To prove he was more than just another of the Promised line.
Over the last year, he'd wondered if he would be doomed to the same fate of Kings before him and he would inevitably fall into manipulation and one day burn or torture his sister. If it was something that would one day snap in him and he would not be able to stop it. And every day, he fought against those stories, desperate to be a greater person than all of them.
He wanted to earn the crown that was his birthright.
And his stomach knotted at accomplishing one step.
Someone clapped his shoulder, and for a moment, Dorian forgot he wasn't back at Magnice with Draven and Aydra standing in front of him.
He didn't realize he'd been unable to hold in his tears until he opened his eyes and the glisten shrouded his vision. Hagen stood in front of him, and one look at the High Elder's face told him he understood why Dorian was crying.
"Don't," he forced with a knowing smile, knowing whatever was about to come out of Hagen's mouth would send him over the edge.
Hagen smiled and clapped his cheek. “They would be proud of you," he told him.
Dorian groaned with the shake of his head, and his tears fell on the floor. "Fuck you, Hagen," he bantered, not even trying to keep the sobs away now.
But Hagen merely gave him another smile and then wrapped his arms around him as a brother would have.
Dorian almost collapsed, and not just because of his pain, but because between Hagen and Draven, he'd found the mentors he'd been searching for his entire life. A bond with another male to teach him and push him and show him what it meant to be a true leader of the people.
To teach him what it meant to be a leader who doesn't cower behind fire and a Council and sit back on a comfy throne.
To teach him how to be a King.
He knew he had a long way to go, but he was willing to put in the work if Hagen would show him how.
When Hagen pulled back, he patted Dorian's cheek, and Dorian nearly stumbled with the weight of how much pain he was in.
"Do you mind if I sit now?" Dorian managed.
Hagen's laugh bellowed over the talk of the temple. "How about the bath instead?" he asked him.
Dorian eyed him and sniffed back his tears. "You just want me to heat it for you."
"What?No.Why—Yeah, mate," Hagen admitted gruffly. "Yeah, that's definitely it."
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CORBIN AND HAGEN both helped Dorian down the dais and into the Temple bath. He wasn't the only one to sink into the great pool, though. Mons and Marius joined them, along with Corbin himself stripping down to settle in the water. Dorian used the little strength he had to bring the water to a nearing boil, then he sank against the bath wall.
The Blackhands had taunted Reverie in an attempt to get her to strip and join them, but she'd rolled her eyes and instead posted up between Dorian and Corbin on the edge to let her feet dangle in the pool instead of getting all the way in.
Dorian nearly fell asleep as he tuned the rest of them out. His eyes closed as he laid his head back and took in all that had just happened.
Despite the supposed victory, he knew it was only the first step in the long battle for the continued safety of his home and his crown. He knew they would be packing up in a week or so to travel to the Bryn—a three-day ride on horseback over rough and jagged terrain. To a place where it snowed half of the year and rained the other half.
Dorian shuddered at the thought of going back there. The last time he and Corbin had gone, he'd felt like his hair was standing on end the entire time. And now, with the thought that everyone in that town might be Infi, he dared to think what they would be walking into.
His thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of Reverie's hand in his hair, pushing his shaggy locks back and making goosebumps rise over his flesh. He didn't say anything to her, too fearful he might spook her. But what he did do was shift so that he could lean his head against her thigh, and she continued to toy in his soft locks.
He settled into the newfound feeling for a few blissful moments before opening his gaze and looking over to his Second, finding Corbin snickering at him. Hagen, Mons, and Marius were in their own conversation on the other side, not paying any attention to the three. Dorian splashed water at Corbin for mocking him.
Reverie flinched, a rare laugh emitting from her as she swatted at the pair. "You two are children," she mocked.
"Unfortunately, you're stuck with us," Corbin said as he settled his head back against the side.
Dorian glanced up at Reverie then, and the sight of her glistening gaze confused him. "What's wrong?" he asked. "Does the thought of you being jointed at our hips upset you that much?"
