“How do you know?”
“Because you’re a King. And I trust you.”
Words that meant more to Dorian than any had before.
But even with Draven’s confidence, Dorian couldn’t stop himself from saying what he said next.
“Don’t go,” he whispered one last time. “Please.”
Draven didn’t speak. The deafening silence rang in Dorian’s ears. A silence he wanted to run from and never hear again. One look at the tear trickling down Draven’s cheek, and he knew there was no talking him out of his plan.
He wanted to be with Aydra too much. He would not run from this or bring another war to his people. A true King, but broken and raging. Vengeful and in need of fulfilling his promises. He would do anything for her, even in death.
So Dorian decided on his final plea.
“I could help.” The words were so broken, he wasn’t sure Draven had heard him. He cleared his throat as Draven’s bold green eyes met his. “I could stay, and I could help. I have fire as every Promised King has had. I should be helping you. It was my brother that condemned her. I—”
“He is not your family,” Draven snapped, and the way he said it stilled Dorian’s chest. Rage burned in Draven’s gaze. “Family doesn’t do what that bastard did. Family doesn’t condemn someone they claim to love because of jealousy and fear. That is not what love is.”
A great, forceful exhale left the Venari King, apparent he was trying to calm himself. His hand unclenched from around the horn, color returning to his whitened knuckles as he collected himself, and he stepped up to Dorian.
A solitary tear fell down Dorian’s cheek when Draven clapped his shoulder.
“Help me by making sure this treason ends with you,” Draven said. “You’re already a better King than the bastards before you. Their fate is not yours, Prince. Keep fighting. Keep doing the work. You can be—you are better. Your sister raised you to pull yourself out of their shadows. They’re not meant for you.”
Dorian choked on a sob he was desperately trying to stifle. Trying to stand firm before the greatest man and mentor he’d ever known. He forced his knees to lock and pulled his shoulders back.
Draven cupped his cheek and gave him a half-smile. “Don’t let Hagen give you a hard time when you go to Dahrkenhill. Tell him the truth. What you have done for your family and what you will do. Listen to every bit of knowledge he can give you. He will watch out for you.”
“Why would he do that?” Dorian asked.
“Because you’re family,” Draven said. “You’re my family.”
Dorian barely reached the landing before collapsing into a heap, unable to control the screams and cries involuntarily escaping him. Alone and scared. Unsure of everything and what he was supposed to do next.
Or how he was supposed to do it.
Corbin grabbed him from the stairwell and helped him to his and Nyssa’s rooms so he could pack before the kingdom fell into chaos.
But Dorian couldn’t stop shaking, to the point that Corbin took his arms and held him a moment, allowing Dorian to break in his embrace before instructing him to sit while Corbin packed bags for both Dorian and Nyssa. By the time the pair arrived below the Belwark Temple, Dorian had no more tears left, and a numbing rage had settled into his core.
Nyssa raced to him upon their arrival. Lex stood at the door, fully dressed in her battle armor. Her gaze searched the skies, and Dorian knew she was looking for any sign of the dragons.
“We have to go,” Dorian said, his voice stronger than it had been with Draven.
Lex straightened. “What’s your plan?”
“This Temple could be barricaded beneath rubble when the dragons arrive. I do not wish to die alongside these traitors,” he said as he glared around the space. “We go to the beach and wait it out.”
People were praying at the altar inside. Dorian didn’t bother telling them to leave or warning them to hide before grabbing Nyssa’s hand and pulling her with him.
Wind whipped over their heads as they reached the bottom of the stairs. The four flinched and looked to the night sky.
Silence chilled the streets.
Eeriesilence.
Silence so nauseating and oppressive, Dorian’s heartbeat grew to a ringing in his ears.
