Rilen flung his magic out to stop the crash of Bel’s face into the stone. Dorian whipped his head around and growled at Rilen.
“Oh, shut up. You know damn well that was too much!” Rilen snapped.
“Don’t interfere!” Bel roared and took off back to his brother.
Dorian threw his leg up and around and slammed it into Bel’s shoulder, dropping him to the ground. While the hit sounded painful, Bel threw his legs toward Dorian’s waist, wrapped around him, and tossed him away from him, impressively heaving him high and far.
Dorian regained his footing as Bel rushed him again.
Another flicker, flashing red and black, then gold and white.
What thehellwasthat?
But Dorian was clearly done with this. I watched as he raised his hands and grabbed his brother midstride, lifting him into the air and suspending him there.
“Ilati,Arramulutu,” Dorian called.
He held his hand out for me, Roran, and Rilen.
I walked over to where he was holding Bel just off the ground. I had the feeling the king could break free if he wanted.
Dorian growled at us, “Tell him.”
I glanced over at Dorian for a moment, then back to his brother. “Savion shot me in the leg. We went to steal his weapons, and he caught us. He killed Mistress Carolee before I could stop him.”
Roran took over the story. “When the decoy party returned with Carolee’s head and body and without Kimber, Dorian lost his mind, and my brother didn’t do much better.”
Rilen nodded. “I sent him away. Because we had different goals in mind. But sending my twin away was the wrong thing to do because I couldn’t stop Dorian from taking a horse and plowing through the Spine like a lovesick idiot.”
“We all wanted to,” Roran said, softly. “But it wasn’t wise. And Dorian proved that. Because Savion shot for the heart.”
I stared hard at Belshazzar. “We rode through the Chasm to the Stronghold. We were hunted, then attacked. When we found Dorian, he was nearly dead. Dangling upside down over Savion’s blood fountain. He didn’t have to be there. Aiko, Kane, Odom, and the rebels had already gotten me out.”
“To go roaring in, brother, is not the thing to do. I know you don’t know me anymore, and you don’t know our world anymore. But I am your brother, and I understand what it means to be in love. You have got to trust us when we say that we are working on this. Gwynnore will be found, and she will be brought back here safely.”
“Niniane doesn’t want her dead,” Aiko said softly. “She wantsyoudead for what Savion did toher.”
The silence hung in the room for a long moment before finally, Bel’s eyes connected with Dorian’s again. “Let me down, you great pompous ass, before I break your hold the hard way. I’ll go along with your plan.”
His feet touched the floor, and he snatched Dorian by the neck. “But if there is an iota of harm to a strand of hair on her head, I will string you up by your balls on the highest mountain in S’Kir.”
Roran picked at a fingernail. “That’s Mount Gershorn, out by One League Falls.”
“I know where it is!” Belshazzar growled.
“Just making sure,” he answered. “I have rope, too.”
Rilen and I just shook our heads.
* * *
Lady Stormbreaker,
I am saddened to ask your favor again. I had hoped that after yours, and the general’s display in the dining tent, there might be hope for me to find a willing vein. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to have persuaded anyone to my side. Even with the promise of mutual satisfaction, those I may call are not to be found.
At your discretion and convenience, my lady.
Aiko Elkthorne
