Bellamy clutches it without drinking. “Who are you? How did you find me? Were you looking for me? How’s Julien? How’s everyone in Silaise? Do they know that I’m here?”
“Let me try to answer those one at a time,” the stranger says.
“Sorry.” Bellamy rubs his face. “I just didn’t expect to meet anyone from Silaise here. It’s been… It’s been a long journey.”
“I believe you,” the stranger says quietly. “My name is Whisper, and I work for Prince Julien.”
Bellamy has too many other questions in mind to wonder about the peculiar name. “How is he? And Audric, if you know? And Mother and Claude…”
“Your brothers are both in Greenhaven. They’re fine, though they’re worried sick for you.” Whisper looks a little haunted. “I haven’t met Her Majesty or Lady Claude, but by all accounts, they’re well—though also worried sick. You’re very loved, Your Highness.”
A lump settles in Bellamy’s throat. “I know.”
Whisper continues. “The queen negotiated for your oathguards’ return to Silaise, and Captain Gregoire informed your family you were missing prior to their capture. Since I have certain connections to Draskora, Prince Julien tasked me with finding you. My sources helped me locate you and your traveling companion.”
“My traveling companion,” Bellamy repeats, his desperate questions halted. He’s unprepared for his two lives to collide like this. Him and Rakos, against him and everyone else he’s ever loved. Adventure and home. They don’t fit well together.
“You do know who that is, right?” Whisper asks, and Bellamy nods. “Does he know who you are?”
Bellamy shakes his head.
“Good.” Whisper sips from his own tankard. “Your family will be relieved to have you safely back. I can get you across the border in a week.”
Bellamy’s grip tightens on his tankard.
Relief. That’s what he should be feeling now. A quick return to familiar forests and his family’s protection. Before the bloodmasque, Bellamy would have agreed without thinking. Back when he was desperate for an escape route.
Now, though, resistance burns in his heart. He doesn’t need an escape route. He’ll return to Silaise in triumph, on his own terms.
Shoulders tense beneath Rakos’s wyrmskin coat, Bellamy says, “Thank you, but I’ll have to decline.”
“I understand your reservations about me,” Whisper says.
“No, I believe you.” Bellamy knows that stupid childhood story could only have come from Julien. “I just can’t go with you.”
Whisper doesn’t reply or question. Simply waits. It’s hard to believe such a stoic young man gets along well with Julien, who can be aggravating to work for.
“I promised to help Rakos with something,” Bellamy says. “I can’t return to Silaise until I fulfill that promise.”
“What are you helping him with?” When Bellamy doesn’t answer, Whisper inhales sharply. “You’re sleeping with him.”
Bellamy refuses to be ashamed. “Yes.”
Professional posture fracturing, Whisper slumps back in his chair and covers his eyes. “This is so far beyond my paygrade. Are you certain he doesn’t know who you are?”
“I’m certain,” Bellamy says.
“Good.” Whisper sighs. “Well, you have better taste in men than your brother, though that’s not saying much.”
Bellamy feels obliged to defend his brother’s paramours to an extent. “Hey, Emile Pellerin isn’t that bad.”
Whisper chokes, covering his mouth until the coughing fit passes. A slight flush colors his face. “I wasn’t talking about Lord Emile. But never mind that.” He frowns at Bellamy. “As your brother’s—servant, I’m obligated to persuade you. You’re set on this, though, aren’t you?”
Bellamy sips from his mead. “Julien is soft-hearted. Deep down, very secretly soft-hearted. He won’t punish you for my pigheadedness.”
“I’m not worried about that.” Whisper fiddles with a bracelet. “His Highness is a good man.”
“He is.” Bellamy’s surprised to hear it. Not many people really appreciate Julien. But Bellamy has other things to worry about right now. What resources and connections does Whisper have, and how can Bellamy use them?
