Page 135 of An Archer's Reckoning

I raised a brow at Ridley’s new confidence—and blatant insubordination.

The ceiling-high doors of the Captain-Commander’s office squealed open to reveal Albius sitting behind his desk, glaring down at a stack of papers. When he looked up, an almost comedic mix of annoyance at being disturbed, then relief at my sudden appearance passed across his face.

“Rea, about fucking time you reported for duty. The whole damn city burned while you were off playing holiday.” The Commander rose and glared across his desk.

A heartbeat passed.

Then two.

Then ten.

Finally, the man’s granite cracked. He rounded his desk and strode toward me so fast I couldn’t hope to dodge his outstretched arms. I’d never been hugged by Albius before. It was a bit like getting whacked by a mason’s mallet and squeezed in a vice all at once.

Oddly, it was not unpleasant.

Especially when the bear of a man’s laughter vibrated my soul.

“It’s good to have you back, boy,” he muttered in my ear. As if catching himself, he jerked back. “Spirits, I’m getting fucking soft. Lieutenant, report.”

Albius leaned against his desk and looked up expectantly.

I noticed someone seated in a chair facing the desk and cocked a brow.

“Oh, right,” Albius said. “I should’ve introduced my guest first.”

Without warning, the man leaped up, rounded his chair, and slammed into me, sending us both tumbling to the floor. I threw my arms forward to push my assailant back. Unruly blond hair flew in all directions.

I gripped the man by both shoulders and pulled him close, losing any semblance of composure. Declan laughed freely as he buried his head in my shoulder, while I, ever stoic, wept loudly and gripped my brother tighter than I ever had as a child.

“Oh, Spirits, little brother . . . You’re safe. You’re really safe,” I whispered over and over. “Dec—”

“I’m here, Kee. We’re all right.”

The strength in Declan’s voice startled me more than his appearance. My hands still gripping his shoulders, I pulled back and looked into his eyes.

“Dec, who . . . what’s happened to you?”

Commander Albius went to stand beside Ridley. The rugged man who carried the weight of the world—andneversmiled—was grinning as broadly as Ridley.

“When you two finish making out, let me know. I’d like Lieutenant Rea’s report,” Albius said with a chuckle in his voice.

Declan and I untangled ourselves and bumbled our way to our feet. Both of us wiped fresh tears from our faces.

“What isthat?” I finally noticed Declan’s tunic and whistled. “Your taste in clothes certainly changed while I was gone.”

Childish mischief sparked in Declan’s eyes right before the tunic flared a brilliant gold and the Phoenix practically flew off his chest. I stumbled back a few steps, my eyes wide and mouth agape. The tunic dimmed, then returned to Ranger green.

Declan laughed. “Just a souvenir from my trip. You always tell me to bring something back when I go away.”

My eyes bugged, and Declan laughed harder.

“I’ll tell you all about it later. There’s a lot . . . to catch up on.”

Well, that was a mysterious tease.

The Captain-Commander cleared his throat, and all eyes turned.

“Gentlemen, please sit. I really do need to hear Keelan’s report. The people will start returning in the morning, and we have little time to enjoy reunions.” Albius sat at his conference table and motioned for us to do the same. When Ridley turned to leave, Albius gripped his arm.

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