Page 114 of Across an Endless Sea

Behind him, Prae is being escorted by Kendel and Merith on both sides. The knights stop a good distance away, but close enough that I can see Caed watching me intently, waiting for me to give some reaction as he’s forced to his knees.

I ignore him.

“Welcome home, Bram,” I say instead, with a little smile that almost feels genuine.

The fox around his neck gives a little shake, then leaps the short distance to the floor and shifts back to the grubby male from the caves.

Florian—uncaring of our brother’s nakedness and reek—rushes forward and envelops him in the biggest bear hug. Bram flinches at first but then relaxes.

“I should never have left,” Bram croaks.

“I was wrong to push you,” Florian replies, his voice equally hoarse. “I knew you hated conflict. I should’ve been less…”

“Bossy? Demanding?” Bram suggests.

“I was going to say stubborn,” Florian snorts.

My eyes flick to Caed, and then to Prae, both of whom are staring, dumbfounded at the two males still holding on to one another. If Caed had known who he was bringing back, he would’ve used Bram as a bargaining chip.

As if sensing my stare, Caed’s eyes flick up to meet mine, and I see the knowledge of just how badly he got played run across his face.

I allow the ghost of a smirk to whisper across my lips. Bringing my brother home is worth listening to whatever story he’s about to spew.

Florian tugs off his own cloak and offers it to Bram, guiding him over to one side. Our youngest brother shakes his head, then pops back into his fox form instead.

With them out of the way, there’s nothing between Caed and me save a few scant feet of floor space.

Drystan covers that distance with three long strides. I frown as I watch him, wondering what on earth he’s up to, then clench my fists in Wraith’s fur as he crouches down, putting himself eye-to-eye with Caed.

“Use my face again, and I’ll melt yours from your skull,” he promises.

No violence, just a dark threat.

“Noted,” Caed smirks, somehow unaffected by the deadly tone. “For the record, pretending to be that ugly was downright painful.”

I can’t see his expression, but Drystan’s shoulders tense, and the smell of smoke blankets the room. A storm is visibly brewing between them, and I look at Jaro, pleading with my eyes for him to stop them before the fight can break out.

“This is pointless,” I whisper.

Jaro—who looks like he’d happily let Drystan pummel Caed—sighs reluctantly and wades between the two.

“You came here to speak to the Nicnevin,” he says to Caed, while placing one restraining hand on Drystan’s arm and using it to pull him upright. “So speak. But don’t even think of wasting her time or—”

“I suppose privacy isn’t an option?” Caed asks.

“You’ve lost all right to be alone with her,” Drystan hisses.

“You can be alone with me!” Lore suggests, dropping down from the branches above. “I can think of plenty we can get up to in a little dark room with a few knives and…”

He trails off, a disturbing dreamy expression rolling over his face. Behind Caed, Prae snickers, and I grimace.

“You can let her go,” I say to Kendel and Merith.

Everyone in the room gives me a look, but I don’t pay them any attention. The knights do as I say, releasing her and stepping back. Prae remains on her knees, looking quizzically at me as she rubs her wrists.

“You really do have the worst self-preservation instincts,” she mutters.

Ignoring her comment, I offer her a small smile. “I made you an offer before. I meant it.”

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