“You fucking idiot, where the fuck have you been?” Julien demands. “Are you okay? Are you hurt? You’re the worst little brother in the world. My least favorite little brother ever. What were you thinking? What were you—”
Pure joy washes over Bellamy. He’s safe. He’s home, with his brothers, his people, his—
“Rakos Tem.” Audric’s voice rings through the courtyard. “If you move, you’re dead.”
?
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Rakos
Just a tiny bit of vengeance?Sarka asks hopefully.
Rakos ignores her and remains motionless as directed. He can dispel magic, but not the dozens of crossbow bolts pointing directly at his heart. “Long time no see, Your Highness. I’m here to drop someone off.”
Prince Julien shoves Bell behind him in a protective gesture Rakos finds very relatable. At least, Rakos assumes this younger, louder version of Audric is Julien. They share the same dark hair, and the same innate confidence Rakos has noticed more and more in Bell over the past few weeks. The imperious set of Julien’s jaw is certainly familiar when he demands, “And what exactly was Bellamy doing in your company?”
“You don’t want to know,” Rakos answers before he can think better of it.
The air itself shivers, tense with magic, as Julien strides forward. “If you hurt one hair on his head…”
Audric gestures, and a sinuous root rises from the ground. Rakos braces himself to dispel the magic, but the root whips around to restrain Julien by the ankle instead.
“Audric, what the fuck?” Julien protests, staggering against the restraint.
Unperturbed by the looming dragon, Audric stops five feet from Rakos. “Thank you for returning Bellamy, Captain. I look forward to a detailed explanation from both of you.”
“Not sure I look forward to providing one, Your Highness,” Rakos says. “But I’ll do my best.”
Before he can say anything else, Bell rushes forward. “Audric! Julien! I’m thrilled to be back, but please don’t kill my boyfriend yet!”
A leaf flutters to the flagstone with an audible tap in the silent courtyard.
Audric and Julien pivot as one to stare at their younger brother. The root unwinds from Julien’s ankle and settles underground.
Rakos needs every last ounce of willpower not to laugh. “Bell, sweetheart. There had to be a better way to break that to them.”
“I think it was perfect.” Bell stumbles to Rakos’s side, and they reach for each other’s hands at the same time. “Audric, I can explain everything after a healer sees to Rakos.”
“I’m fine.” Rakos feels much safer against the crossbows with Bell at his side.
“That’s my line,” Bell says, before turning to his brothers. “Healer, food, nap, bath. And somewhere for Sarka to stay.”
“This is a joke, right?” Julien says, looking pale. “A nightmare? Auds, wake me up.”
Rubbing his temple, Audric turns to Julien. “Well, Lord of Greenhaven? Where should we put the dragon?”
Julien throws up his hands. “Here, I guess! Where we can keep an eye on her. I’ll tell the servants and fellcats to avoid the courtyard.”
Audric glances between Bell and Rakos again, his face unreadable. “Is the dragon safe here?”
“She’s very reasonable,” Bell assures him. “Does that work for both of you?”
“Whatever you want,” Rakos says. “We trust you.”
Sarka’s voice rumbles through all of their heads. Julien and Audric seem startled; Bell isn’t.I am happy to sit in the courtyard. Your castle windows are very wide, and it will be fun to watch people through them.
“Oh, joy,” Julien says under his breath. “Audric, could you get them to Healer Dury? I need to talk to the guards and punch a wall or two.”
