fingers in front of his waist. “The king knows you’re here. He knows Xtelle is here. He knows Avnas is here. He’s coming. The Reed family won’t be enough to keep you safe. These hollow gods won’t be enough to keep you safe. He will tear this place apart with his bare hands.”
“Why tell me?”
Goap looked startled. “What?”
“The king’s wanted me dead for eons. Why send this message now?”
“I just told you: He’s coming for you.”
Bathin shrugged. “Maybe he is, and maybe he isn’t. But you’re here, and that’s interesting.”
Goap threw his hands up. “Fine! Don’t listen to me. You never have. But when you’re gone, there will only be one son in line for the throne.” He sneered and pointed at his own chest.
He held that pose, but as the seconds ticked by, his sneer turned into a frown and he straightened. “Is this still on? How do I turn off?” He patted his arms as if looking for a button. “I thought I put the switch—” His hand tapped his elbow, and he winked out and was gone.
“Ass,” Bathin grumbled.
“Okay,” I said. “Let’s take this somewhere more private and work out a plan. Bathin, I’m going to need you to tell me everything you know about your brother and your father’s resources. Xtelle, I want—”
“No,” Ryder said.
“You can—” I turned toward him and he wasn’t angry. He was smiling. It was soft and so familiar, I felt a sweet pressure building behind my breastbone.
“That can wait just a little while, don’t you think?” He reached out for me and took one of my hands.
“You have sand on your face,” I said.
“Yeah?” He brushed one side of his face. I pointed to the other, and he swiped his palm over it. “Better?”
“Yeah. Yes. Good. Me?”
“You look perfect.”
I smiled because I couldn’t not. “Are you trying to butter me up for something, Ryder Bailey?”
“Is it working?”
“Let’s hear all of it, and I’ll let you know.”
He squeezed my hand. Then, without looking away from me, he lowered down until he was kneeling, one knee down, one foot flat. “How’s it looking so far?”
“Good. Nice form. Great choice of slacks too. Thigh muscles are a nice touch.”
“Thanks. That’s why I picked them. Also for my butt. They make my butt look amazing.”
“Maybe I should be the judge of that.”
“Only you,” he said. “Delaney. I love you. You’re the only person in this world who I want to judge my butt.”
