“Brother!” Drago clasped his hand, pulling him into a hug.
Griffin didn’t want to return it, but he did anyway. He would keep up this façade, the one where he wasn’t aware of his brother’s involvementwith Anadil.
Griffin had just made his way up a ladder onto this ship, and part of him was already missing Violencia.
“It’s been a long time,” Griffin settled on, releasing his brother and stepping back. He examined the man, years apart had aged Griffin but Drago still looked just as young as the day they separated.
Except now there was a wild glint in his eye. One that left Griffin on edge.
“It has. You must forgive me.” Drago flourished his arms. “I had a country to lead, an army to grow.”
Griffin's attention flicked around the ship. The one he had last been on with his father. The crew were all masked and decked in tactical gear.
“There was a Cherished killed in Violencia, it was broadcast for even our countries to see. It caused an uproar in the Sacred Trinity. Did you hear about it?” Drago asked half-heartedly, but there was a serious undertone.
Griffin did not react to his brother’s probing. Understanding processed through him that Anadil was playing a very dangerous game. That his brother was testing the waters. Griffin raised his eyes to his brother’s.
“Just that it was the excuse needed to start the Redemption up for the citizens of Violencia.”
Drago bared his teeth in a falsified smile. “It did indeed.” His brow furrowed as he walked to the edge of the ship, his attention focused on the shore of Violencia as they slowly moved away.
Griffin moved slowly until he was beside him. On shore, there was a figure, but they were too far to make out who it was clearly.
“I found a wife in our time apart,” Drago admitted, his attention focused on the figure even as it turned into nothing more than an ant. “Well, we’re not married yet, but one day soon we will be. When the time is right.”
“Congratulations. Will she be back in Grypheem?” Griffin attempted to push the correct amount of excitement into his question.
Drago hummed, long and harsh. “Unfortunately, no. The High Priestess would never allow me to have a Cherished. I didn’t have much choice than to look outwards.”
Griffin stiffened.
“The people of Grypheem were in an uproar when our father died. They didn’t want me to take the crown. They deemed it should go to histrueson. The soul sent from above. Not anunnatural,” Drago scoffed.
“I don’t want to be king.”
Drago laughed heartily, but even still, his attention remained fixated in the direction of Violencia. Even as the shore went out of view completely. “I know, brother. It is why it was an easy choice to bring you home. We are brothers. You are a prince and you belong in Grypheem. If only Ana hadn’t killed her sister, she could have been by your side. It would have been perfect.” Drago shook his head, clasping a hand on Griffin’s shoulder before turning and marching away.
As if you weren’t aware of Ana’s plans. And yet you lie to me, even now.
Ana’s sister. Raven.
The woman he had never met or even spoken to.
The woman who haunted his nightmares, who blessed his wildest dreams.
She was the bane of his existence. The downfall of the Factions. The catalyst who set off a slew of events that led him to this very ship.
The one who could very well be dead.
Except Griffin was of the belief she was still alive and Julian had pressed that truth further into his mind.
Griffin made it his mission then and there, one day they would meet.
But when they did? He wasn’t sure if he would fuck her…
Or kill her.
Or both.
