Page 72 of Sharpen Your Claws

Henry shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Not exactly.” He glanced over Nicholas’ shoulder, relieved that William slept. “I was hoping I could speak with you alone.”

“I dislike leaving William unattended.”

“We may speak here in the hall. Keep the door open slightly if you’d like, but let me know if he wakes. He will be upset if he overhears us.”

He couldn’t fathom what Henry wanted to discuss, but Nicholas would listen. He was William’s brother, a piece of the family Nicholas genuinely wanted to become a part of. To think a day would come when he yearned to impress a group of mortals. He would be a laughingstock of all of Faerie if others learned how smitten he had become, not that he would care for even a moment. Once, he might have, and he didn’t miss that part of him even a little.

Stepping into the hall, he left the door open enough to glimpse William sleeping on the bed. He faced Henry, who stood stiffly, like he hadn’t any confidence in the world.

“What is it that you want to discuss?”

“Surely you overheard our conversation earlier? Our tiff before your father appeared,” said Henry.

“I did,” he replied. Mortals had horrendous hearing.

“I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter.”

He was rarely rendered speechless, but Henry had succeeded.

“More specifically, I would appreciate it if you gave me advice on how to proceed,” Henry said after the prolonged silence.

“Proceed with what?” He checked on William. He understood now why Henry wanted to talk in private. If William woke to hear them discussing him, he would be out there in an instant.

“He seems to believe we think differently of him, but clearly telling him otherwise doesn’t work. You were with him during the war, and I am not asking for you to share any secrets. However, if you have advice, I would appreciate it.”

No one came to him for advice. He would be the last person to give any, too, and yet, he was unbearably excited to receive Henry’s request. So overjoyed, he hardly resisted the urge to jump and kick his feet. William’s brother saw him as someone to confide in. A part of him always wanted that with his family and now he had it, a little moment of it, but better than none.

Although that mirth was short-lived as he was the one lacking confidence in this area. Henry was right that William struggled with how his family perceived him as well as himself.

“I wasn’t at William’s side long,” he admitted, thinking of how his life changed from their first encounter.

He laughed, remembering how William shot him in front of everyone and how he so easily challenged Nicholas over everything. He had been drawn to William since day one, though for entirely different reasons.

“William thinks so highly of his family, so much so that I envy all of you,” he said. “I wish he felt such happiness with me as he does with all of you, but that also means you can bring about his greatest sorrow. He believes he has done horrible things and that you’d hate him should you learn the truth, but if I am being honest with you, I think telling you the truth is exactly what he needs.”

“Would he?” Henry whispered.

“Not without much toil.”

“As if we would expect anything less.”

Nicholas smiled. “Yes, he would not be William without a fight.”

“Broaching such a topic will not come easily to me, either.”

“Just ask,” he said. “Do not sugarcoat your words. Sit him down and tell him what you want to hear, so long as you truly believe you can accept whatever the answer is.”

“I can.” Henry had a sternness about him that Nicholas respected. He hadn’t known the man long, but Henry showed courage and strength in the face of adversity. He was no doubt William’s brother, even if they showed their merit in different ways.

“I will,” Henry repeated. “I have met many survivors of the war and I have heard their tales of horror. William has his. Our family knows it, has heard him whimpering in the dark and seen the hollowness of his eyes. There is sorrow in us too upon realizing that there is so little we can do, but we end up running in a circle exactly because of that. We don’t take a step forward and neither does he so we’re always ten paces away from each other and that must change.”

Henry settled a hand on Nicholas’ shoulder, firm and true. “I appreciate you talking to me, and should you need advice when being,” he smirked impishly, “properly introduced to the rest of our family, I will help and intervene in case of a catastrophe.”

He suspected Henry knew more than he let on, certainly more than William believed. His reaction proved as such and eased Nicholas knowing that one of William’s brothers accepted their relationship, so much so that he would stand beside them.

“That is kind of you, but I am quite charming, so I am unlikely to need your assistance,” he replied teasingly.

“William is the baby of the household, so unfortunately for you, that means you have more than parents to win over.” Henry placed his hands in front of his waist, pointing his nose skyward in poised arrogance. “I am much more understanding than our brothers and more intelligent, of course.”

---