“He’s my family. He was my brother, and I love him, but I’ll never forgive him. I never blamed him, for his suspicions, for what he thought. How could I? If there roles were reversed, I’msure I’d think the same and he’d have been on the top of my list. I’d just hoped he’d understand.”
“It’s a hard thing to ask anyone to come to terms with.”
“Lyra loved my father like I loved my father. He was a parent to us both, and when he died…Lyra changed. He wasn’t thinking of Netyere, our land, our people, his only thought was of his own grief. And then, he saw opportunity in it.” Fyar sneered. “Tell me, do you think he would make a good king?”
“No,” Killian said simply. Firm in his belief. “You should name a new heir. Just in case.”
“No. No, I won’t be doing that. I’ll do what I must. If it comes to a fight, I have no intention of losing. Though I hope it doesn’t.” Fyar looked Killian dead in the eyes. Killian was surprised to see the emotion in them. “You’re lucky. You got your brother back. You got your family back. I’m jealous.”
Killian swallowed thickly. He didn’t know what to say to that. He’d been fucking up with Kade so much recently he’d forgotten how lucky he really was.
Inhaling deeply, Fyar bundled his robes in his arms. “Find Hokda, have him come to my quarters. I’ll take treatment there.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
KADE AND TAIGA had been listening to Porthos moan and groanall day. The golden haired apprentice was irritated that he still had to show up for work even when his brother was visiting.
The poor, poor prince actually had to do work? Appalling.
Kade rolled his eyes.
Porthos had asked for the days leading up to the welcome feast off, so he could spend a few extra days with Lyra. Hokda had told the apprentice that he could have the time—of course, he could have the time. Who was Hokda to come in-between brothers? In fact, he could have all the time in the world, because if he took those days, Porthos would never step foot in the infirmary again so long as Hokda lived.
So there they were, working on brewing the ridiculous amounts of vitality elixir that Hokda thought was necessary to have on hand. A pick-me-up for the lords and ladies for rejuvenation and energy after long days and nights of partying.
Taiga, the lucky bastard, had the easier job of brewing pain relief, for hangovers, which they wouldn’t need nearly as much of.
Truthfully, Kade was with Porthos on this. He had better things to be doing than slaving away over makingbarrelsofelixir. Things like plotting on how to corral Killi, corner him, and force him to acknowledge this thing between them.
Killi had been avoiding him, still spooked after shutting Kade down at the lake. The only times he’d seen Killi was from a distance. Across courtyards as Killi patrolled or escorted Fyar across the estate. They were always laughing when Kade saw them together. It was the most genuine and expressive he’d ever seen the king, and he hated it.
It made his blood boil that Fyar was so close to Killi when Kade hadn’t even been in the same room indays. Hadn’t heard his voice indays.
Kade knew that Killi was scared, he always had been, but his willful blindness was really starting to piss Kade off.
Did Killi really not see what Kade felt for him? He hadn’t exactly been subtle. He had followed Killi to Ingara with this as the endgame for fucks sake.
Kade was scared, too. Though more of losing what they could be rather than how their relationship would change. He’d always known this was where they were heading. Even when they were still trapped in Turell.
But more than being scared, Kade was tired. He was tired of being so close to what he wanted and never truly having it.
The weight of the love charm Kade had bought in the city was heavy in his pocket. It felt a bit stupid, but he would take all the help he could get.
Knowing Killi, and how stubborn he was, Kade thought he’d have to set a trap, line up all the pieces and have Killi walk into it. It was the only way. Killi would never make the move himself, so it was up to Kade.
Because of course it was.
The day at the lake had been perfect, one of the happiest days he’d ever had. He’d had everything he’d ever wanted: Killi’s undivided attention. Nothing to come between them. No work. No responsibilities. No kings. So he’d thought it was the right time, quiet and romantic and nice and Killi hadruined it.
It had stung, the way Killi shut Kade down without even listening.
But Kade was patient. He’d already waited over a century.
What was a few more days in comparison?
“This is cruel and unusual punishment,” Porthos lamented, banging his head down on his forearms. The herbs and snake venom tossed to the side. “Hokda can’t do this to us.”
They were halfway through their batch for the day. It was no time for Porthos to startslacking.
