Cole grinned at the memories of a little brother who was born when Cole and Julian were twelve and ten years of age, respectively. As they grew, Cassian wanted to do everything with them, which greatly annoyed the boys who were becoming men.
“He used to be like that until we got older and that dynamic changed,” Cole said. “I do not remember when it became me and Papa against you and Cassian, but that’s when we found out just how cunning and ruthless Cassian was. I never told you this, but you were fortunate to have him as an ally.”
Julian was still smiling at the recollection of his little brother who was tough and fierce, even at a young age. “I know,” he said. “I miss those times very much.”
The smile faded from Cole’s face. “I know,” he said. “Actually, that is why I’ve come. I know you wanted to be alone with Papa for a while, but I just had a conversation with de Lohr that I think you should know about. It’s about Cass.”
Julian’s good humor fled. “God, what now?” he said. “We already know about his bastard son, whom I fully intend to see at some point.”
“I know. Me, too. We shall go together.”
“Then what else is there about Cass?”
“He’s alive.”
That wasn’t what Julian had expected to hear. In fact, he was expecting to hear anything but that, so the news was like a blow to his belly. He actually had to grip the side of the crypt to steady himself, setting the cups down so he wouldn’t drop them.
“Say that again,” he said as if not trusting his own ears. “What did you just say?”
Cole put a hand on his shoulder. “Cassian is alive,” he said. “De Lohr’s men have seen him on the tournament circuit and they have confirmed that he is alive and well, competing as a tournament knight who calls himself The Dark Conqueror.”
A hand flew to Julian’s mouth. “He’s trulyalive?” he hissed. “And they’re certain?”
“They are.”
Julian stared at him, shocked to the bone, but along with that shock came a question. It spewed from his lips before he could stop himself.
“But why?” he demanded. “Why is he on the tournament circuit and has not sent us word? Why has he let us think that he has been dead all these years?”
Cole was shaking his head even as his brother asked those terrible questions that he had asked himself. “I do not know,” he said. “Christopher does not know, but he is going to find out. He plans on attending a tournament to see for himself. He said he would send us word as soon as he had spoken to Cass. I would like to think our brother has a very good reason for doing what he’s done but, at the moment, I cannot think of one. All I can think of is Mother’s face when she thought Cass had been killed on his way to visit Papa’s grave after he was killed and I want to throttle Cassian. I really do.”
Julian did, too, and he wasn’t satisfied with that answer. “He’d better have a damned good reason for all of this,” he said. “Mayhap he was knocked on the head by outlaws and forgot who he was, or mayhap…”
“Mayhap what?”
Julian cast him a long look. “Mayhap he is one of William Marshal’s spies,” he said. “Mayhap The Marshal commanded him to feign his own death.”
Cole shook his head. “Nonsense.”
“Why?” Julian wanted to know. “You served William Marshal and his ring of spies. Mayhap the man got to Cass and forced him into service.”
Cole held up a hand to silence him. Although it was true that Cole had indeed served William Marshal in his spy ring for several years, Julian and Cassian had never been part of that. Still… he wouldn’t put it past William Marshal to sink his claws into the youngest de Velt son.
Perhaps Julian had something, at that.
“De Lohr will tell us when he sees Cass,” Cole said. “He asked that we remain out of the situation until he can settle it.”
Julian frowned. “Why should we stay out of it? Cassian isourbrother.”
“But he has a child with Brielle. It’s complicated, Julian. De Lohr will handle it far more diplomatically than we could.”
He had a point. “I suppose,” he said begrudgingly. “But… Cass is really alive? I simply cannot believe it.”
Cole couldn’t disagree with that. He was feeling a great deal of shock himself. “I know,” he said. “Meanwhile, I suggest we not tell Mother yet. I do not want to shock the woman, nor do I want to get her hopes up until we know something more.”
Julian knew that his brother was correct. “Agreed,” he said. “But, Cole?”
“Aye?”
