“And Green Gate has been retaken by King Caelan’s orders!” Drayce gleefully shouted. “The people know they are being fed again, thanks to their king.”
The chancellor’s face grew redder with every sentence. Her balled fists trembled at her sides, and even the ministers appeared uncomfortable. The deck was stacking against her, and everyone in the room knew it.
At least, that was what Caelan believed until Croft smiled at him. She took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, seeming to relax. “So be it. I’m keeping you with your New Rosanthe spy. We’ll see how loyal the people are when they learn you’ve chosen him over your own people.”
Caelan wanted to reply that Eno was an Erya citizen and he was choosing Erya, but he didn’t get the chance. Croft snapped her fingers and the guards ushered them to their room on the second floor, but only after the file containing Eno’s immigration and adoption information was ripped out of Rayne’s hands.
Even after the door had been slammed shut behind them, Eno continued to stand there in a daze. Rayne carefully ushered him over to the sofa and pushed him to sit down. Caelan started to walk toward him, but Drayce slammed into him, nearly knocking him on his ass. Arms wrapped tightly around his neck, threatening to cut off his air, though Caelan didn’t have the heart to complain.
Closing his eyes, he held Drayce tightly and for a moment, soaked in his warmth. Thank the gods, Drayce was safe. He’d woken countless times every night since their separation, bathed in a cold sweat from one nightmare after another in which Drayce had been killed before his eyes. None of it was true. Drayce was alive, safe, and holding him as if his life depended on it.
“We freed Green Gate just like you asked,” Drayce murmured into his hair, bringing a smile to Caelan’s lips. He’d never doubted Eno and Drayce. Even if they’d had to blow up the wall completely, he knew they’d remove the roadblock of Empire forces.
“I knew you would,” Caelan replied.
But it wasn’t what he wanted to say. He wanted to whisper, I missed you. I was so scared something would happen to you.
Drayce’s grip tightened a little more, fingers digging deep into muscle as if he wanted to leave an impression in Caelan’s bones. As if he were saying, I’m here. We’re safe. I’m never leaving you again.
Caelan closed his eyes against the sting of unshed tears. I love you.
It felt like a lifetime of words were piling up between them. Would there ever be a time they could say them all? He didn’t want to think about one of them leaving this world and Drayce never knowing how he truly felt about his best friend.
As always, now wasn’t the time to share those words.
Instead, Caelan forced a smile on his lips and teased, “Though I’m guessing that also explains why you smell so bad.”
Drayce jerked away from him, his face turning red under the grime and dirt that covered him. “Hey! Killing Empire soldiers is nasty work, and we haven’t exactly been staying in the lap of luxury the past few days.”
Caelan reached out and grabbed a lock of Drayce’s blond hair, giving it a tug. “Go jump in the shower. Clean up and relax.”
Drayce nodded, but his eyes darted over to Eno, worry overcoming the brief expression of relief. “Eno?”
“I’ll talk to him,” Caelan softly reassured him.
“I don’t care what that fucking Croft said. There’s no one more loyal to you and Erya than him. I trust him with my life.” Drayce’s brow furrowed and he glared at Caelan. “I trust him with your life.”
“Nothing has changed. Eno is one of us.”
That seemed to settle Drayce enough that he was at least willing to disappear into the bathroom. The poor man looked dead on his feet. If Caelan could get him showered and tucked into bed, it was one less person he had to worry about. Eno was going to be a much harder problem to conquer.
Eno rested his elbows on his knees and dropped his head into his hands. “You should have let her put me in prison,” he mumbled in a low, muffled voice. “I don’t want my heritage to ruin your chances of reclaiming the throne.”
Caelan’s temper shattered. The idea that Eno of all people believed he was a threat to him and Erya was a fucking crime. “I have never once doubted your loyalty to me, my mother, or the people of Erya. You would die for this kingdom. It has been and always will be your home. People like Croft aren’t worthy of breathing the same air as you. She has no idea what it means to sacrifice herself for something bigger than her own damn ego.”
Eno didn’t stir, and Caelan wanted to punch Croft all over again.