“How did you know we were here?” Draylon demanded. If May had seen them, others might have too.
Yarif gave a watery chuckle. “She knows everything.”
“One of my scullery maids saw you in the stables,” May replied. “Don’t worry. She’s been sworn to secrecy, especially as she should have been working instead of meeting with her lover. Why are you sneaking into your own castle?”
“Is Prince Avestan here?” Draylon asked. “I need to see him.”
“Yes.” May beamed. “Anything for you. You brought back our prince… king… king consort.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “Whatever.” After smoothing her clothing free of hug wrinkles, she said, “Wait here,” and slipped out into the hallway.
Vihaan chuckled. “Bit of a force of nature, isn’t she?”
“That she is.” Yarif stared at the closed door.
Draylon longed to take Yarif into his arms but now wasn’t the time. First, to focus on making things right. After speaking with Avestan, Draylon would approach and speak with the emperor directly. If reasoning failed, and it probably would due to sheer arrogance, they’d increase the pressure.
Or Vihaan’s men would lead the combined forces to the castle gates if the emperor arrested Draylon for defiance.
May returned, head high like she owned the castle. Probably for the best. People might question her sneaking around but not acting like the lady of the manor. “Your brother is secluded in the office you claimed for your own, Your… Draylon.” She gave Draylon a quick curtsey.
After all she’d done for him, May could call Draylon whatever she liked. “Thank you, May. Does he know why he’s there?”
“He’s been here a few weeks and knows to do what I tell him to.”
Yeah. Avestan might be emperor-in-training, but he’d sense enough to listen to Esme, May’s counterpart back home.
“Come with me.” Instead of leading them through the passageway, May stepped into the hall, taking Draylon, Vihaan, and Yarif down the narrow servants’ stairs.
At the door to the office, she curtseyed again.
Draylon murmured, “Could you take Commander Vihaan to the kitchens? He has questions to ask.” If anyone had answers, May would.
“Oh! A commander. I’m starting to like those.” May tucked her hand into the crook of Vihaan's elbow. “Shall we?”
Vihaan made eye contact with Draylon. “I’ll also see what’s became of our decoys.”
Draylon nodded, watched them leave, then asked the same question of Yarif. “Shall we?”
Yarif nodded, flashing a brief smile.
Draylon tapped on the office door, then entered.
Avestan glanced up from his chair by the roaring fire, confusion giving way to a grin as he bounded from the chair. Hard to miss his black armband in keeping with the black banner flown on the castle gates.
“Brother! The barbarians let you live.” Avestan’s smile fell. “I truly am sorry about your consort.” Then he noticed Yarif. “Brother!” he cried again, grasping them both in hugs. “I can’t believe it! You’re alive!”
“We need to talk, then corner the emp… Father.” Until Draylon explained his reasons for distancing himself from their sire, he must pretend nothing had changed.
“Of course.” Avestan returned to his chair while Draylon shed his cloak and gloves, tossing them onto the desk. He settled Yarif first, then poured them each a glass of wine from a decanter on the center table.
Only then did Draylon fight down enough nerves to sit. He faced Avestan. “From my wedding until now, what has transpired in my absence?”
Avestan mused, “Let’s see. Father told me your consort had been kidnapped by Delletinian soldiers, and he sent you to get him back, accompanied by Commander Illa, Captain Rufe, and a contingent of soldiers.” He paused, taking in Draylon and Yarif’s haggard appearances without comment. “I didn’t quite believe him then, and I believe him even less now.
“A few days later, he told us Yarif had been killed, his body left bloody in the mountains of Delletina. The city has been in mourning. The Renvallians are also quite angry, demanding Father take action against Delletina.”
Draylon nodded to Avestan’s black armband. “You’re in mourning too, I see.”
Avestan nodded. “Even though I didn’t know him well, you took Yarif DiRici as your consort, your husband, so my brother. Of course I mourned him.”
