Dorian turned slowly, the blade still tipped at his neck not moving as he turned, and he watched as the stern expression dropped from Bael's handsome face.
"I need to see Bala," Dorian demanded. "Unless you'd like to tell me where my sister is."
Bael's chin lifted, and he removed his threat, taking a step back. "Be glad it was me on patrol this morning, Prince," he said. "The rest of them would have seen your fire and thought you your brother."
Dorian seized Bael's neck, and he threw him into the tree before he realized he was doing it. The world vibrated, but he didn't release the Venari.
"I am not my brother," he seethed.
Bael beat on Dorian's hand, struggling for breath. Until Dorian threw him sideways, and Bael doubled over to gasp for breath.
Every Venari descended from the trees and surrounded them. Dorian glared, feeling his form rising. Navy fire trembling on his fingertips, he dared anyone else to come at him.
"So much for not combating them," Reverie scowled under her breath.
"Hey—“
Bala's voice rang in the air. She pushed through the crowd in a sprint, and Dorian rounded on her.
"About fucking time," Dorian spat.
Rage spread over her features, and she bounded forward. "Funny you say you're not your brother, yet look at you threatening my people because of whatever fear has gripped your core." She stepped straight up to him, obviously not caring that he was in his form. "You look just as he did the last time he was here," she warned, and Dorian began to shake.
"Release your form before I crush it.Now."
Dorian’s form receded as the thought of looking or being anything like his brother made his heart break. Bala glared up at him.
"If you ever walk into my kingdom with fire as you just did again, I may forget we're friends," she growled in his face. She glared past him, looking to Corbin and Reverie.
"Corbin," she acknowledged.
"Venari King," he returned.
Her gaze flickered over Reverie. "Who's this?"
Dorian stepped between her and Reverie. "Tell me where my sister is."
The words seemed to bring Bala down. She blinked and stepped back. "Everyone, back to your stations. The Fire Prince is contained with me. You'll not need to worry about him." She turned back to Dorian. "Get your shit and follow. Quietly."
Bala went to check on Bael as Dorian turned to Reverie and Corbin. He didn't speak, only giving them a nod, and he grasped the reins of his horse.
As they followed her, Dorian noted some Venari walking through her kingdom that he didn't recognize. Larger and almost savage looking. As though they'd been away from the sanctity of a kingdom and gone feral in their absence. His core churned inside him, an uneasiness settling in his bones and extremities. A few had black hoods up over their heads. Those men watched him closer than the others that Bala had commanded to go about their duties.
Hair pricked the back of his neck, and he glanced back to Corbin, who seemed to share his bewilderment.
Dorian didn't press it. He followed quietly behind Bala all the way to the edge of the kingdom before he could take the silence no longer.
"Is there a reason you're dodging my question?" he asked under his breath.
"We can speak once you've calmed yourself," she snapped. "I'm not talking to this Promised dick of a King. I want to speak to my friend. I want to speak with Dorian."
"And Dorian wants to know where his fucking sister is—“ he stopped and grabbed Bala's arm, whirling her back around. "Tell me why you're hiding this," he said. "Tell me why you've lied to me these past ten weeks. Tell me or I'll—“
Wind whipped. "Are you challenging me, Prince?" Bala shifted before him, eyes blazing into his as she dared him to come at her.
"Where is my sister?" he asked again.
"She's at the Umber."
