Kade’s eyebrows flew up his forehead. That was…wow. He wasn’t used to anyone being so flippant and open about their feelings regarding Fyar. It was refreshing, and damning.
In any other situation, Kade would’ve been inclined to agree with that sentiment.
In any other situation.
“Lyra,” Porthos hissed, slapping a hand against his brother’s chest in warning.
“What?” Lyra spit defensively, but tensed when he seemed to remember who he was talking to. He smiled warily, then shrugged helplessly, but Kade had the distinct notion that Lyra was analyzing his reaction.
So Kade threw him a bone to get him off the scent. He whistled, long and low. “You must be close to dare talk about him like that.”
It worked. Lyra smiled, relaxing again. “Like brothers.” He chuckled at the frown on the Porthos’ face. “Don’t be sad, little brother, it’s not your fault that Fyar never took to you. You justwaited too long to be born, is all. It’s not personal.”
Kade’s blood ran cold. “Never took to him?”
Lyra shook his head and laughed, slapping his palm to his knee, like the idea was genuinely hilarious to him. “Fyar and I were on campaign when Porthos was born, and by the time we got back… Well, let’s just say Fyar had moreimportantthings to focus on other than his annoying baby cousin.”
“Really?” breathed Kade, then turned accusing eyes on Porthos. “Strange. I’d heard the opposite. You told me you and Fyar are close.”
Lyra didn’t flinch, but his smile tightened. As did his grip on his brother's shoulder.
Porthos’ face spasmed, knowing exactly the moment that Kade was speaking of. That day in Hokda’s office. He’d been caught.
Trying to salvage the situation, Lyra clapped his hands and stood. “Wishful thinking, I guess. We should get moving, no? We’re wasting daylight.”
Porthos and Kade stayed where they were, facing off.
It looked like Kade would get his conversation after all.
It wasn’t until hours later—hours spent traipsing though the forest on foot while the hunters read the tracks of the forest, snapped branches and animal prints in the mud or whatever they were looking for—that Porthos dropped back to where Kade made up the rear of the party.
The four hunters at the forefront, while six guards fanned out behind them in formation, following at a distance. Kade—and now Porthos—took up the rear.
They had chosen to leave the horses safely back at camp witha couple guards to watch over them. The prey they were going for wouldn’t run from a fight, but would instead turn and face the hunters head on. The horses would be a liability. Or so the lords had said.
Kade had spent the entire time, glaring daggers into the back of Porthos’ skull. Willing him to turn around so Kade could punch him in the face.
“How are you holding up?” Was the first thing out of Porthos’ mouth.
Kade sniffed. “Great. Wonderful. Never been better.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Don’t do what?” Kade stopped and turned to face Porthos. “I’ve been trying to talk to you fordaysand you’ve brushed me off every time. And now you want to talk? Why? Because Iknow?”
“You don’t know anything, Kade. Whatever it is youthinkyou know—”
“Don’t,” Kade cut in, “Treat me like I’m stupid.” His face twisted, cracked open, his emotions clear on his face. “What have you done, Porthos? What have you dragged me into?”
Porthos had the grace to look guilty. “I never meant for this. I never meant to involve you.”
“Youusedme. They’ll kill me for this.You’vekilled me for this.”
“By the time they’ve figured it out it’ll be too late.”
“You can’t be that stupid. Anafei. Porthos, they’vealreadyfigured it out. And if they haven’t traced it back to me—to you—yet, they’re close.”
That threw him. “You’ll be protected,” promised Porthos. He stepped closer, his hands outreached, begging for Kade’sunderstanding. “I’ll protect you. Don’t you understand? You’ll be honored for your help in this.”
