“It’s about the handfast.”
Viktor stilled, brow furrowing.
“Did Amerei send you?”
“No.”
Evander shook his head, rubbing his palms against his thighs.
Viktor set down his pen. He knew that look—the painful stare of a man surrendering what he once held dear. He nodded once—brother to brother—and Evander began.
“I’ve… known Amerei a long time. Since we were twelve.”
Viktor said nothing, just waited.
“When we were fifteen,” Evander went on, “I asked the queen to make me her man-at-arms.” A humorless laugh escaped him. “And she said yes. I couldn’t believe it. After that, I went everywhere with her—every visit to this house, to Fort Sevrak, to Irongate. I never left her side.”
He paused, voice softening.
“When she can’t sleep, she reads. Never finishes her tea—always lets it go cold.” His mouth curved despite himself. “Sometimes she sings. Not loudly. Just under her breath, when she thinks no one hears. It’s… beautiful.”
Viktor smiled faintly.
Evander swallowed.
“Every year, on the day her mother died, she walks to the sea alone. Just sits there for hours, talking to her like she’s still listening.”
His shoulders lifted in a helpless shrug.
“I just… thought you should know.”
The ink beside Evander’s name blurred as Viktor blinked hard. He looked up, voice low but steady.
“Thank you. For standing by her. For loving her in the ways I couldn’t. You’re the brother she never had—and nothing will change that.”
Evander exhaled, half-laugh, half-relief. Viktor tapped the codex.
“Your name’s here now. We live or die together. What you’ve given her, I’ll carry.”
A smile ghosted across Evander’s face. He stood, clasping Viktor’s arm.
“Then don’t you dare hurt her.”
Viktor’s grin was gruff but warm.
“Do you threaten a High-Captain?”
“Yes,” Evander said flatly.
Viktor pulled him into a quick, rough hug.
“We’ve come a long way since you jumped me at Hythe’s Gap.”
Evander snorted.
“I should’ve known she was going to bring you home. Like all the other stray animals she snuck into the castle.”
“Get out of here, Lieutenant,” Viktor laughed, shoving him toward the door.
