Page 17 of Snapped
Chapter 9 | Interesting
August ran up the steep incline toward the palace at a fast clip. The trees that ran alongside the road provided excellent camouflage from the riders traveling to the palace. The crests on the crates and the clothes bore the symbol of House Orion, probably brought over for the impending wedding of their former Captain, Tanis, to the Head of The Order, Raven.
One man caught August’s attention, for many reasons. He was tall and broad with thick brown sun-kissed hair that hung to his shoulders. The clothes he wore were simple…common, but they weren’t threadbare or discolored as they should be for anyone that wasn’t a higher class. This man was trying very hardnotto be noticed. Probably a guard or a member of the family, August presumed. What really drew his attention to the man was the way he searched his surroundings, very hyperaware of everything going on around him. And every fifty yards or so he would turn and look in August’s direction, almost as if he could sense there was something, or someone, there. Then his head turned to his left, searching the copse of trees, halting his horse for a few moments.
“No fucking way,” August muttered to himself. There was no way in hell the man could know that August, Robert, and a dozen or so rebels were hidden by the foliage on either side of the road they’d climbed. He’d taken the extra step of hiding his alarmingly red hair under a knit cap so as not to be noticed or look out of place. August lay on his belly in a large bramble of grass, squinting at the sun to see what the man on the horse would do. His head swiveled right, eyes once again landing on the exact spot where August lay.
A guard broke loose from the parade, circling back and speaking to the man still holding August’s attention. The stranger nodded, looking back in August’s direction once more before urging his horse to follow the others. August lay still and silent for several long moments before standing and following the narrow path the rest of the way up to the palace. The trees that lined the road circled around the wall of the palace, meeting in the back at an iron door that led inside the palace gates underground, where the guards’ quarters were. They were to wait until the sun went down and the moon rose. As soon as the darkness of night shrouded them, Cillian would meet them at the iron door, and August would finally get his vengeance for his sister’s murder.
***
Hector hopped off his horse, his feet hitting the ground of House Gaeland and leading him swiftly to the steps of the palace where his friend stood. “Hector, I trust you had safe travels?” Tanis smiled widely, meeting him at the middle step and embracing him in a bone-crushing hug.
Hector noted Raven stayed put at the top of the steps, his hands resting on Apollo’s shoulders, the two of them watching Hector and Tanis hesitantly. “Tanis, why do I see uncertainty in your husband’s eyes?”
“He worries there may be anger over me relinquishing my title over the Army of Greece and subsequently accepting the same title here, at House Gaeland with the Gardai.” Tanis turned and looked up, his eyes bright, his smile open and honest when he stared at his betrothed. Hector understood Raven’s misgivings. Hell, he’d heard more than one person say such thoughts out loud in the days and weeks after the meeting at House Orion when Tanis had stepped down, appointing Hector as his replacement. But Hector didn’t share that opinion. Standing here, witnessing the love radiating off the two men with just a shared look—if anything, he was jealous, envious…but far from angry.
Taking the few steps to the top, Hector greeted Raven with a hand on his shoulder and a smile. “Raven, I hope you’ve been well since we last spoke.” Apollo vibrated, his tiny body wanting so badly to move, run, jump—anything but stand still under his papa’s hands. Hector knelt on the step below Pol, pinching the tip of his nose. “And how about you, little man? Are you behaving?”
Pol nodded his head. “Good! I have a treat for you then.” Hector pulled a small brown bag out of his jacket pocket and handed it to the toddler.
Opening the bag and peeking in, Pol grinned, seeing the handful of figs and dates. Those mischievous blue eyes stared up at Raven, not Tanis, before asking permission. “Papa, can I?”
Raven smiled down at the boy he so obviously adored, which made Hector happier than anything else he could have witnessed that day. “Of course you can, Pol, but go wash your hands first, and don’t eat too fast, or you’ll get a tummy ache again.”
The little boy turned and ran inside the palace, shouting…“Granma, Hectie brought me treats!”
