Page 18 of King's Warrior

“No. As I said, I merely wish to take Yarif home. And who threatened you? Rufe?”

“I’m afraid your dear captain is still in a tricky condition. He was more injured than he let on.” Niam met and held Draylon’s gaze. “No. Someone far more dangerous than any military man has threatened me.”

“Who?”

“Yarif’s overbearing aunt.” Niam shrugged. “Who also happens to be my mother. Congratulations. Through no fault of your own,or so I’m led to believe, you’re now a part of the Delletinian royal family. Let the cries of ‘traitor!’ begin.”

Chapter Six

After four days, Mother finally allowed Yarif visitors. Draylon sat in a chair by the bed when Niam entered the room.

“Your Majesty.” Yarif struggled a moment to rise, finally collapsing back onto the bed.

A warning glance from Mother said as good as words,Don’t comment on his appearance.

Niam put up a staying hand toward the pale man lying on the bed, doing his best to follow his mother’s unspoken command. No wonder she had allowed no one into this room until now. Niam fought to keep his voice calm. His outrage at Yarif’s condition wouldn’t calm the victim. “No, you must call me Niam or cousin in private.” He recalled a pleasant memory of a chubby-cheeked toddler. “I believe the last time we met you referred to me as ‘Neem.’”

Niam searched Yarif’s face, finding traces of the chubby-cheeked boy he’d once been. Shadows underscored his eyes, and his cheekbones stood out over hollow cheeks. Niam fought not to flinch at his cousin’s blatant mistreatment. He’d love to find the perpetrators. Oh, the pain he’d inflict.

“I don’t remember that,” Yarif said, voice surprisingly strong for someone who appeared so physically weak. His spirit survived. Good.

Niam drew closer, ignoring Draylon’s attempt to put himself between Yarif and potential danger. Danger? Hah! Niam had nothing but love for his cousin, though the political world of Draylon’s youth might not have provided proper examples of familial affection.

“How could you remember?” Niam asked. “You were just a babe in arms. I’m very sorry Mother and I couldn’t be an active part of your life, but as it was, even while your mother lived, our visits were clandestine because of our tenuous relationship with the empire. Once she passed, your father forbade any contact.”May the bastard suffer in the afterlife.

“I’m sorry as well. Would you mind telling me what I missed while I was sleeping? About yourself?”

After all he’d been through, Yarif wanted to know about someone else. Niam’s esteem for his cousin grew.

Draylon headed for the door. Niam and Yarif said as one, “Stay.”

Draylon obeyed, sitting in a chair farther from the bed than the chair Niam had claimed. Both men would be more comfortable watching over the other while Niam visited. Even without hearing their murmured reunion, Niam couldn’t deny the obvious regard these two men held for each other.

What could Niam say? He longed to find out about Yarif’s abduction, but not at the price of wearing him out. How much did he already know? Mother had to have been filling his head withtales of the family. “Well, I grew up here in the mountains. My father was a just king. I hope to live up to his legacy.”

“I don’t remember much about those times.” Yarif twisted his hands together in his lap, keeping his eyes firmly trained on the action.

Niam nodded, his lips drawn into a thin line at his cousin’s discomfort. He recalled a shy child hiding his face in his mother’s hair, then peeking out again. After several moments of playing coy, he’d finally grinned, displaying two bottom teeth.

On the next visit, he’d held out a toy soldier for Niam’s inspection. “Come pway, Neem. Pway.” They spent the afternoon playing toy soldiers while their mothers talked. Yarif put the longing in Niam’s heart for children of his own, which was the reason he’d taken Alyss as his queen consort, resulting in Quillan and Uri’s arrival.

Gods, Niam missed the boys. What would they think of these visitors?

Niam would do anything to make things right for his cousin. How old was Yarif? Early twenties? Nearly the same age as when Niam became king. “I was nineteen when my father died. I took the throne and married the daughter of a noble house. She gave me two sons, Quillan and Uri. We ended the marriage, and she returned home to marry her lover.” Niam couldn’t deny Alyss her love, though he’d yet to find such a connection himself.

Yarif’s mouth dropped open. “What?”

Niam shrugged, not sparing a glance to gauge Draylon’s reaction. Mother, no doubt, saw all. “I needed heirs; her father wanted status. We became and still are friends. She visits the boys often.”

Yarif looked up, a spark of excitement in his eyes. “Where are they? Can I see them?”

“Unfortunately, no. They couldn’t make this trip because of their studies, but I hope one day you can.” Was Yarif even aware of how much family he had?

“Why have you never remarried?”

Most would consider the question rude, but there was no telling what herbs went into Yarif’s healing potions. Some of the more common ones took a toll on one’s manners. “I now have heirs, so there is no need. My mother fills the role of lady of the castle.”

“That sounds lonely.” Yarif had recently lost his father and brother. Yes, he’d know about loneliness.

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