Rhys nodded, looking to Christopher at that point because he knew more about Addax and Essien’s background than Rhys did. But Christopher was busy pouring two measures of wine, handing them to the al-Kort brothers.
“Drink that,” he commanded softly.
Essien downed his without question, while Addax was a little slower. He lifted the cup to his lips but paused before drinking.
“Why must we drink this?” he asked.
Christopher motioned to it without answering and Addax reluctantly knocked it back. It was strong stuff and fire coursed down their throats, but it was a bracing jolt. Only when the cups were set aside did Christopher continue.
“Addax, I truly do not mean to draw this out, but I want you prepared,” he said. “You should be aware that the name of his neighbor’s wife is Adanya. Isn’t that your sister’s name?”
Essien’s features were full of shock as Addax simply stared at Christopher with no visible reaction. At least, not yet. It took several long moments for the question to sink in.
“Aye,” he finally said. “She was my younger sister.”
“And you have no knowledge of what happened to her?”
“Nay,” Addax said. “She was with my mother when we were separated. She was no older than my youngest child, who has not yet seen two years.”
Christopher went to them both, gripping Essien’s arm with a big hand while laying his other hand on Addax’s shoulder. It was a reassuring, fatherly gesture. When he spoke to them, it was quiet and gentle.
There was no easy way to tell them what he had to.
“Lads,” he finally said, “I think we have something of a miracle because Adanya came to France with her parents. Evidently, her mother’s father was the ruler of Alexandria, but when he was deposed, Adanya married Rhys’ neighbor and the entire family fled to France. Rhys only knew Adanya’s mother’s name—he did not know her father’s name—so he returned to France after the tournament last year, at my request, and sought them out. He told Adanya and her mother and father about you two, the Kitaran princes, and it seems that they know you.Lads, we found your mother and father, hiding in plain sight in France.”
With that, he nodded to Rhys, who quickly left the tent. As Addax stood there, dumbfounded, Essien pulled away. He wandered over to a corner of the tent, overwhelmed and bewildered. His hands were on his mouth, on his forehead, in his hair, and back again. His agitation and confusion were evident.
“That can’t be true,” Essien said. “It’snottrue. Our father died. He died defending his legacy.”
Addax had his hand over his mouth as if to hold back the cry of disbelief. “My God,” he breathed. “And you know this for certain?”
Christopher nodded. “Your father is called theKaara Ejadar,” he said gently. “The Dragon King.”
“Did he tell you that?”
“Adanya did. And so did you.”
That made Addax suck in his breath. He was trying so desperately to keep his composure, but it was slowly slipping away. “Oh, God,” he finally said. “Never… I never dared to hope. I never dared to even think that my father could have escaped the carnage. We left him at Lankara. That is where he made his stand. God in heaven, are you telling me that he actuallysurvived?”
Christopher could see how shaken he was. How shaken they both were. He still had his hand on Addax’s shoulder. “Aye,” he said hoarsely. “That is exactly what I am telling you. King Amare survived the onslaught of his brother, Prince Ekon. As he told me, he managed to escape by sea and make his way to Egypt, where he knew his wife would be, if she had survived. And she had.”
Addax had to turn away. Actually, he staggered away, heading to where Essien was standing. He put both hands onhis brother’s shoulders, steadying himself, steadying Essien. His head was swimming with the news.
“Jesus,” he finally said. “I’ve never fainted in my life, but at this moment, I feel as if I’m close to it. I do not understand how any of this is possible.Howis it possible?”
“Be strong, my son,” came a voice from the tent flap. “In the face of whatever this life will bring you, be strong, be honest, and be loyal to those you love. You promised me that you would. Now, I find you a great man in a land full of people who love you. You have both made me so very proud.”
Addax and Essien whirled to the sound of the voice only to be confronted by a vision they only believed they would see again when they entered heaven’s gates. If there had been any doubt in their mind that their father had actually survived, it was dashed to bits by the sight in the tent opening.
A vision, larger than life.
Amare, still as tall and strong, but with hair that was quite gray, was standing there, looking at his sons as if beholding a vision of angels. There were no words for the love radiating from his eyes, from the pride and the joy that was bursting forth from his very manner. Absolute elation was in everything about him.
He’d found his boys.
He was as surprised as they were.
Addax could see the gladness in his father’s expression. He tried to open his mouth to respond, but nothing came out. He blinked and tears streamed down his cheeks.
