Page 103 of Crown of Steel

“Your father called,” Amadou hums. Next to me, I feel Arthur move in his seat, and without hesitating, I grab his hand andcurl my fingers around his. “He received a call from the warden,” Amadou continues, and even without looking, I can feel his eyes on me through the rearview mirror. “He and Nathalie will be waiting in his office upon return. They have some matters to discuss.”

I swallow, thinking of something to say. My stomach clenches as the tension rises in the silence that follows.

What if this connection that has been growing between us, will be cut off before our minds have time to connect any further? My chest tightens at that doomed scenario, making my thoughts spiral.

Get in there.

No! Never again.

“Are you alright?” Arthur’s soft question makes me blink, clearing the fog from my mind. I lift my gaze only to meet his searching eyes. They are so dark, those thick, long lashes fluttering when he curls his lips into a small smile. “You are squeezing me to death here.”

My eyes drop with a startle, and when I see my white knuckles cover his palm, I try to pull back and release him. He doesn’t let me. Instead he puts pressure as he squeezes back while using his other hand to cup my face. His fingers trace the lines around my mouth then stroke my cheek.

“Your skin is cold,chaton. I’ll take you to bed, warm you up, shield you from your fears. Would you like me to?”

Yes. So badly.

“We can’t,” I choke. My chest constricts, but I’m not ready to share my dread to have our little bubble of intimacy burst so soon. “We mustn't keep our parents waiting.”

“You’re right.” Arthur’s fingers on my face halt and he lowers his gaze, searching mine once more. “Is that why you’re suddenly so tense?”

Releasing my hand from his, I turn them both into fists, frustration boiling up and spilling my words. “Aren’t you afraidof what they’ll say?” I pull my face free from his hold and blow a lost curl from my cheek before I look away in frustration. Outside the forest greets us, the bumpy road a sign that we are nearly at Monterrey Castle. “They know, Arthur. About us.” Turning back to face my stepbrother, I feel a desperation that threatens to choke me. “They will separate us.”

Everyone I love goes away. And I will be alone again.

My chest cracks and I breathe in harshly, but it’s like oxygen doesn’t reach my lungs. It stays high in my head, making me float. Making me sad, so fucking sad.

“Your mother already knew, Régis.” Arthur’s voice is low, calm, as he wraps his fingers back around mine and pulls me in once more.

“What?” I ask, bewildered. Arthur presses his hand against my shoulders and drags me, closer and closer, until my chin hits the curve between his neck and his cheek. And then his hand slides up and combs the hair in my nape calmly. I let out a heavy breath, then carefully wrap my own arm around his shoulder and turn my body as I allow myself to melt into his embrace.

“Your mother already knew,” he repeats, like it’s the most normal thing in the world. “She confronted me during Christmas. Gifted me with a picture of you, from when you were young. She promised not to tell Dad. We will have to do that now.”

Pulling back slightly, I can only stare up at him. Arthur’s hooded gaze is dark and mysterious, yet gentle like his touch. “But back at Christmas, we weren’t together yet. I mean…how did she find out?”

He shrugs, then brushes the same stubborn curl out of my face with a smile, before he drops a kiss onto my cheek. “I love your hair,” he mumbles instead, then presses his lips on mine. “We’re going to be alright, little stepbrother, I promise.”

The ominous towers of Monterrey Castle come into view as they stand out against the dark sky, welcoming us back home.Some of the stones of the impressive building are lit up in golden lights, forming the shape of a crow.

I can’t keep my eyes off it, as if the bird represents the mysterious, enticing veil of the secret brotherhood.

Alpha Fraternarii.

“We’re here,” Amadou announces after parking in one of the designated spots. Not wanting to keep our parents waiting much longer, we make our way out of the car and inside the castle, where he follows us in silence through the labyrinth of those narrow corridors, countless frames and endless golden sconces. After having taken this route numerous times, I actually start to find my way around here, the puzzle of passages slowly becoming a clearer picture.

We halt in front of Jean-Luc’s office. My heart plummets, despite Arthur’s little squeeze on my shoulder, followed by the soft kiss he presses onto my head. When he pulls away, his gaze lingers, just like the smile which instantly brings me comfort. He opens the door and right as we make our way in, we are welcomed by a barking laugh.

It’s Louis. He’s standing by the crackling fire, dressed in his football gear minus the shoes, holding a glass of champagne, laughing at something his dad just said. Jean-Luc, wearing his usual navy-blue suit that would match any of our school uniforms had we worn them tonight, accompanied by his thick, silvered mane slicked across one side of his face. He always looks so well-composed, in balance and ready to receive whoever wants a piece of him, every single bit the powerful, wealthy business magnet. He too, is holding a glass of champagne, looking relaxed and amused by Louis’s outburst. On the coffee table tens and tens of different tapas have been placed, and the record plays a soft song.

“I can see that we’re late to the party,” Arthur grins, then gestures for me to go ahead and keep on walking. I do, thethought of him following me on my tail making my shoulders slump in relief.

Louis looks up and holds out his hand for his twin to clap. “There you are.” He turns his gaze to mine and smiles. “Hi there, little s-brother.”

“Hi,” I choke out, swallowing. I let my eyes dart around until they’ve found my mother. She is standing by the window, her back toward the glass, wearing another of her usual, classy, long dresses. Her hair is pulled into a ponytail, making her smile even more prominent than I’m used to.

“Régis.” She takes a few steps toward me, and when we reach for each other, our touch is a little hesitant, though genuine. I place a kiss on each of her soft cheeks, and let her cup my face and pull me in close. “I’m so very proud of you,” she mutters, her fingers digging a little deeper into my skin.

“Son.” Jean-Luc booms, and it isn’t until Nathalie releases me, that I realize he is talking to me. I turn around, to where he is waiting for me to accept the glass of champagne he’s offering. Behind me, by the fire, Louis and Arthur are casually chatting as if we haven’t just come back from prison. Although that’s not entirely true, because I don’t miss how Arthur keeps a protective eye on me every now and then, checking in to see if I’m okay.

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