Hector stood, laughing. Tanis leaned in and whispered, “He has taken quite a liking to Raven’s mom, Gabry.”
“Hector,” Raven stepped closer, a genuine smile on his face now. “I’m thrilled you were able to make it, truly.” Knocking the outstretched hand away, Hector pulled Raven in for a hug.
Tanis grinned, clapping them both on the back, draping an arm over each man’s shoulders and leading them both inside. “So, first we eat and you’ll meet everyone, and then…” Tanis let the sentence trail off, a wry grin on his face screaming trouble.
“And then what?” Hector shoved Tanis away with his elbow.
Tanis laughed long and loud, grabbing Hector by the neck and pulling him close so he could whisper in his ear. “There’s this guard, Elliot, just yourtype.”
Hector chuffed. “And what, exactly is mytype?”
“Tall, dark and handsome with a banging body and an ass…” Tanis stopped short when his husband turned and glared at him.
“Yes? Do tell, love…an ass that—what?” Raven’s tone was short and clipped, but his eyes gleamed playfully as he questioned his partner.
Hector laughed as he turned, taking in the décor of House Gaeland and doing his best not to watch as his friend got his ass handed to him by his husband. It was Hector’s first visit to House Gaeland, and he longed to soak up the atmosphere, truly wanting to know more about his father Thomas’s home House. Niko, Hector’s papa, was born to House Orion, the second son of the Captain at the time. Much like Rian did before he and Cirian were wed, Niko traveled to all the Houses, meeting Thomas when he visited House Gaeland.
Thomas was born to House Gaeland and had been in a relationship with Marcus before he became the Geneticist within The Order. While Marcus was completing his trials to gain acceptance into The Order, Thomas had met Niko and fallen in love. Thomas had spoken with his son in the weeks leading up to Raven’s first visit to House Orion, telling him the story of his past with Marcus—how it had torn him apart to have to choose but feeling the certainty of his decision to spend his life with Niko.
“I knew the moment I set eyes on your papa, Hector; it’s hard to explain. Every fiber of my being was drawn to Niko. And though I cannot deny I loved Marcus, what I feel for your father is so much more. But, hear me now boy, the man is evil incarnate. In the years since I left Gaeland, I’ve heard many troubling things about Marcus and his beliefs. You must tell Tanis to take care when dealing with him. I fear he’s gone mad.” Thomas’s words had sent Hector rushing to warn his friend that night all those months ago. Considering the events that transpired in the days after their conversation on the docks of House Orion, Thomas’s fears were not unfounded.
“Wow, it’s just as father described.” Hector’s tone held a note of wonder. The intricate Celtic patterns that were set into the stones were almost as exquisite as the totems standing as pillars outside the doors leading into the palace.
A petite Asian woman with dark hair and soft almond-shaped eyes approached them. “Hector, this is Ainee. She stepped into the role of Priest when Raven took over as the Head of The Order.” Tanis introduced them.
They shook hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hector. If you gentlemen will follow me, everyone has already started dinner, but we can join them.” Once in the dining hall, Hector was finally introduced to Cirian, the only parent he’d yet to meet, as well as the newest member of House Gaeland, Ian.
“He is absolutely adorable, Aiya. He has your hair…but those eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen eyes quite so…illuminated.” Hector took an empty seat across the table from Aiya, Sawyer, and the baby. Raven and Tanis sat with Apollo who was all but glued to Aiya’s hip. Conversation flowed freely, much like the food and the wine. Hector paid attention whenever possible, politely responding if asked a question or having something to say about a particular topic; mostly he ate and watched the interactions between Apollo and the baby.
It was the strangest thing he’d ever seen. Having known Tanis’s son since birth, though not knowing he was Tanis’s son at the time, Hector was well aware of the boy’s hyperactive nature—constantly on the go, never still or quiet. Just being in the same room with young Ian had a calming effect on the usually bouncy boy. And his blue eyes that had always been vibrant and full of mischief were brighter, much like the baby; it was odd.
