Page 213 of Golden Eagle

And Val remembered sturdy arms around him, helping him steady and aim his bow. Remembered a hand clasping his, and the smell of street vendors, and the oohs and ahhs of the crowd as acrobats defied gravity. Remembered the warmth of the bed they’d shared when they were so small, soft furs tickling their chins, and the scent of Vlad on the pillows, familiar and comforting.

“You were a good big brother. And I think you were always trying to be, even when things were awful. And I think you’re being one again, now.”

Vlad kept staring. Val wasn’t sure he was even breathing.

“You’ve scared most people.” Val offered a smile. “But you don’t scare me.”

A beat passed. Then Vlad nodded, curtly, and went back to inspecting his knives. “That’s. Well.”

When it became apparent he wouldn’t continue, Val changed the subject. “How goes the war effort, brother? Or should I sayImperator?” He chuckled over the title.

Vlad – as expected – didn’t join in his amusement. “We don’t have to speak of that. You–”

“Vlad.” When his brother glanced over, he said, “I’m worried for you.”

Vlad frowned. “Worried forme?”

“Gods, we don’t have to go through the whole ‘I care about you’ song and dance again, do we? Yes, I’m worried. You vowed to kill him or die trying. And I can’t stop thinking about that.”

“Val, this is what I was bred for. I’m a second son. I’m the one always meant to dedicate his life to battle – to defending my family, even if I’m defending it from other parts of our family. You don’t need to worry. I will gladly–”

“Lay down your life, yes, I’m painfully aware. And thatterrifiesme.”

Vlad shifted so he faced him, one hand braced on the edge of the table. “Is that why you did it?”

“Did what?” But his pulse skipped, because he knew.

“Why you crippled me and dragged me out of the that tower. Why you put me to sleep.” He didn’t snarl, but his lips curled enough to show the glint of one sharp fang.

Val swallowed. “You know it is. They would have killed you.”

“Then so be it. I was prepared to die. Better at the hands of Matthias Corvinus than Mehmet.”

“I wasn’t going to let that happen.”

“It’s not foryouto protectme–”

“You’re my brother!” When Vlad fell silent, teeth clicking together as his jaw shut, Val realized he’d shouted. And then he kept shouting. “I don’t care if you’re older! I don’t care if you’re the fiercest warrior who ever lived! You’re my brother, and if I can protect you, I will. I don’t want you dead, Vlad. Putting you to sleep that night was the worst thing I’ve ever done, but I could live with it because I knew it meant I’d saved your life.

“You – you took on an entire mansion by yourself to set me free. To protect me, because we’re brothers. Don’t tell me you’re off to die and expect me not to worry. Don’t tell me it’s none of my concern what you’re planning. I just – I just got you back. Finally got you back. And now you’re…” His chest was too tight; he couldn’t breathe. “Why is it alright for me to live it up in New York while you go off to war, and don’t youdaregive me thatolder brothershit again!”

He was panting. Felt sweat sliding down the back of his neck, under his hair. Was probably shaking in Mia’s arms, a trembling wreck on a Central Park bench.

Vlad said, “Are you finished?”

He huffed.

“I’ll give you an honest answer, but you won’t like it.”

“Try me.”

“Do you remember what you told me when we fought here?”

Val’s arms weak, shaking as he tried to meet the strike of Vlad’s sword with his own; the glint in Vlad’s eyes – not of hatred, he now knew, but determination.

“You said,” Vlad continued, “that you wanted a chance to live. To be free and not bother anyone. And now you have a mate, and you have friends, and you’re exploring the new world for the first time in nearly six centuries. You have reasons to live.” He met his stare with a steady, relentless one of his own. Not with sadness, nor even resignation, but with an assuredness that sent a chill skittering down Val’s back. “And I don’t.”

Val’s breath caught. “No. You – you do. Vlad, youdo.”

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